Game Preview: Broncos at Redskins
August 23, 2018
by Steve Thomas
I can’t believe how close the regular season is! Only two more weeks before these things start to count. Before that happens though, the preliminaries still need to be done, and this week, that means the Denver Broncos. The third preseason game is traditionally the contest in which the starters play the longest, so if form holds, we’ll see the Redskins first string have a good run at a minimum. It goes without saying that the injury bug needs to stay away, because we’ve had enough of that, but more importantly, we’re looking for solid performances on both sides of the ball while the starters are on the field. Enjoy the last home preseason game, folks, because it’s about to get real.
Game time & location: Friday, August 24, 7:30 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Landover, MD; Gates open 5:30 p.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 2:30 p.m.; all other parking lots 3:30 p.m.
Television: NBC4/NBC Sports Washington
Television announcers: Kenny Albert/Joe Theismann/Clinton Portis
Television replay: NFL Network, Saturday, August 25, 6:30 a.m. ET
DC-area radio: ESPN 980
Redskins radio network: Click here
Broncos radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: XM and Sirius: 88 (Redskins broad.); internet: 831 (Redskins broad.)
Redskins roster: Click here
Redskins depth chart: Click here
Broncos roster: Click here
Broncos depth chart: Click here
What to Watch For
Adrian Peterson’s Redskins Debut
Obviously, the Redskins made a dramatic move in their rushing game this week with the addition of Peterson. What you should watch for, though, is whether head coach Jay Gruden modifies his run scheme to lean more towards Peterson’s strength, which is gap out of the I or offset I, not a zone stretch runs. If you see Peterson primarily running out of the I, it means that Gruden is adapting to his players. If you see Peterson running stretch plays, it means that Gruden is trying to make his players adapt to the scheme, and it might not go so well.
Progression in the Passing Game
Quarterback Alex Smith made little more than a cameo appearance in the Jets game last week. This is the third and traditionally most important preseason game, and Smith very much needs to get some work in with his starting receivers during game situations. We know that Smith and tight end Vernon Davis already have a good relationship and are probably on the same page; watch for whether Smith, Josh Docston, and Paul Richardson look to be in sync with each other.
Front Seven Pass Rush
Last week against the Jets, we saw rookie defensive tackle Daron Payne exhibit some good technique in route to a somewhat surprising sack. Whether the defensive line can continue to produce pressure up the middle – something missing for years – will bode well for the regular season. We know Ryan Kerrigan will produce, but can guys in the middle like Payne and Settle do the same? If the answer is “yes” against the Broncos, consider that as a positive sign.
First team playing time
Every year, Gruden seems to play his starters less and less in the preseason, and the trend has continued this season. Considering the enormity of the injuries that have already occurred, it’s somewhat understandable. In years past, starters used to play three quarters of the third preseason game. It’s dwindled down to one half recently, and now there are rumors that the starters might not go much more than a quarter. Gruden’s teams have a history of being unprepared for week one, and his camps are known to be something less than stressful, but the fact remains that the Redskins’ first team needs to actually play. Watch for how long the starters go.
Battle in the defensive backfield
The battle for roster spots marches on. The top of the roster is set, but be on the lookout for which of the young players in the defensive start to separate – Greg Stroman and Danny Johnson are the early favorites, but we haven’t seen what Adonis Alexander can do yet, and there are several others who are vying for a job, so keep a close eye on which of the back of the roster corners starts to do well. Given this year’s roster construction, it’s just a fact that at least one of these rookies is going to see significant regular season playing time.