Redskins Preview

KEY MATCHUP

Redskins LTs Stephon Heyer and Levi Jones vs. Falcons DE John Abraham

A three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher for the New York Jets, Abraham joined the Falcons in 2006 but was limited to eight games. He had 10 sacks in 2007 and upped the ante to a franchise-record 16.5 in 2008.

In 2003, Abraham sacked Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey twice while dueling with Chris Samuels. The six-time Pro Bowl pick blanked Abraham during a 2006 rematch.

Although Abraham, 31, has just three sacks this year, he’s still quick coming around the corner. That poses problems for less nimble blockers such as Heyer, who sprained his right knee in Washington’s most recent game. That’s why there’s a chance Jones, whom Abraham beat for a sack in 2004 in their only battle, could wind up making his first start with the Redskins or playing a lot if Heyer’s knee gives out.

With Jason Campbell’s usual safety valve, tight end Chris Cooley, recovering from ankle surgery, the quarterback likely will need more time than ever to find the proper target. Pass protection will be even more important than usual for a revamped offensive line; Heyer and/or Jones can’t afford to have a bad day against Abraham.

THREE KEYS

1. Don’t fall behind

Before trailing Dallas 17-7 and New Orleans 28-14 at halftime the past two weeks, Atlanta had a 76-15 edge on its opponents in the first half. Washington, outscored 79-33 before halftime thus far, doesn’t have enough weapons or a solid enough offensive line to play catch-up.

2. Stay poised

The Redskins aren’t used to playing indoors - 1-1 under Jim Zorn - where crowd noise can be a factor, especially with Sherm Lewis sending the plays from the coaches box to Sherman Smith on the sideline to quarterback Jason Campbell on the field. The Falcons are 10-1 at the Georgia Dome under coach Mike Smith, including 3-0 this year.

3. Control the clock

Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White could be this decade’s version of Dallas’ Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. The easiest way to neutralize the Falcons’ terrific trio is to play keep-away by having Clinton Portis and the ground game churning out first downs.

THE EDGE

WHEN THE REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL

Washington has yet to break 17 points this season despite playing four of seven games against defenses ranked in the bottom third of the league. The task won’t be easier with tight end Chris Cooley sidelined. The good news is that the Falcons allow 4.5 yards a carry. But without Cooley and with top back Clinton Portis slowed by ailing ankles, quarterback Jason Campbell doesn’t have weapons comparable to the Cowboys’ or Saints’. That makes swift receiver Santana Moss even more critical.

Edge: Falcons

WHEN THE FALCONS HAVE THE BALL

The Redskins don’t use as many packages as they used to under Gregg Williams, whose New Orleans defense intercepted three of Matt Ryan’s passes and sacked him three times Monday night. Washington’s pass rush, particularly end Andre Carter, needs to keep its hot streak going. Running back Michael Turner broke out of his malaise with 151 yards against New Orleans and presents a major challenge for linebacker London Fletcher. The same is true for whichever cornerback ends up spending most of the game covering Atlanta’s top receiver, Roddy White.

Edge: Redskins

SPECIAL TEAMS

Washington’s coverage units are among the NFL’s best but could be without top tackler H.B. Blades and gunner Byron Westbrook, who each had knees scoped Oct. 27. Atlanta’s not as good at covering kicks, but it’s superior returning them with Eric Weems. Rock Cartwright is solid on kick returns for the Redskins; Antwaan Randle El has been a disaster on punt returns and will share the load with Moss and DeAngelo Hall. Shaun Suisham has made all nine of his field goal tries for Washington; normally reliable Jason Elam has missed four of 10 attempts for Atlanta. The loss of Redskins punter Hunter Smith to a groin injury gives the edge to the Falcons.

Edge: Falcons

REDSKINS STARTERS

Offense

WR 89 Santana Moss

LT 74 Stephon Heyer

LG 66 Derrick Dockery

C 61 Casey Rabach

RG 63 Will Montgomery

RT 71 Mike Williams

TE 86 Fred Davis

WR 11 Devin Thomas

RB 26 Clinton Portis

FB 45 Mike Sellers

QB 17 Jason Campbell

Defense

DE 93 Phillip Daniels

DT 96 Cornelius Griffin

DT 92 Albert Haynesworth

DE 99 Andre Carter

OLB 52 Rocky McIntosh

MLB 59 London Fletcher

OLB 98 Brian Orakpo

CB 22 Carlos Rogers

CB 23 DeAngelo Hall

SS 37 Reed Doughty

FS 30 LaRon Landry

Specialists

K 6 Shaun Suisham

P 4 Sam Paulescu

PR 82 Antwaan Randle El

KR 31 Rock Cartwright

Injuries

Out: TE Chris Cooley (ankle), P Hunter Smith (groin), CB Byron Westbrook (knee). Questionable: LB H.B. Blades (knee), S Chris Horton (knee). Probable: T Stephon Heyer (knee).

FALCONS STARTERS

Offense

WR 84 Roddy White

LT 72 Sam Baker

LG 63 Justin Blalock

C 62 Todd McClure

RG 73 Harvey Dahl

RT 77 Tyson Clabo

TE 88 Tony Gonzalez

WR 12 Michael Jenkins

RB 33 Michael Turner

FB 34 Ovie Mughelli

QB 2 Matt Ryan

Defense

DE 98 Jamaal Anderson

DT 93 Thomas Johnson

DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux

DE 55 John Abraham

OLB 54 Stephen Nicholas

MLB 50 Curtis Lofton

OLB 53 Mike Peterson

CB 22 Chevis Jackson

CB 23 Chris Houston

SS 26 Erik Coleman

FS 28 Thomas DeCoud

Specialists

K 1 Jason Elam

P 9 Michael Koenen

PR 14 Eric Weems

KR 14 Eric Weems

Injuries

Questionable: DE John Abraham (foot), DT Jonathan Babineaux (ankle), T Sam Baker (ankle), WR Brian Finneran (ankle), DT Thomas Johnson (calf), LB Curtis Lofton (knee, ankle), RB Jerious Norwood (hip), RB Jason Snelling (hamstring), WR Eric Weems (ankle), WR Roddy White (knee). Probable: TE Keith Zinger (back).