Ravens at Redskins -- Week 14
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m ET (CBS)
Spread: Redskins by 2.5
Forecast: Temperatures will be in the low 50s with a 30 percent chance of rain.
2012 records: Redskins (6-6; NFC East 3-1); Ravens (9-3; AFC North 4-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 7, 2008: Ravens 24, Redskins 10; Oct. 10, 2004: Ravens 17, Redskins 10. Series record: Ravens lead 3-1.
What matters: Pass defense. The Redskins have had issues all season and would have had more had Eli Manning been on his game Monday night. The Ravens like to throw the ball (426 attempts to 299 runs) and Washington has allowed 24 touchdown passes (second most in the NFL). Also, they lost third corner Cedric Griffin to a drug suspension, and he’ll be replaced by one of two inexperienced players: D.J. Johnson, with his eighth organization since 2009, or rookie Richard Crawford, who hasn’t played since Oct. 14.
Who matters: LB London Fletcher. The Ravens have an excellent running back in Ray Rice, a terrific blocker in fullback Vonta Leach and a tight end with 44 receptions in Dennis Pitta. Fletcher will have to deal with all three throughout this game, often in one-on-one situations. Fletcher has barely practiced the past three weeks and has finished just one of the past three games. He’s also coming off a short week.
Key matchups: Redskins QB Robert Griffin III vs. S Ed Reed; Griffin has thrown just four interceptions, but Reed has picked off 61 career passes. The Redskins like to attack the middle. Redskins special teams vs. KR Jacoby Jones. He averages 34.2 yards per return with two scores. Redskins K Kai Forbath is inconsistent, with low line-drive kickoffs. It’s a pivotal part of the game.
Inside stuff: The Ravens use a lot of single-high safety looks with future Hall of Famer Ed Reed in the middle. But the Redskins have attacked this look quite well this season. And if Reed continues to play deep, as he often does, then the Redskins could target the middle with zone-read fakes and intermediate in routes. It’s one of their staples.
Connections: Redskins G Chris Chester played for Baltimore from 2006-10 and started 47 games; Redskins CB Josh Wilson played with the Ravens in 2010 with nine starts. Redskins OL coach Chris Foerster held the same job in Baltimore from 2005-07. Ravens NT Ma’ake Kemoeatu played with the Redskins in 2010.
Stat you should know: Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon continues to show why he’s Washington’s best receiver. He’s the only receiver who has surpassed 80 yards in a game -- and has done so three times. That stat is surprising given that three other receivers have caught touchdown passes of at least 68 yards: Aldrick Robinson (68), Leonard Hankerson (68) and Santana Moss (77).
Injury report: LT Trent Williams (deep thigh bruise), CB DeAngelo Hall (ankle) and Fletcher (ankle) likely will be questionable for Sunday. Williams and Hall were limited in practice this week. Coach Mike Shanahan anticipates all being able to play, but that’s mostly based on what they’ve done in previous weeks.
Looking ahead: The Redskins finish with three winnable games: at Cleveland (4-8), at Philadelphia (3-9) and vs. Dallas (6-6). They can still earn a playoff berth if they lose to Baltimore or Cleveland because they’re out of conference. But that only helps if it comes down to tiebreakers. If the Redskins don’t want to rely on another team losing, then they might need to win out.
Prediction: Ravens 28, Redskins 27
John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSRedskins or @John_Keim.
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m ET (CBS)
Spread: Redskins by 2.5
Forecast: Temperatures will be in the low 50s with a 30 percent chance of rain.
2012 records: Redskins (6-6; NFC East 3-1); Ravens (9-3; AFC North 4-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 7, 2008: Ravens 24, Redskins 10; Oct. 10, 2004: Ravens 17, Redskins 10. Series record: Ravens lead 3-1.
What matters: Pass defense. The Redskins have had issues all season and would have had more had Eli Manning been on his game Monday night. The Ravens like to throw the ball (426 attempts to 299 runs) and Washington has allowed 24 touchdown passes (second most in the NFL). Also, they lost third corner Cedric Griffin to a drug suspension, and he’ll be replaced by one of two inexperienced players: D.J. Johnson, with his eighth organization since 2009, or rookie Richard Crawford, who hasn’t played since Oct. 14.
Who matters: LB London Fletcher. The Ravens have an excellent running back in Ray Rice, a terrific blocker in fullback Vonta Leach and a tight end with 44 receptions in Dennis Pitta. Fletcher will have to deal with all three throughout this game, often in one-on-one situations. Fletcher has barely practiced the past three weeks and has finished just one of the past three games. He’s also coming off a short week.
Key matchups: Redskins QB Robert Griffin III vs. S Ed Reed; Griffin has thrown just four interceptions, but Reed has picked off 61 career passes. The Redskins like to attack the middle. Redskins special teams vs. KR Jacoby Jones. He averages 34.2 yards per return with two scores. Redskins K Kai Forbath is inconsistent, with low line-drive kickoffs. It’s a pivotal part of the game.
Inside stuff: The Ravens use a lot of single-high safety looks with future Hall of Famer Ed Reed in the middle. But the Redskins have attacked this look quite well this season. And if Reed continues to play deep, as he often does, then the Redskins could target the middle with zone-read fakes and intermediate in routes. It’s one of their staples.
Connections: Redskins G Chris Chester played for Baltimore from 2006-10 and started 47 games; Redskins CB Josh Wilson played with the Ravens in 2010 with nine starts. Redskins OL coach Chris Foerster held the same job in Baltimore from 2005-07. Ravens NT Ma’ake Kemoeatu played with the Redskins in 2010.
Stat you should know: Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon continues to show why he’s Washington’s best receiver. He’s the only receiver who has surpassed 80 yards in a game -- and has done so three times. That stat is surprising given that three other receivers have caught touchdown passes of at least 68 yards: Aldrick Robinson (68), Leonard Hankerson (68) and Santana Moss (77).
Injury report: LT Trent Williams (deep thigh bruise), CB DeAngelo Hall (ankle) and Fletcher (ankle) likely will be questionable for Sunday. Williams and Hall were limited in practice this week. Coach Mike Shanahan anticipates all being able to play, but that’s mostly based on what they’ve done in previous weeks.
Looking ahead: The Redskins finish with three winnable games: at Cleveland (4-8), at Philadelphia (3-9) and vs. Dallas (6-6). They can still earn a playoff berth if they lose to Baltimore or Cleveland because they’re out of conference. But that only helps if it comes down to tiebreakers. If the Redskins don’t want to rely on another team losing, then they might need to win out.
Prediction: Ravens 28, Redskins 27
John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSRedskins or @John_Keim.
