Cardinals vs. Redskins: 5 Adjustments Washington Needs to Make

My apologies to everyone expecting a shootout here. This is starting to look like a grind-it-out, hard-nosed football game. I didn't know Arizona was capable of playing like this.

With both Washington and Arizona looking to go 2-0 and lead their divisions, this game is a lot more important than most Week 2 showdowns.

Washington is dominating possession, but a few timely mistakes have prevented them from capitalizing. The Redskins can certainly pull this one off, but there are five crucial adjustments they must make in order to take this one.

1. More Pressure on Kolb

Washington did a pretty good job getting pressure on Kevin Kolb in the first half. London Fletcher had two consecutive pressures on Arizona's first possession of the half. 

Because Washington is dominating possession, Kolb hasn't really had a chance to get into a rhythm offensively. Arizona's offense likes to grind it out and really wear out a defense through long, steady drives. Forcing three-and-outs with the pass-rush must be Washington's mindset in the second half.

Kolb is best when he's laying in the pocket, scanning the field. If the Redskins can continue to force him out of the pocket and make decisions on the run, Kolb is going to have a hard time getting the ball to Fitzgerald. That would go a long way toward winning this ballgame.

2. Quick Decisions from Grossman

Unlike Kolb, Grossman is more effective the quicker he releases the football. He's not the type of quarterback you want hanging in the pocket, scanning the field for minutes at a time.

Both of Grossman's picks came on plays where he had to look for his third or fourth option. He was also flushed out of the pocket and on the run on his costly red-zone interception.

With speedy receivers (Moss, Armstrong) and sure-handed backs (Hightower, Helu), Grossman should be looking for quick slants and screens. There's really no need for him to wait around for something to develop downfield.

The quicker he makes his decision, the better off Washington is.

3. Get Santana Moss the Ball in Space

Let's get one thing straight: It's not like Grossman isn't looking for Santana. He targeted him five times in the first half, and Moss performed (three catches for 31 yards).

But it's the way that Grossman targeted Moss with which I have a problem.

Grossman needs to get the ball to Santana before he's in the teeth of the defense. A receiver like Moss needs some room to operate in order to be effective. Putting an undersized target in the middle of the field is the perfect recipe for an interception.

Washington needs to run some quick screens and slants in order to maximize Santana's output here. Arizona's corners are fast, but not Santana fast. I'd like to see the Redskins get Moss the ball early and often in the second half.

4. Pound the Run

Washington's run-game is starting to look really, really good. I don't know how much of that is just Arizona's lackluster defense, but it's blatantly obvious that Washington can run all over Arizona.

Hightower and Roy Helu Jr. were incredible in the first half, combining for 115 yards on 19 carries.

Grossman, on the other hand, completed just 12 of his 21 attempts.

Washington should come out with a run-first mentality in the second half. Arizona's front seven is clearly having issues making tackles and filling spaces. Hightower and Helu must take advantage and not get too tricky; head-down, up-the-gut running will work wonders here.

5. Continue Winning the Time of Possesion Battle

This may seem obvious, but here's a great piece of knowledge: Arizona's offense can't put up points if they don't have the football.

Shocking stuff, right?

Washington ran 42 offensive plays in the first half, compared to just 20 for Arizona. Time of possession reflected these stats: The Redskins had possession for 21.5 minutes out of 30.

It's not too often that you see that big of a discrepancy.

This is exactly why Washington MUST continue to run the football between the tackles. Four-yard gain after 4-yard gain really starts to exhaust a defense quickly, and the Redskins have the personnel to do just that. Hightower really looks like a man on a mission here, and there's no reason to stop giving him the ball in the second half.