The Redskins players succeeded in riling up the fans this week, which makes it even more important to beat the Houston Texans.

Following Washington’s road victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Redskins players took the time addressing an issue that has plagued the team for a significant length of time, fan support. The current Redskins players do not sense a real home-field advantage at FedEx field on game days, which is a legitimate issue. The current players are having to endure a fan base so blasé about the team given their past, resulting in these same fans not being able to allow them to enjoy the present.

Both perspectives, from the players and fan perspective, are actual realities. However, what the Redskins players are trying to get across may have hit home to many fans who were reluctant to support a team that has emotionally scarred them. Well, it is go time for the Redskins now, one half of the job is done, and the Redskins cannot afford to let the fans down in a week that was made all about them. So, there is no other way around it, Washington must beat the Houston Texans this week.

The path to 7-3 for Washington will not be a smooth one. The Texans come into FedEx field first place in their respective division, boasting a 6-3 record, a top 10 defense, and a top 15 offense. What makes Houston an exciting team is their star power. Deshaun Watson is one of the better young quarterbacks in today’s NFL for the second straight season, DeAndre Hopkins is arguably a top three receiver in the league, J.J. Watt is one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league, Jadeveon Clowney has become a feared edge rusher, and Tyrann Mathieu is one of the better playmakers at the safety position. Yes, names galore, but they are not unbeatable, and their schedule proves that.

According to football outsider’s advanced analytics, the Houston Texans come into week 11 having played the seventh-easiest Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) schedule to this point. In comparison, the Redskins themselves have played the fifth-easiest. So, yes in comparison the Redskins have played lesser opponents than the Texans by a slight margin; however, both teams come into the game evenly matched.

Houston has the seventh worst offensive DVOA, which creates another opportunity for the Redskins defense to control the game given their history against more efficient offenses this season. Where Houston struggles at offensively, the Redskins have had issues defending. Although the Redskins defense rank fifth in rushing yards per game, they are giving up over four yards per carry, and have given up over 100 yards per game the last two weeks against lousy rushing offenses. An evident vulnerability heading into the game this week for Washington, however, the Texans are genuinely inefficient on the ground, and their offensive line struggles mightily. This bodes well for a front seven who will likely be able to force the Texans to pass more often than they would like.

For the Redskins offense, the Texans are a different beast. Washington will be facing a defense that is number one against the rush and can pressure the quarterback. Washington will need to have one of the better games offensively in order to have a chance to win, and this is another game in which the first person to 20 will likely win the game.

Washington has something to prove this weekend, both the players and their fans. The Redskins are 3-2 at home, and the two losses have been complete duds. Yes, the Redskins are 6-3 and fighting for an NFC East title, but this week they must compete against and beat a top tier AFC team. There are no excuses for them this week. To the fans, it is just time to let go of the past, be a part of the present. “How about win some football games” does not suffice this week, or the rest of this season, show up and change the perception of the home crowd.