Redskins vs. Patriots: What's the Game Plan for Washington?

The last time we saw the Washington Redskins, they were rewriting the franchise record books.

With its season on the verge of spiraling out of control, Washington overcame a 24-point deficit, the largest in franchise history, and defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-30 in Week 7.

Next up, the undefeated New England Patriots.

The Skins aren't in a must-win spot, but at some point the team has to find success on the road. Under head coach Jay Gruden, Washington is just 1-10 on the road.

Is this the week the team gets off the schneid?

Let's find out. Here is the Week 9 game plan for the Redskins.

Offensive Game Plan

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

Quarterback Kirk Cousins gave Washington's sagging offense a much-needed shot in the arm in Week 7. He had season highs in both touchdowns (three) and passing yards (317). 

With the Patriots' high-powered offense sharing the field with the Redskins this week, it goes without saying that an encore performance will be needed.

Thing is, in this contest, Cousins will have to acquire his yardage by different means. All season long, Cousins has dinked and dunked his way down the football field. According to ESPN.com, only 30 of his 184 completions this year have come on throws traveling more than 10 yards.

This has to change against New England. While the team has been able to manufacture long drives in spurts, Washington has shown an inability to do so over the course of an entire game. 

Even with one of the better marks converting third downs (43 percent), the Skins are still in the bottom third of the league in scoring (21.1). Turnovers are one reason for this, but the primary cause is the team's lack of big plays. 

Washington has just one reception north of 40 yards and is 31st in the NFL with 17 plays of 20-plus yards through the air. Enter DeSean Jackson.

The Skins led the league in receptions of 40-plus yards in 2014, with Jackson being the chief reason why. While he is listed as questionable on the injury report with a hamstring injury, Jackson indicated his intent was to play, per Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.

To ensure Jackson isn't met by additional defensive backs deep down the field, Washington will need its running game to draw extra New England defenders into the box. As it stands, its recent production won't get this done. 

The team averaged 45 yards and 2.2 yards a carry its past three games. Looking at the success Alfred Morris and Matt Jones had to start the season, the health of the offensive line will determine whether the offense can take advantage of a Pats defense surrendering 4.2 yards per rush.

Center Kory Lichtensteiger is the player to watch in regards to this. A pinched nerve in his neck has sapped him of strength in his shoulder. Gruden went as far to say that his playing status will "come down to the wire" pregame, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post.

Knowing teams run the ball up the middle 61 percent of the time against New England, per Football Outsiders, Lichtensteiger or backup Josh LeRibeus will play pivotal roles in this contest.

Defensive Game Plan

John Bazemore/Associated Press

The book on defending Tom Brady and the Patriots has always revolved around the pass rush. Given the current state of the Redskins secondary, this is especially true.

The playing statuses of top corners Bashaud Breeland, Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall are all up in the air with each listed as questionable on the injury report. 

Even if this trio does suit up, a wounded secondary would be no match for New England's fourth-ranked passing offense. In light of this, Washington's pass rush will have to carry the defense in this contest.

And even worse, it'll have to get after Brady without the aid of blitzes. 

According to ESPN.com, defenses have tallied just five sacks in 74 dropbacks when blitzing Brady. Oh, and he just so happens to complete over 65 percent of his throws against the blitz, with nine touchdowns against one interception. 

The stakes are certainly high here, but the Skins do have the pass-rushers to accomplish this feat. After all, lesser teams have. None of the Patriots' past four opponents is ranked higher than 23rd in sacks. Despite this fact, Brady has been sacked 12 times during this stretch.

To put this in perspective, he was sacked just 21 times all of last season. 

What gives, right? Well, his injury-riddled offensive line apparently. Based on their injury report, the Patriots have just two healthy offensive linemen at the moment. 

Starting left tackle Nate Solder is out for the season and tackle Marcus Cannon and guard Tre Jackson have already been ruled out for this bout. Guards Ryan Wendell and Shaq Mason are also nursing injuries, putting their playing statuses in doubt.

Star pass-rusher Ryan Kerrigan is nursing an injury himself. But whether you point to Kerrigan, Jason Hatcher or the tandem of Trent Murphy and Preston Smith, the Redskins have a decided advantage on this front. 

To take advantage of these matchups, though, the team has to shore up its run defense. New England doesn't run often, but you can count on it testing Washington's 30th-ranked run defense.

The Skins fielded a top-10 unit here to start the year, so talent isn't the issue. Fatigue and injury are causes for the team's slippage. But ultimately tackling has to be the focus this week with the slippery Dion Lewis and powerful LeGarrette Blount on deck.

Key Players and Matchups

WR DeSean Jackson vs. CB Malcolm Butler

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler may be filling the void he left, but Darrelle Revis is dearly missed in Foxborough, Massachusetts. According to Football Outsiders, the Pats are 21st in pass defense against opposing No. 1 receivers.

On average, nearly eight receptions are garnered per game by top wideouts against New England. The schedule has been relatively light for the Pats in regards to top-tier receivers, but both Antonio Brown and T.Y. Hilton were able to find success against Butler.

Given the similarities he has to these players (speed receivers), Jackson, too, should give Butler trouble.

LB Keenan Robinson vs. RB Dion Lewis

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Coming out of nowhere, Lewis has replaced Shane Vereen as the team's pass-catching back seamlessly. He has 32 receptions, 349 yards and two touchdowns through the air in six games.

Lewis has tallied these totals coming out the backfield and lining up out wide. When it comes to covering Lewis, it'll be important for Keenan Robinson to keep everything in front of him. Like New England's other miniature receivers, Lewis thrives after the catch.

So in this regard, the team has to hope Robinson's shoulder injury doesn't limit his ability to tackle in the open field.

Prediction

So much for the bye week curing what ailed the Redskins in the first half. While turnovers and a non-existent running game played a part, more than anything, injuries thwarted what was a promising start to the season for Washington.

By all indications, the time off didn't improve this facet as significantly as hoped. The team in particular is still banged up at cornerback. And well, this isn't a matchup in which the Skins can overcome such a shortcoming.

New England has been clicking on all cylinders in 2015. It leads the league in scoring (35.6 points per game) and is fifth in total yards. With just three giveaways, it doesn't beat itself either.

Washington showed life on offense prior to the bye. But even at full capacity, it isn't suited to match the Patriots point for point. And looking at the state of its defense, that's its only route to victory. 

Behind a 300-yard showing from Brady, New England wins handily and extends the Skins' road woes.

Prediction: Patriots 38, Redskins 23

Injury statuses courtesy of ESPN's John Keim and Mike Reiss.