What to Expect from Colt McCoy, Washington Redskins Offense in Week 14

His record is unblemished no more. Despite the fact that Colt McCoy set a new career high for touchdown passes in a game, the Washington Redskins fell 49-27 to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13.

It was the team's first loss in three games with McCoy under center. Slated to face a St. Louis Rams defense that held the great Peyton Manning to seven points and has allowed just 15 points per game the past five contests, it'll be no easy task for the Redskins to match last week's offensive explosion.

With that said, here's what you can expect to see from McCoy and the rest of the Washington offense in Week 14.

Colt McCoy Meets Alex Smith

While he doesn't qualify for the league lead because of a lack of passing attempts, McCoy's average per attempt of 9.20 yards eclipses league-leader Aaron Rodgers' total of 8.75 yards.

A player who's also completing over 75 percent of his throws on the year, this statistic is impressive because of the offensive line he's playing behind. Evidenced by the six times he was sacked in Week 13—which resulted in four fumbles—time is not something McCoy is afforded very often when he drops back to pass.

This is where the Rams pass rush comes in. The team may have just 28 sacks on the year, but 22 have come in the past five games. Mind you, this is a stretch in which chief pass-rusher Chris Long played one game.

Coming off a triumphant return against the Oakland Raiders, Long's presence further complicates things for Washington's beleaguered offensive front. Already second in the NFL in sacks allowed, it doesn't help the Skins that their top offensive lineman, Trent Williams, is still struggling with a knee injury.

With the likes of Long, Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald surely to be bearing down on him in Sunday's contest, McCoy will have to take a page out of Alex Smith's playbook.

As Grantland's Bill Barnwell notes, Smith makes his living off the short passing game:

"

Per Stats and Info, Alex Smith throws the shortest avg pass in the NFL this yr, 5.4 yards in the air. 2nd-shortest is Blake Bortles at 6.9.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 1, 2014"

Surrounded by an array of receivers who excel at gaining yards after the catch, whether it's via screens or quick-hitters, McCoy should lean on his pass-catchers to do most of the leg work in the passing game.

Less Alfred Morris

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Piggybacking off the struggles that Washington will have in pass protection, don’t look for Alfred Morris to get much running room, either.

Although it's 20th against the run on the year, now whole along its defensive front, St. Louis has held three of its last four opponents to an average south of three yards per carry. While a variety of factors went into Morris averaging over 104 yards per game in the three games prior to Week 13, you can’t overlook the fact that Robert Griffin III was the quarterback under center in all three.

Of the five outings in which Morris has eclipsed 4.3 yards per carry (his career average) this season, Griffin was the starter in all but one. With McCoy lacking both RG3’s mobility and arm strength, you can expect the Rams to hone in on shutting down Morris this week with little remorse.

More Jordan Reed

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Pegged as a potential breakout candidate in the lead up to this season, Jordan Reed hasn't resembled the player who was second on the team in receiving in 2013—prior to Week 13, that is. 

Against the Colts, Reed posted his first 100-yard outing on the year and had a season-high nine receptions. Going against a Rams defense that is 16th in the NFL in yards allowed per game to tight ends, according to Football Outsiders, there's potential for him to build on this performance.

With Pierre Garcon being an afterthought most weeks and DeSean Jackson's playing status up in the air, via Anthony DiMoro of SportsRants.com, look for Reed to carry Washington's passing game once again.

Struggles in the Red Zone

Does the opponent really matter here? After all, the Redskins are 19th in the NFL when it comes to scoring touchdowns in the red zone, according to TeamRankings.com.

Well, believe it or not, Washington's woes in the red zone could reach new lows going against St. Louis' defense. The Rams are fifth in the league in red-zone scoring percentage, allowing touchdowns just 46.6 percent of the time.

All told, in a matchup of teams that rank in the bottom half of the league in scoring, Washington's ability or inability to score in the red zone will determine the outcome of this game.