The Redskins are 1-1 on the road and the Panthers are 1-2 at home so far this year.  The Redskins are giving John Beck his first start at QB, while the Panthers are going with the very suddenly average looking Cam Newton.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  QB John Beck gets a nice soft defense to make his starting debut against.  The Redskins will likely lean on the run a little bit, at least early in the game.  Tim Hightower and Ryan Torain will likely do most of the heavy lifting against a Panthers’ D that is allowing 140.3 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry so far this year.  The Redskins O-Line has had a few injuries, which means they will have a couple of new starters.  The Redskins’ QBs have been sacked 10 times already this year, so it will be up to the line to give John Beck time to throw the ball and take advantage of the Panthers’ sub-standard secondary.  WR Santana Moss and TE Fred Davis could be in line for big games this Sunday.

When the Panthers have the ball:  The Panthers would be smart to run the ball a little more this weekend in an effort to control the clock.  Cam Newton didn’t look too good last weekend against the Falcons and the Redskins have a much better secondary than them.  DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Cam Newton give the Panthers a potential really solid running game if they would use it more.  Instead, they have been a big time passing team, which really worked o.k. in the first couple of weeks.  But, Cam Newton looked like the rookie he is last weekend against the Falcons.  The Redskins will likely double WR Steve Smith and dare Newton to beat them by throwing to someone else.  TEs Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen will also need the full attention of the Redskins’ secondary.

PREDICTION:  PANTHERS 24, REDSKINS 20

The Redskins used the bye week to get ready for some revenge this weekend against the floundering Philadelphia Eagles, who have lost four straight games.  The last time the Eagles paid the Redskins a visit, they thumped them 59-28 and Michael Vick was responsible for six TDs (4 passing and 2 rushing) as the Eagles rolled up 592 total yards on offense!  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins are going to come out running the ball in an effort to control the clock.  Look for Ryan Torain, Tim Hightower and Roy Helu to share the ball to keep them all fresh this Sunday.  The Eagles are giving up 140.2 yards rushing per game and 5.0 yards per carry so far this year, so the Redskins should have success with their game plan.  The Eagles have 16 sacks already this year, so Rex Grossman is going to have to get rid of the ball quickly in this game.  That means that Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney, Fred Davis, Chris Cooley and Anthony Armstrong are going to have to get yards after the catch and take some hits.

When the Eagles have the ball:  The Redskins are much more equipped to deal with Michael Vick and his cohorts this time around.  The Redskins have 15 sacks already this year, so they are going to put a lot of pressure on Michael Vick.  If they can contain him in the pocket, the Redskins are going to have a good chance of slowing down the Eagles’ offense.  The front seven is also going to have to deal with RB Lesean McCoy, who is a great all-around weapon in both the running and passing game.  The Redskins need to keep WRs Desean Jackson, Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin in front of them this Sunday.

PREDICTION:  REDSKINS 30, EAGLES 27

The Washington Redskins lost a tough game last weekend and they look to rebound and get back on track against the Rams in St. Louis.  The Rams are going downhill fast as they have played lousy football on both sides of the ball.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins likely want to be more balanced and this sets up to be the perfect game to feed the ball to Tim Hightower and Roy Helu.  The Rams are giving up a stunning 174.3 yards rushing per game and 5.4 yards per carry so far this year, and the Redskins are going to be aiming at it all day long.  The Rams are equally as awful against the pass (252.0 yards per game), so look for Rex Grossman to attack them down the field as long as the O-Line gives Rex Grossman time to throw the ball.  WRs Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney and Anthony Armstrong are matchup problems for the weak secondary of the Rams.  TEs Fred Davis and Chris Cooley are also likely to have good games this Sunday.

When the Rams have the ball:  The Rams are going to have RB Steven Jackson back in full this weekend, so the linebackers of the Redskins better be ready.  The Redskins are going to have to get after Sam Bradford and hit him a few times as he has already been sacked 12 times this year.  Bradford likes to drive the ball down the field to WRs Brandon Gibson, Mike Sims-Walker and Danario Alexander, so he will have success throwing the ball if the has time to do so.

PREDICTION:  REDSKINS 23, RAMS 21

This should be a very interesting game as the Cowboys and Redskins split last season’s two meetings, with each team winning on their home field.  It could be different this time around as the Cowboys are pretty banged up right now.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins are going to try to come out somewhat balanced in this game by making sure that Tim Hightower and Roy Helu get their fair share of cracks running the ball against a Cowboys’ D that is only allowing 59.5 yards rushing per game and 3.0 yards per carry so far this year.  The Redskins are going to have to make sure that they give Rex Grossman time to throw the ball as the Cowboys already have 10 sacks on the season (4 by OLB DeMarcus Ware).  If Grossman has time to throw the ball, he’s going to have a big day as he threw for 322 yards and 4 TDs in his lone start against the Cowboys last year.  The Cowboys have a lot of backups playing in the secondary due to injuries, so TE Kellen Davis and WRs Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney and Anthony Armstrong could all have big games this Sunday.

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys are a passing team, so look for Tony Romo (fractured rib) to be throwing the ball a lot on Monday Night.  The Redskins are likely going to be blitzing a lot in this game to try to force Romo into making some mistakes with the football.  The Cowboys will likely be without both starting WRs (Dez Bryant and Miles Austin) due to injury.  That means that WRs Jesse Holley and Kevin Ogletree will need to step up.  TE Jason Witten caught 13 passes for 167 yards (12.8 avg) with 1 TD grab against the Redskins last year, so the safeties are going to have to step up.  Starting RB Felix Jones has a separated shoulder but he’s still going to try to gut it out for the Cowboys on Monday Night.  The front seven will need to show him what a bad decision he is making by playing.

PREDICTION:  REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 20

The Washington Redskins looked great against the Giants last weekend.  Now the Cardinals come calling to Washington this Sunday.  It’s going to be another solid challenge for the Redskins.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  Tim Hightower is going to want a piece of his old team, but the Redskins are going to want to stay balanced offensively this Sunday.  Rex Grossman and the offense has to be licking their chops after watching game film of the Panthers/Cardinals game last weekend.  If Cam Newton and his gang can throw all over the Cardinals defense, the Redskins should have a field day.  If the offensive line gives Grossman time to throw the ball, he will likely spread it around to Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney, Anthony Armstrong, Chris Cooley and Fred Davis…with likely a lot of success.

When the Cardinals have the ball:  The Cardinals were pretty balanced last week, so the defense is going to have to be on their toes.  The front seven is going to have to deal with Beanie Wells (90 yards rushing, TD), while also putting pressure on Kevin Kolb.  DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson are going to have their hands full with Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet.  The safeties are going to have to deal with TEs Jeff King and Todd Heap, and the Redskins are going to need O.J. Atogwe and Reed Doughty to step up.

PREDICTION:  REDSKINS 30, CARDINALS 27

The Giants swept the Redskins last year by a combined score of 48-21.  A lot has changed since then as the Redskins were adding a lot of players while the Giants were subtracting players.  The Giants’ D has also been hit with a lot of injuries, especially in the secondary, which is going to even things out a lot tomorrow.  Here is a look at the matchups tomorrow:

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins are going to get back to the kind of football that Mike Shanahan wants to play starting tomorrow.  Look for Tim Hightower to get 25-30 carries in this game against a very so-so front seven on the Giants’ D.  This will allow the Redskins to control the clock and keep their defense on the sidelines.  Rex Grossman’s strength is throwing the deep ball.  If the Redskins give him time to throw the ball, he’s going to be looking deep to Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong.  Armstrong caught 8 passes for 181 yards (22.6 avg) with 2 TD grabs against the Giants last year.  WR Jabar Gaffney and TE Fred Davis will handle the short stuff in the passing game for the Skins.

When the Giants have the ball:  Inside linebackers London Fletcher, Rocky McIntosh and NT Barry Cofield are going to have to control the middle of the field against the Giants’ running game.  They did well against Ahmad Bradshaw last year (3.0 ypc) but not so good against Brandon Jacobs (6.9 ypc, 3 TD runs).  The Redskins can’t afford to let the Giants run the ball tomorrow.  If they can slow the Giants’ running game a bit, then they can turn OLBs Brian Orakpo and rookie Ryan Kerrigan after Eli Manning.  Manning  makes some horrible decisions when the heat is on.  Still, WRs Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham are both really dangerous.

PREDICTION:  REDSKINS 23, GIANTS 20

The Redskins are playing for pride now and they can spoil the year for the Giants with a win tomorrow.  The Redskins have played pretty well the last three weeks despite being 1-2 as they have been outscored 67-66.  The Giants have lost two games in a row in which they have been outscored 83-48!  The Giants need a win over the Redskins and a loss by the Packers against the backups of the Bears to make the playoffs.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins are likely to be wide open on offense in this game with nothing to lose.  I look for them to run a balanced attack with Ryan Torain toting the rock on the ground and Rex Grossman chucking the ball deep to Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong.  The Redskins will have to establish a running game with Torain against a Giants’ D that is allowing 103.5 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry to help slow the Giants’ pass rush.  The Giants have 44 sacks already this year and the Redskins have allowed 44 sacks this year.  To combat the Giants’ heavy pass rush the Redskins could throw shorter passes to TE Chris Cooley and RB Keiland Williams out of the backfield.

When the Giants have the ball:  The Redskins are going to have to sack up to stop the Giants’ running game!  The Giants are averaging 141.2 yards rushing per game and 4.7 yards per carry so the Redskins must be ready to slow down Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.  Hakeem Nicks is out with a broken toe in this game so the Redskins will have to key Mario Manningham and Kevin Boss in this game.  Eli Manning has 24 interceptions this year so look for DeAngelo Hall to have a good chance of catching a pass or two from him tomorrow.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 24, REDSKINS 20

The Redskins have lost four games in a row and six of their last seven games.  That being said they played hard last week with Rex Grossman at QB and the Jags don’t exactly have much of a D.  The Jaguars are 5-2 at home this year and they are tied atop the AFC South with the Colts, so this is a very big game for them.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins might throw caution to the wind and let Rex Grossman chuck the ball around the field.  The Jaguars don’t have much of a pass rush which will give Grossman time to take deep shots down the field.  The Jaguars are giving up 255.6 yards passing per game this year and opposing QBs have a 100.2 QB Rating against them.  They will also give the ball quite a few times to Ryan Torain to keep the offense somewhat balanced as the Jaguars are allowing 115.9 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry.

When the Jaguars have the ball:  The Redskins will need to tighten up the chinstraps because the Jaguars are averaging 151.4 yards rushing per game and 4.7 yards per carry.  That means the front seven is going to have to deal with Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings all game long.  The Redskins are going to need big games from their corners and safeties in this game because they don’t have much of a pass rush.  David Garrard is very effective off playaction and he likes to take shots down the field to Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas.  The Redskins’ safeties are going to also be challenged by TE Marcedes Lewis who is having a breakout season for the Jags.

PREDICTION:  JAGUARS 26, REDSKINS 23

The Redskins are spinning out of control as they have lost five of their last six games.  Now Mike Shanahan is changing QBs, deciding to go with Rex Grossman over Donovan McNabb.  The Cowboys are 3-2 with Jason Garrett calling the shots and they have scored 160 points in those games.  The Redskins won the season opener for these teams but that was a long time ago.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  I have a feeling that the Redskins are going to come out running the ball against the Cowboys with Ryan Torain.  He should be able to find some running room against a Cowboys’ D that is allowing 112.7 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  If Rex Grossman has time to throw the ball he will look to get vertical in the passing game with deep shots to WRs Santana Moss & Anthony Armstrong against a Cowboys’ D that is allowing 254.4 yards passing per game.  TE Chris Cooley will also give the Cowboys’ secondary fits in this game.

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys are likely going to come out running the ball against the Redskins this weekend.  Felix Jones & Tashard Choice will be taking aim at a Redskins’ D that is allowing 134.4 yards rushing per game and 4.9 yards per carry.  Jon Kitna will also get to take some shots at a Redskins’ D that is allowing 260.5 yards passing per game so far this year.  Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Roy Williams could all have big games if the Redskins don’t get much pressure on Kitna.

PREDICTION:  COWBOYS 30, REDSKINS 20

The Redskins have lost 4 of their last 5 games as the season is going down the toilet.  The Buccaneers have lost two games in a row but they are 7-0 against teams under .500 so far this year.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  It looks like the Redskins are going to have Ryan Torain back this Sunday which should allow the offense to be more balanced.  The Buccaneers are giving up 128.5 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry so the Redskins should be able to run the ball better than usual.  Donovan McNabb should have time to throw the ball and he could have some success especially attacking CB E.J. Biggers with WR Anthony Armstrong who I think is going to have a big game. 

When the Buccaneers have the ball:  The Bucs are going to come out running the ball with LeGarrette Blount against a Redskins’ D that is allowing 137.0 yards rushing per game and 5.0 yards per carry.  The Redskins are going to have to send Brian Orakpo after Josh Freeman, because if he has time to throw the ball he’s likely going to do some damage.  WR Mike Williams & TE Kellen Winslow are his favorite targets in the passing game.

PREDICTION:  BUCCANEERS 30, REDSKINS 27