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NFL Week Five Preview: Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens

By Eric Robinson

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) prepares for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) prepares for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) celebrates with Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) celebrates with Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Washington Will Win 

Losses to Pittsburgh and Dallas to kick off the season was not the ideal start that head coach Jay Gruden and the Redskins were looking for. A key win over rival New York Giants was powered by quarterback Kirk Cousins and his 296 yards and two touchdowns. Quietly, the offense is seventh-best in the league thanks to Cousins and his 1,172 yards, six touchdowns, along with four interceptions. His quartet of receivers have made life easier for him. Receiver Desean Jackson averages 16.3 yards per catch with 15 receptions for 243 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Jordan Reed leads the team in catches (25) and yards (263) while tying of the team-lead (2) in touchdowns with receiver Jamison Crowder (18/196/2). Wily veteran wide-out Pierre Garcon has also contributed (17/170/0). The run game hasn’t provided much spark behind starter Matt Jones (267 yards, 2 TDs) but the offense totaled 145 yards on the ground this past week against Cleveland.

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden looks on from the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden looks on from the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Giving up 413.5 yards per game, the defense doesn’t have a ton to be positive about but what has aided the defense in their two wins was turnovers. The defense have racked up six turnovers the past two weeks after only accumulating two combined turnovers in their first two games. Outside linebacker Trent Murphy leads the team in sacks with four to go along with his two forced fumbles. Linebackers Will Compton and Mason Foster are first and second respectively in tackles with 37 & 34. Free agent addition Josh Norman has played solid for the most part this season but a unit that is decimated by injuries is forced to depend on Norman as if he’s Superman.

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