5 Washington Redskins To Watch In NFL Week 15 vs. Carolina Panthers
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Redskins are entering what looks to be another must-win game on Monday night. They need to beat the Carolina Panthers to stay alive in the playoff race.
Coming into Week 15, the Washington Redskins are going to need a little bit of help to make it into the playoffs. The team is sitting in the seventh spot in the NFC, just a half a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the coveted sixth seed. With three games left, the team has little room for error, and the game against the Panthers will be important.
Want your voice heard? Join the Riggo's Rag team!
After being a Super Bowl finalist last season, the Panthers have sputtered to a 5-8 record. They are out of the postseason race, and will have to regroup going into next season. Still, Ron Rivera and Dave Gettleman will be looking to get a win to save some face after the disappointing 2016 campaign.
With that said, Week 15 is going to be a fun game to watch. The two teams are going to be hyper competitive in this prime time battle. Here is a look at five Redskins to watch during the important contest.
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins guard Spencer Long (61) prepares to snap the ball to quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
5. C Spencer Long
At the beginning of the season, the starting center position did not belong to Spencer Long. It belonged to Kory Lichtensteiger. Long was the primary backup on the interior offensive line, and only took over for Lichtensteiger after the veteran had suffered an injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. With Lichtensteiger back, there are some that are wondering if Long will be moved across the line.
It seems extremely unlikely that Long would surrender his starting job. The only reason he was not in the starting lineup last week was due to a concussion he suffered in the team’s Week 13 game. If anything, the strong lineman could move to the left guard position if the Redskins were inclined to do so. Left guard Shawn Lauvao has had a tough season and is dealing with an ankle issue. If the team decided that putting Long at left guard and playing Lichtensteiger or John Sullivan at the center positon, they could choose to do it.
Still, at this point it looks like the Redskins will just be glad to get Long back from his concussion. It seems likely that Long will clear concussion protocol this week and will get a chance to suit up against the Panthers. He will have to deal with a pretty tough run defense, but it is an opportunity for him to prove himself. If Long can play well, then he should lock down a starting job on the line for a long time to come.
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) catches 15-yard touchdown pass against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nolan Carroll (22) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
4. WR Pierre Garcon
The Panthers cornerbacks this season have not been very good at all. The team has attempted to replace the departed Josh Norman with a trio of rookies, and the results have not been good. James Bradberry and Daryl Worley have been forced to play a lot of snaps, and it has taken them quite a while to adjust to the pace of the NFL game and the talent of the receivers. This is something that the Panthers should have expected. They did not, and this is why they come into the game at 5-8.
More from Riggo's Rag
Because of this, the Redskins are going to try and utilize their stellar passing offense to their advantage. The Panthers rank 30th in the league in pass defense, so the Washington receivers should have a chance to do put up some big numbers. In this game, I expect that Pierre Garcon will be the primary target.
Though DeSean Jackson could easily blow the top off the Panthers rookies with his speed, I think that Garcon is going to see a lot of targets from Kirk Cousins. Over the last couple of months, Garcon has proven to be the most reliable target for the team, and he caught his third touchdown of the season last week. His precise route running ability and physicality will make him a tough cover for the Panthers defense.
At the end of the day, Garcon will probably be the best Redskins receiver on the field. The 2016 Redskins Walter Payton Man of the Year will be fun to watch, and that is the main reason that he is on this list.
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins defensive end Trent Murphy (93) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
3. DE Trent Murphy
The 2016 season has been kind to Trent Murphy. In his third year, the combination defensive end and rush linebacker has put together a career year. He has posted career highs in sacks (8), tackles (36), and forced fumbles (3). He has been able to use his unique combination of speed and strength to give opposing tackles fits, and it appears that he is at the perfect playing weight as of now.
For Monday’s game against the Panthers, Murphy figures to see plenty of favorable matchups. The Panthers are without their left tackle Michael Oher, and as a result they have had to move right tackle Mike Remmers over to the position. Remmers is a solid run blocker, but he has had a multitude of issues in protecting the quarterback. On the right side, Chris Scott has been forced into action and has been mediocre.
Because of this, the Redskins defense is going to have a chance to put some serious heat on Cam Newton. Ryan Kerrigan could end up posting a big game, but I think that Murphy is the guy to watch here. Murphy is the strongest of the pass rushers for the Redskins, so they could elect to play him in many roles. He could move all across the line of scrimmage and give fits to the linemen he faces. The more they move him, the more productive he could be.
If Joe Barry can figure out a clever way to use the third year pro, he could be a force to reckon with. Monday night is a great chance for him to showcase his improved skill set on the national stage.
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Mason Foster (54) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2. LB Mason Foster
It is no secret that the Redskins have some issues at the linebacker position. The team saw Su’a Cravens and Will Compton go down in Week 14 and both are considered week-to-week. Early in the preparation for Week 15, the team signed linebacker Nick Moody to provide depth for the team. With all of that said, the Redskins are going to have to rely on the best player they have left at the position to play well. That player will be Mason Foster.
Foster has been a decent starter for the Redskins this season. He has been a great tackler who has demonstrated solid instincts. However, he has had some issues in coverage, and has ceded some third down work to Cravens in the past. On Monday, the Redskins are likely going to be relying on him to put together a very strong effort if Cravens and Compton cannot play.
Foster is going to be highly involved in attempting to stop running back Jonathan Stewart, and he is going to have to be at his best. In an ideal world, Foster would be able to put up 15 tackles and really lead the Redskins through what will be a troublesome week for the middle of their defense. He has the talent to step up, and if he dedicates himself to working hard in practice, he can be a difference maker.
Foster’s performance is going to have a major impact on the contest for the Redskins. If he puts together a strong effort, their defense should hold up well enough. If not, they could get trampled in the run department. For that reason, Foster is one of the top players to watch this week.
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
1. CB Josh Norman
How could anyone else top the list this week? Josh Norman is taking on his former team this week. The team that he thinks “stabbed him in the back” when they rescinded the franchise tag. Norman has gotten to laugh at the Panthers from afar, as they fell to a 5-8 record after making the Super Bowl last year, but now he will have a chance to get some on field revenge.
On Monday, Norman will be matching up against Kelvin Benjamin, and he will look to shut down his former teammate. Norman was close with Newton during his time with the Panthers, and he probably will be able to identify some of the weaknesses of the former MVP. Newton has been dealing with a little shoulder soreness this week, so he may not be at 100 percent. Norman will look to capitalize and try to make a lot of plays.
Though Norman at times can try to be a playmaker, he will not try to overdo it on Monday. He is going to put forth his best effort and shut down whatever receiver he matches up against. He will not allow any space, and will smother his competition. I would not be surprised if Norman holds opposing receivers to zero catches during the game.
Norman is going to try and make the Panthers regret releasing him. He will probably be able to do that, and he is certainly going to be playing with an edge. For that reason, he is certainly the top player to watch going into Week 15 of the season.
