Jaguars vs. Redskins: Complete Week 2 Preview for Washington
Coming off a season in which they combined to win seven games, the Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars did little to signal that much has changed in their season openers.
Despite holding a 17-0 lead over the Philadelphia Eagles at halftime, the Jaguars fell 34-17 in Week 1. Highlighting the meltdown was Jeremy Maclin's 68-yard touchdown in a 20-point fourth quarter.
Against the Houston Texans, Washington didn't fare much better. The Redskins outgained the Texans but were marred by special teams miscues and turnovers—sound familiar?
Looking to avoid an 0-2 start, the outcome of this contest will play a pivotal role in shaping Jacksonville and Washington's seasons.
A loss for the Jags could expedite top draft pick Blake Bortles' ascension into the starting lineup. On the other end, a loss for the Redskins would damage the team's chances of being the latest team to go from worst to first in its division—especially with the Eagles and New York Giants next up on the schedule.
With that said, here is Washington's Week 2 preview.
Washington Redskins Week 1 Recap
1 of 5
In Washington's 17-6 loss to the Texans, the stats say one thing, and the scoreboard says another. Despite edging Houston in yardage, first downs and red-zone attempts, it's the Redskins who now face the urgency of avoiding a 0-2 start:
"On the team's sense of urgency, @RGIII: "There is always a sense of urgency after a loss...No one wants to go 0-2...We want to get to 1-1."
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 7, 2014"
The team's ninth-straight loss, demons from a disastrous 2013 campaign resurfaced in this contest. One of the worst special teams units last year, the Redskins outdid themselves in the opener. Washington had an extra point and punt blocked, with the latter being returned for a touchdown.
Shifting the focus to the offense, head coach Jay Gruden abandoned an effective running game in favor of a dink-and-dunk passing attack. Even with an average of 5.7 yards per rush, Washington elected to run the ball just 23 times. In comparison, Robert Griffin III threw 37 passes. While he completed 29 of his attempts, he averaged 6.0 yards per pass.
Further complicating matters was the inability of the team's offensive line to pass block. Washington allowed the Texans to register three sacks and 14 hits on its quarterback.
With division games against the Eagles and New York Giants on the horizon, Washington can't afford to suffer a similar fate against another 2013 cellar dweller, the Jaguars.
News and Notes
2 of 5
Who Fills in for Brandon Meriweather in Week 2?
While Bacarri Rambo wasn't overwhelmed in the loss to Houston, he didn't ease any concerns over his tackling either. On DeAndre Hopkins' 76-yard touchdown reception, it was Rambo who whiffed on the tackle.
Picked up off waivers prior to the start of the season, Duke Ihenacho gives the Redskins an alternative option to Rambo.
As Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan's Grant & Danny show notes, it's an alternative some can't wait to see:
"I want to see Duke Ihenacho. I know how the Rambo movie goes. I want to watch another film.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 7, 2014"
A starter for the Denver Broncos in 2013, Ihenacho has a physical style similar to Meriweather and is also reliable as a tackler.
The biggest hurdle for him appears to be learning a new defense. Rambo may get the starting nod once more because of this, but as CSN's Tarik El-Bashir notes, you should look for Ihenacho to see the field this week.
Can Niles Paul Repeat His Week 1 Performance?
Jordan Reed's injury against the Texans provided Niles Paul the opportunity to play, and he seized it. Finishing the game with four receptions for 86 yards, Paul wasn't just Washington's leading receiver. Prior to Julius Thomas' outburst in Sunday's nightcap, Paul was leading all NFL tight ends in receiving yards:
"Before SNF, Niles Paul was the tight end with the most receiving yards in the NFL.
— Football Perspective (@fbgchase) September 8, 2014"
But all didn't go well for Paul in the opener. His fumble in the red zone halted any momentum Washington had gained and at the very least cost the team three points.
A former receiver at Nebraska, Paul has the receiving skills to duplicate this effort. With Logan Paulsen most effective as a blocker, you have to wonder if Gruden will team Reed and Paul together in the future in an effort to replicate the offense he utilized in Cincinnati.
Will Andre Roberts Be Featured More in the Offense?
On his returns and his lone reception—even the long reception that wasn't along the sideline—Andre Roberts displayed the ability to make big plays.
While he's no DeSean Jackson, you have to think Washington would be better served utilizing Roberts more if it's going to utilize a quick-hitting passing attack. Although Jackson has the speed to excel in the open field, his slight frame causes him to go down on first contact.
A more physical player, Roberts is more likely to break the arm tackles of defenders and churn out yards after the catch. As he develops more chemistry with Griffin, you can expect Roberts' output to increase as the season goes on.
Injury Report
3 of 5
| Player | Position | Injury Status |
| Brian Orakpo | LB | Questionable |
| Akeem Jordan | LB | Questionable |
| Tracy Porter | CB | Out |
| Jordan Reed | TE | Doubtful |
| Kedric Golston | DL | Doubtful |
| Duke Ihenacho | S | Questionable |
*All injury statuses from ESPN.com's John Keim and CBSSports.com.
Similar to Tracy Porter last week, the hamstring injury Reed suffered against Houston could keep him out for multiple weeks. Hamstring injuries tend to linger, and Washington's lack of depth at tight end could entice the team to err on the side of caution with Reed.
With an encouraging performance from Paul in Week 1, in addition to facing a Chad Henne-led Jacksonville offense, the Redskins can make do without their sophomore tight end this week.
Speaking of depth concerns, the groin injury plaguing Kedric Golston puts Washington's defensive line in a precarious position in the aftermath of losing Barry Cofield last week and Chris Neild prior to the season.
While the team can field a respectable starting lineup with Jason Hatcher, Jarvis Jenkins and Chris Baker, you have to wonder what factor fatigue will play as the game moves along. Facing a back in Toby Gerhart who wanes on a defense with his physical style of play, as Arian Foster demonstrated last week, Washington could be susceptible to the run in the fourth quarter if it's trailing on the scoreboard.
An injury that seemed minor at the time, Brian Orakpo's injured ankle has to worry the Redskins at this juncture. Suffering the injury in Week 3 of the preseason, Orakpo remains limited in practice. While Orakpo was able to cope with this injury adequately last week, this injury is a reminder of why the Redskins and Orakpo couldn't hammer out a long-term deal in the offseason.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
4 of 5
Washington Offensive Line vs. Jacksonville Defensive Line
With Gruden making a concerted effort to turn RG3 into a pocket passer, you can expect a member of Washington's offensive line to make this list on a weekly basis. As was the case in the opener, Griffin will have a tough go at making this transition if he isn't given enough time to go through his progressions.
Even with that said, the matchup to watch this week involves the offensive line as a whole. Jacksonville may have a headliner like Chris Clemons on its defensive line, but under the direction of head coach Gus Bradley the Jags now boast a unit stocked with pass-rushers.
Just last week against Philadelphia, Jacksonville had four different linemen register sacks. Still raw in the secondary, you can expect the Jags to replicate Houston's game plan and play off-coverage against Washington's receivers.
Needing additional time to hit receivers downfield, Washington's offensive line will have to do a better job of protecting Griffin if the likes of Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson are to have an impact in this game.
Brian Orakpo vs. Luke Joeckel
Neutralized by Duane Brown and Houston's quick-hitting passing attack in Week 1, Orakpo has to be salivating at the prospect of facing Luke Joeckel. While the talent is there—he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, after all—Joeckel has just six NFL games under his belt. Seeking a long-term deal, this is the type of matchup Orakpo has to dominate.
Lacking a great rushing attack—how else do you blow a 17-point halftime lead?—Jacksonville's offense goes as Henne does. Surrounded by inexperienced receivers, Henne could be forced into turnovers if Orakpo can apply pressure.
Redskins' X-Factor of the Week: Alfred Morris
Rare is the occasion in which you'll find a player of Morris' caliber touted as an X-factor. After churning out 2,888 rushing yards his first two seasons, it's expected for him to produce every outing.
Nonetheless, because of his coaches' affinity for the passing game, he has left many contests without the touches his talent commands. Given a fresh slate with new head coach Jay Gruden, this sentiment remained unchanged in the season opener.
Despite Washington's winless record in games in which he doesn't surpass 16 carries, Morris only had 14 rushes against Houston. As a result, the Texans pass rush wreaked havoc and kept Washington from challenging their secondary downfield.
Set to play a Jaguars defense that sacked Nick Foles five times, the Redskins have to ride their rushing attack if they're to avoid a repeat performance of Week 1.
Prediction
5 of 5
At home versus one of the worst teams from last season—not just by record, but also in regard to talent—this is a contest Washington can ill afford to lose. While the four games on its schedule with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants look more winnable after their dreadful showings in Week 1, Washington doesn't want to enter its matchup with Philadelphia with the possibility of going 0-3.
The team's sense of urgency should be apparent early on.
After showing way too much respect to Houston's receivers in the opener, look for defensive coordinator Jim Haslett to live up to his reputation and send pressure. While Jacksonville boasts a hoard of talented young wideouts, a more experienced Redskins secondary should keep them in check in the short amount of time Henne is allowed to throw.
Shifting to the offense, Philadelphia has already laid the blueprint. Don't turn the ball over! Something that remains a strength of Griffin's in the passing game, this mostly applies to the team's ball security in the open field. Featuring a more balanced attack, Griffin should be able to pick his spots to challenge the Jags downfield with Morris keeping the defense honest.
While the talent disparity won't be evident in the final score—as the team works out the kinks in a new offense—this is a contest the Redskins should control for its entirety.
Prediction: Redskins 20, Jaguars 13.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
