KEY MATCHUP
Redskins CBs DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson
Hall and Rogers had better be ready for Johnson, the 6-foot-5, third-year receiver who is the focus of the Lions’ passing game. Johnson plays right and left receiver, so both Hall and Rogers will get opportunities to cover him.
In two games, Johnson has been the intended receiver 20 times, making eight catches for 141 yards and one touchdown.
“Calvin is a big-time player,” Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. “He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast and he’s elusive. He scored a touchdown on us [last year] when we had double coverage. He’s a marquee player and, with the quarterback they’ve got and the things they’ve added, this is going to be a very good football team.”
Hall has played all but two snaps this year and has an interception and two passes defensed. The Giants went after him six times in Week 1 and posted completions of 10, 11 and 26 yards. St. Louis challenged him five times with gains of 6, 2 (touchdown) and 13.
Rogers has been impressive considering he played only one preseason game because of a left calf injury. He played 59 of 64 snaps against the Giants and all 53 against St. Louis. He has been thrown at 10 times — four completions for 37 yards and three pass breakups.
Detroit’s best chance at breaking its 19-game losing streak is going to Johnson time and time again.
THREE KEYS
1. Red zone offense
The Redskins were 0-for-4 (not counting the final kneel-down possession) against St. Louis and settled for three field goals. The Redskins ran 17 plays inside the 20-yard line and gained 23 yards, including 12 in the final 16 snaps. Obviously, that has to improve.
2. Third-down defense
Detroit ranks 29th in third-down conversions, so the opportunity is there for the Redskins to improve on their 27th-place ranking. The New York Giants and St. Louis each converted six third-down chances to keep drives alive against Washington.
3. The first quarter
The Redskins’ modus operandi in recent years is playing up or down to their competition. There’s no excuse for them not to beat Detroit — they simply have superior personnel. But they need to start fast and not give Detroit hope.
THE EDGE
WHEN THE REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL
The Redskins have averaged 6.4 yards a snap on their 53 plays not in the red zone, so this can be a functional offense, and quarterback Jason Campbell was certainly on point (23-for-35 for 242 yards). But it’s time to start scoring touchdowns. Without right guard Randy Thomas, the slow-starting running game will stumble for a while. Campbell will have to combat a pass rush that blitzed Brett Favre 10 times, including four seven-man rushes.
Edge: Redskins
WHEN THE LIONS HAVE THE BALL
The numbers don’t lie for Detroit — 30th in yards, tied for last in yards per play, 29th in yards per rush and 26th in passing yards per game. It is an offense the Redskins should be able to bottle up. If the Redskins can win on first down, it will force Detroit to pass — and the Redskins have the clear advantage there.
Edge: Redskins
SPECIAL TEAMS
A bright spot for the Redskins has been their retooled coverage units. They rank first on kickoffs and sixth on punts. H.B. Blades and Reed Doughty, along with new punter Hunter Smith, have thrived. Detroit is second on punt returns and tied for sixth on kickoffs, so it’s a good matchup. The Redskins’ return game hasn’t gotten going yet; they have only two punt returns, and Rock Cartwright is averaging 24 yards an attempt on kickoffs.
Edge: Redskins
REDSKINS STARTERS
Offense
WR 89 Santana Moss
LT 60 Chris Samuels
LG 66 Derrick Dockery
C 61 Casey Rabach
RG 75 Chad Rinehart
RT 74 Stephon Heyer
TE 47 Chris Cooley
WR 12 Malcolm Kelly
QB 17 Jason Campbell
RB 26 Clinton Portis
FB 45 Mike Sellers
Defense
DE 99 Andre Carter
DT 96 Cornelius Griffin
DT 92 Albert Haynesworth
DE 93 Phillip Daniels
WLB 52 Rocky McIntosh
MLB 59 London Fletcher
SLB 98 Brian Orakpo
CB 23 DeAngelo Hall
CB 22 Carlos Rogers
SS 48 Chris Horton
FS 30 LaRon Landry
Specialists
K 6 Shaun Suisham
P 3 Hunter Smith
PR 82 Antwaan Randle El
KR 31 Rock Cartwright
KR 46 Ladell Betts
Injuries
Questionable: RB Clinton Portis (ankle).
Probable: QB Jason Campbell (foot), DT Anthony Montgomery (knee), OT Mike Williams (illness).
LIONS STARTERS
Offense
WR 80 Bryant Johnson
LT 76 Jeff Backus
LG 70 Daniel Loper
C 51 Dominic Raiola
RG 66 Stephen Peterman
RT 77 Gosder Cherilus
TE 89 Will Heller
WR 81 Calvin Johnson
QB 9 Matthew Stafford
RB 34 Kevin Smith
FB 45 Jerome Felton
Defense
DE 92 Cliff Avril
DT 90 Grady Jackson
DT 79 Sammie Lee Hill
DE 99 Dewayne White
OLB 59 Julian Peterson
MLB 55 Larry Foote
OLB 57 Jordon Dizon
CB 32 Anthony Henry
CB 31 Phillip Buchanon
SS 26 Louis Delmas
FS 40 Marquand Manuel
Specialists
K 4 Jason Hanson
P 2 Nick Harris
PR 31 Phillip Buchanon
KR 21 Aaron Brown
Injuries
Doubtful: DE Cliff Avril (hamstring), CB Eric King (shoulder), LB Ernie Sims (shoulder).
Questionable: CB Phillip Buchanon (neck), DE Andre Fluellen (knee), QB Drew Stanton (knee).
Probable: FB Jerome Felton (ankle), DT Sammie Lee Hill (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee), G Daniel Loper (knee), S Marquand Manuel (knee).
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