The Redskins will host the Broncos in their final home game of the season. Denver boasts an elite defensive unit that is far better than their 5-9 record might suggest. They’re a top five defense against both the run and the pass, meaning the Redskins offense will need to play well to put up points. Here are three key matchups to look out for...
Miller has firmly established himself in the upper echelon of NFL pass rushers. He has 83.5 sacks since entering the league in 2011, including 10 this season. The Broncos like to rush him against both right and left tackles, but he will often match up against right tackles because they tend to be less athletic.
When Moses is challenged for speed, he can open up his hips to the sideline too early and lose his technique, surrendering leverage and leaving himself vulnerable to be set up for an inside rush. But Moses has handled speed rushers better this year than in the past, despite playing on two hurt ankles. Moses has faced many of the leagues best rushers this year, but Miller might be the best of them.
Harris is finally starting to get the recognition he deserves around the league. He’s been one of the better slot corners in the NFL for a while, but he has often been overlooked until recently because of his tendency to play inside instead of outside. He has seven passes defended this year, including two interceptions, and is very hard for slot receivers to shake.
Jamison Crowder is one of Washington’s most reliable weapons, and with the number of injuries the team has suffered, he’s one of the few remaining comfort blankets for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Crowder is often asked to win quickly underneath against slot corners, which will be a tougher task than normal this week. If Crowder can’t create separation, then that takes away Cousins’ underneath option, giving pass rushers such as Miller more time to get home.
Thomas is far and away the Broncos leading receiver this season. He has 73 catches for 840 yards and four touchdowns. While they will move him around, expect him to line up to the left of the formation more often than not, to keep him away from Josh Norman’s side. That means Breeland to step up to the plate and prevent Thomas from being the foundation of the Broncos passing offense.
