For the Washington Redskins, Week Three of the NFL regular season brings the second-highest rated passer and two of the more dangerous wide receivers in the league. The Arizona Cardinals invade FedEx Field on Sunday and intend to improve their record to 3-0 for the first since 1974.
Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are both top-10 wideouts, with a combined 23 catches for 306 yards and four touchdowns. Big plays are the name of the game. But Cardinals' quarterback Kurt Warner (the NFL's second-rated passer with 128.5 quarterback rating) is also capable of long, patient drives as well, presenting an interesting dilemma for the Redskins' defense.
In a win over the Miami Dolphins last week, Warner posted a perfect passer rating, 158.3, while completing 19 passes on 24 attempts for 362 yards and 3 touchdowns. It was the third time in Warner's career he has reached the mark.
With the Cardinals' running game being less than stellar (averaging only 2.7 yards per attempt through two games this season), the Redskins are sure to press the issue this week. Warner has been known to be susceptible to pressure, and the Redskins are sure to press Boldin and Fitzgerald at the line of scrimmage and attack Warner and the running game.
The Cardinals surely noticed the performance of New York Giants' wide receiver Plaxico Burress in the Redskins' Week One loss. Burress used his size to "box out" Redskins' defenders to collect 10 passes for 133 yards. Warner and the Cardinals' offense will hope to do the same thing with Boldin and Fitzgerald.
Cardinals' right tackle Levi Brown and left tackle Mike Gandy could be the keys for the Cardinals. Each will have his hands full this week, as they face Redskins' defensive ends Andre Carter (a half sack and seven tackles)and Jason Taylor (one sack and six tackles).
While the Redskins' defense has posted only four sacks in their first two games, they have provided consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Last week, the Redskins pressured Saints quarterback Drew Brees into a very pedestrian 69.8 quarterback rating, forcing two interceptions. Overall, the Redskins' defense ranks sixth in the league for lowest opposing quarterback rating allowing a 65.3 thus far.
That may not be enough for the Redskins, however, as the Cardinals' defense has also played well, currently ranked seventh in the NFL in total defense. They shut out the Dolphins through most of three quarters in Week Two and forced four turnovers in their Week One win over the San Francisco 49ers.
2 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Tom Highway 9 months ago
Very much enjoyed this preview, Craig! Good stuff! Can't wait until Sunday to watch it!
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Craig Garrison Sr 9 months ago
Thanks Tom, I expect one heck-uv-a game! These teams are hungry and both have a lot to prove.
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