Patriots vs. Redskins: 5 Ways to Slow Down New England

The New England Patriots are one of four NFL teams averaging over 400 yards of total offense per game. They are third in the league in scoring (30.2 points per game) and second in both passing yards per game (316.6) and number of yards gained per pass attempt (8.5).

Tom Brady has the second-highest quarterback rating, Wes Welker leads the league in receiving yards by a comfortable margin and Rob Gronkowski has already tied the record for most touchdowns by a tight end in a single season.

All things considered, this team is tailor-made for fans of offensive football.

It's not just that the Patriots march up and down the field at will and put points on the board early and often; it's the way they are doing it that makes them such an intriguing team.

In his five seasons in New England, Welker has changed the way people perceive the wide receiver position. Conventional wisdom holds that the most dangerous wideouts are tall, fast and can out jump opposing cornerbacks.

Welker has shown that a diminutive frame—he stands 5’9” and weighs 185 lbs—and the low center of gravity that comes with it can actually work to a receiver's advantage—cornerbacks struggle to jam him at the line of scrimmage, and Brady can always throw the ball to a low spot where Welker has the best chance of getting to it.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Welker is very fast and an incredibly precise route runner and always seems to be at the right place on the football field.

Gronkowski is only in his second season, but the record-setting pace he is currently on indicates that he too could change the way coaches and analysts think about how tight ends factor into offensive schemes.

Gronkowski's height and speed make him a deep receiving threat, something that is rare at the tight end position. He is averaging 14.3 yards per catch—that is more than Jimmy Graham and Jason Witten—and has 15 receptions of 20 yards or more. He and fellow second-year tight end Aaron Hernandez give Brady big targets to throw to when Welker or veteran wide receiver Deion Branch are covered.

Putting those offensive weapons on the field with Brady, a future Hall of Famer whose accuracy and arm strength are still among the best in the league presents opposing defenses with a pick-your-poison type situation.

On Sunday, Jim Haslett, London Fletcher and the rest of the Redskins defense will have the unenviable task of trying to slow down the Patriots. Given that the unit has looked somewhat vulnerable in recent weeks and that LaRon Landry remains sidelined with a groin injury, I give them a puncher's chance at best.

Here are five things the defense can try to slow down the Patriots.

Hit Tom Brady in the Mouth

Brady has always been a deceptively mobile quarterback. He's not a great runner, but throughout his career, he's demonstrated an uncanny ability to sidestep pass rushers and stay poised and on his feet as the pocket collapses around him.

The best chance the Redskins have at stopping the Patriots is by pressuring Brady. They have to hit him early and prevent him from settling into a rhythm.

Both the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers prevented the Patriots from scoring over 21 points in part because they were able to consistently apply pressure to Brady.

If there was ever a week for Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan to step up and get multiple sacks, this is it.

The Redskins defense is currently tied for fifth in the league in total sacks. Getting to Brady is their best chance.

Create Turnovers

The Redskins are second to last in the NFC in takeaways. The New Orleans Saints are the only team in the conference that has created fewer turnovers.

When a team has a high-powered offense, like the one in New Orleans that is currently running roughshod over opposing defenses, it doesn't really matter whether that team’s defense can create turnovers.

But if a team has an offense that always seems to be playing while on life support, like the one in Washington, it is imperative that the team's defense force turnovers and create easy scoring situations.

Jim Haslett's defense has performed admirably all season long considering the offense usually provides minimal support. But at times it seems like the all of the Redskins' defensive backs have hands made of wood—they can't seem to catch a ball to save their lives.

Against the Patriots, the Redskins have to find a way to generate some turnovers.

Tackle Well

It's almost a foregone conclusion that the Patriots receivers are going to get open and that Tom Brady will find them.

But if the Redskins defense tackles well and prevents Welker, Gronkowski and Co. from gaining yards after the catch, they can at least minimize the damage.

The key to tackling is to wrap up rather than try and take down opposing players with shoulder tackles. Certain players on the Redskins seem to favor the latter approach, and this can lead to missed tackles and extra yards for offensive players.

If the Redskins can tackle like London Fletcher, that ageless middle linebacker who currently leads the league in tackles and about whom enough good things cannot be said, they will give themselves a fighting chance.

Play Solid Red Zone Defense

Early in the season, the Redskins were playing a bend-but-don't break style of defense that sometimes yielded a significant amount of yardage but often limited opposing teams' scoring opportunities.

In recent weeks, they've yielded more and more points—34 points to the Jets, 27 points to the Cowboys—and this is one reason why the team has lost seven out of its last eight games.

It's safe to assume that the Patriots will get the ball inside the Redskins 20-yard line several times on Sunday. But if the Redskins defense can hold the Patriots to field goals, they will give the team a chance to win.

Pray

It's worked for certain NFL teams and players.

Why can't it work for the Redskins?