Falcons (3-4) at Redskins (5-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FedExField, Landover, Maryland
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s by 2
Falcons’ keys to victory: Washington’s defense is one of the best in the league, but this shouldn’t deter the Falcons from relying on their passing game. QB Matt Ryan needs to test the Redskins secondary whenever he can by finding star WRs Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones down the field. Defensively, the Falcons must stop Washington’s run game and force Redskins QB Alex Smith to try to make longer, more difficult throws that are outside his comfort zone. Smith’s average of 6.8 yards per attempt is among the lowest in the league, but that isn’t surprising — his career average is 7.1.
Redskins’ keys to victory: The Redskins have to rely on their defense to beat the Falcons, especially since Atlanta’s versatile and potent offense can easily put up points. Offensively, the Redskins have to quickly establish a running game with RBs Adrian Peterson (who ran for 149 yards last week against the New York Giants) and Chris Thompson. The Redskins also will have to hope that QB Alex Smith can get into a passing rhythm early.
Matchup to watch: Falcons receivers vs. Redskins secondary. Whoever wins this matchup likely will win. If Washington CBs Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar can stop Jones and Ridley, the advantage goes to the Redskins.
Who wins? The Redskins have played fairly well over the last couple of weeks, but it wouldn’t be surprising if their early-season inconsistencies again popped up. Overall, Atlanta’s offense will be too much for the Redskins to handle.
Falcons, 31-13 line: Redskins FALCONS SCHEDULE
L .... atPhiladelphia .... 18-12 W .......... Carolina .......... 31-24 L..New Orleans..43-37 (OT) L ......... Cincinnati ......... 37-36 L ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 41-17 W ....... Tampa Bay ....... 34-29 W ....... N.Y.Giants ....... 23-20 Oct. 28 ............... Bye ............... Nov. 4 .... at Washington .... 1 Nov. 11 ..... at Cleveland ..... 1 Nov. 18 ........... Dallas ........... 1 Nov. 22 .at New Orlns .8:20 Dec. 2 ......... Baltimore ......... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at Green Bay ...... 1 Dec. 16 .......... Arizona .......... 1 Dec. 23 ....... at Carolina ....... 1 Dec. 30 .... at Tampa Bay .... 1
W ......... at Arizona ......... 24-6 L ....... Indianapolis ....... 21-9 W ....... Green Bay ....... 31-17 Sept. 30 ............. Bye ............. L ...at New Orleans ... 43-19 W ......... Carolina ......... 23-17 W ........... Dallas ........... 20-17 W .... at N.Y. Giants .... 20-13 Nov.4 .......... Atlanta .......... 1 Nov. 11 ... at Tampa Bay ...1 Nov. 18 ........ Houston ........ 1 Nov. 22 ..... at Dallas ..... 4:30 Dec. 3 at Philadelphia 8:15 Dec. 9 ....... N.Y. Giants ....... 1 Dec. 16 ..at Jacksonville ..1 Dec. 23 ...at Tennessee ...1 Dec. 30 .... Philadelphia .... 1