News

Actions

Wayne's pregame primer II: When Wash. has ball

Posted at 12:00 AM, Jan 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-09 12:54:03-05
Kirk Cousins against the Green Bay defense
 
I can’t believe I am going to say this, but no one is playing quarterback better than Kirk Cousins right now!
 
Since week seven, Cousins has completed 72.4% of his passes, 23 TD passes and just 3 interceptions with a passer rating of 119.1.
 
He has been outstanding in eight home games this season, completing 74.7% of his passes, 16 TD's and 2 interceptions, a 117.0 rating.
 
The Redskins use a short, quick-hitting passing attack early, taking advantage of receivers like Jamison Crowder in the slot, veteran DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon on the outside.
 
This gets Cousins into a good rhythm and comfort zone. It also keeps him clean in the pocket, with just 27 sacks.
 
In this offense, Cousins’ confidence has soared!  In this mode they rely on their receivers to make plays after the catch.
 
For the Packers, tackling on the flank of the play is always at a premium, but especially this week and especially early in the game.
 
The Redskins take their shots down field to Jackson deep and the super skilled tight end Jordan Reed down the seam.
 
Alfred Morris vs. Green Bay linebackers and defensive line
 
The Redskins have struggled to run the football this season, averaging just 98 yards a game and 3.7 per play.
 
Alfred Morris (751 rushing yards, 3.7 average) is very capable, having rushed for 2,888 yards from 2012 to 2013, second only to Adrian Peterson over that span.
 
That production came with a lot of wear and tear and Morris with almost a thousand touches in his career is not quite as explosive as he once was.  He remains determined, runs with low pad level and the outside stretch play is his specialty.
 
Green Bay gives up 115.6 yards rushing per game, ranking 12th in the NFL. That is a bit misleading because down to down, they do a very credible job defending the run.
 
Just ask Adrian Peterson of Minnesota who was held under 100 yards in both games against Green Bay this season.
 
The big play, especially of late, has gashed the statistics of the Packers run defense.
 
Darren McFadden of Dallas ripped off runs of 50 and 45 yards, Ameer Abdullah had a 36 yarder and Adam Thielen went 41 yards on a fake punt in the NFC North Division title game. 
 
I really like the Packers' run defense in this game with Mike Daniels, B.J. Raji and stout Mike Pennel penetrating the line of scrimmage against a rushing attack that has shown very little punch.
 
Tight end Jordan Reed vs. safety Micah Hyde
 
Jordan Reed is quite simply one of the best receivers in the NFL! He posted a team leading 87 receptions for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns.
 
He is extremely skilled, disciplined in his route running, commands the seam route with authority, is too fast for linebacker coverage, too quick for most safeties and too big for cornerbacks.
 
He is the single biggest matchup problem on the field Sunday either way!
 
Micah Hyde will get the call more often than not on the third-year target out of Florida. Hyde brings safety size and skills with cornerback instincts.
 
The Packers will have to shade another safety to Reed and hope the outside coverage against veteran Pierre Garcon and speedster DeSean Jackson holds up.
 
That coverage assignment will be up to Quinten Rollins and Damarious Randall the two rookies on the outside while Casey Hayward keeps tabs on quick Jamison Crowder in the slot.