4:15 p.m.
Where: FedEx Field
TV: Chs. 9, 13
Radio: ESPN 980
KEY MATCHUP
REDSKINS CB SHAWN SPRINGS AND CARLOS ROGERS vs. BROWNS WR BRAYLON EDWARDS
Another week, another major challenge for Washington’s pass defense.
Philadelphia (Brian Westbrook) and New Orleans (Reggie Bush) presented problems with their scatbacks. Dallas had a big receiver (Terrell Owens) and a downfield tight end (Jason Witten). The New York Giants (Plaxico Burress), Arizona (Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin) and St. Louis (Torry Holt) had elite receivers.
With Cleveland’s star tight end, Kellen Winslow, possibly still sidelined with an undisclosed illness, the Redskins will focus on big receiver Braylon Edwards on Sunday. After catching just nine passes for 95 yards in the first four games, Edwards returned to the elite level he displayed last season in Monday’s upset of the Giants with five catches for 154 yards and a touchdown.
With the more physical Shawn Springs out, Washington defensive coordinator Greg Blache put his quickest cornerback, Carlos Rogers, on Burress in the opener against the Giants. Against the Cardinals, Rogers took Fitzgerald while Springs was on Boldin. In Dallas, Springs covered Owens until leaving with a strained calf. Rogers took over and did a fine job on the bigger Owens.
Browns No. 2 receiver Donte Stallworth is fast and not as big as the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Edwards. If Winslow plays, Springs could wind up on the tight end with No. 3 corner Fred Smoot on Stallworth and Rogers on Edwards, especially if strong safety Chris Horton’s ankle makes him inactive. If Winslow remains out, Blache might not lock Springs and Rogers on specific receivers. So even though Rogers has been Washington’s best corner so far, Springs figures to spend his share of time on Edwards because of his greater size.
THREE KEYS
1. Put last week in the past
While the Redskins want to use last week’s home loss to the previously winless St. Louis Rams as motivation, they also want to get that performance - especially the three first-half turnovers - out of their minds. The best way to do that would be to jump on the Browns early and not relax. Cleveland has been outscored 55-37 before halftime, but so has Washington, albeit by only 67-59.
2. Hassle Anderson
Cleveland’s Derek Anderson isn’t the most mobile of quarterbacks, but he has been sacked only eight times in 154 attempts. That’s a testimony to his quick release and to his offensive line, particularly left tackle Joe Thomas. The Redskins have 31 hurries but just eight sacks. Since the Giants’ pass rush didn’t get to Anderson once Monday, Washington’s best hope might be to disrupt his timing.
3. Free up Moss
The Redskins beat a good Eagles team with no catches from ace receiver Santana Moss, who had caught 27 passes in the first four games. They came up short last week against the lowly Rams when Moss had just two catches for 22 yards. Whether it’s on an end-around, a reverse or a punt return, Jim Zorn needs to get the ball in Moss’ hands. Better yet, Moss should get open against an unproven Browns secondary.
THE EDGE
WHEN THE REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL
Since a poor opener against the Giants, the Redskins have averaged 381 yards and 24 points. They boast NFL rushing leader Clinton Portis and are one of just two teams to have three players with 25 or more catches (Chris Cooley, Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El). Jason Campbell has thrown 179 passes without an interception.
All that makes Washington a difficult offense to defend. But after allowing 28 points in two of its first three games, Cleveland held the Bengals and Giants to just 26 points combined the past two games. Funny thing, though: New York averaged 7.2 yards a carry, and Eli Manning completed passes of at least 24 yards to three different targets.
Edge: Redskins
WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL
A unit on the rise last year with quarterback Derek Anderson, young stud targets Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow and resurgent running back Jamal Lewis, the Browns’ offense scored just 46 points in their first four games, three of which were losses. But Anderson, Edwards and Lewis broke out against the Giants’ defense Monday.
Washington is coming off a shocking defeat to St. Louis, but the defense limited the Rams to 200 yards, 43 of which came on a late, underthrown pass against fourth cornerback Leigh Torrence that set up the winning field goal. If the linebackers can hold Lewis in check, the safeties can give the corners help in controlling Edwards and the passing game.
Edge: Redskins
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Redskins finally tired of rookie punter Durant Brooks’ line drives and shanks and cut him in favor of Ryan Plackemeier, who had two inconsistent seasons in Seattle. Cleveland’s Dave Zastudil is off to a good start and amazingly didn’t punt once last week. Shaun Suisham, who has made a career-high eight straight field goal tries, has stabilized Washington’s long-shaky kicking situation. Cleveland’s Phil Dawson is 8-for-8 under 50 yards. The Browns’ Josh Cribbs has been solid on punt and kickoff returns. Washington is better on kickoff returns (Rock Cartwright) than on punt returns (Randle El). Both teams have good coverage units, although Brooks’ poor punting cost the Redskins twice.
Edge: Browns
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