Redskins Preview

KEY MATCHUP

Redskins offensive tackles Stephon Heyer and Mike Williams vs. Chiefs linebackers Tamba Hali and Mike Vrabel

With six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels sidelined by a neck injury, Heyer flips from the right side to the left. Williams, who started last week at right guard, moves to right tackle.

Heyer made the Redskins as an undrafted rookie in 2007, finished that year as a starter and began the past two years as a regular. Williams, whom Buffalo took fourth in the 2002 draft, was sidelined for all of 2006 before sitting out the past two years. Williams, who weighed 450 pounds in February, is now at 337 — just seven more than Heyer.

While Heyer has struggled this year — he was the main culprit on the safety recorded by the Panthers last week — left tackle is where he played in college. Williams also is back at his longtime spot.

The speedy Hali, Kansas City’s first-round pick in 2006, has 20 1/2 sacks and 13 forced fumbles in three-plus seasons while becoming the Chiefs’ top pass rusher. Vrabel was fifth among NFL linebackers with 44 sacks from 2001 to 2007 but has just four since — including none this year, his first with Kansas City. Vrabel embarrassed the Redskins with a career-high three in 2007.

Heyer and Williams will be critical in preventing a repeat of last week, when Jason Campbell was sacked a career-high five times.

THREE KEYS

1. Protect Campbell

Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels was lost for the game as Washington scored a touchdown on its second play last week. Jason Campbell was sacked on three of his next six drop-backs. Coach Jim Zorn scaled back the offense to try to keep the quarterback upright, and the Redskins stalled. They need better protection to get the offense in gear.

2. Kick it in on coverage

Danny Smith’s coverage units rank second on kickoffs and third on punts, but they allowed two kickoff returns of more than 30 yards two weeks ago against Tampa Bay and a 55-yarder last week that sparked Carolina’s comeback. They can’t let Kansas City’s lightweight offense get a boost from the return game.

3. Take Bowe away

Larry Johnson is a shadow of the Pro Bowl running back he used to be, so third-year receiver Dwayne Bowe is the Chiefs’ top weapon. Bowe, who had 156 catches and 2,017 yards the past two years, has three of the team’s eight touchdowns by an offensive player this season. Cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers need to keep him in check.

THE EDGE

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