Game Preview: Redskins at Falcons

August 22, 2019

by Steve Thomas

Preseason game 3.  Better known as the dress rehearsal for the players at the top of the depth chart.  It’s not exactly a revelation to say that the Redskins haven’t lit the world on fire so far this offseason, but that’s better normal, isn’t it?  Regardless of the final scores, though, Washington did make some progress last week against the Bengals as compared to their horrific performance in the Browns game.  Let’s hope that trend continues and the team looks even better in Atlanta.  Don’t worry about the final score; pay attention to whether the first team offense and defense both look competent.  That’s what’s truly important about this game.  Head coach Jay Gruden has been roundly criticized over the years for failing to take preseason seriously enough, and for the most part getting annihilated in the preseason and early on in the regular season as a result.  Let’s hope that doesn’t happen this year.  It starts today.

Game time & location:           Thursday, August 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA; Gates open                                                             5:30 p.m. ET; parking lots open 3:00 p.m.

Television:                                NBC4/NBC Sports Washington

Television announcers:          Kenny Albert/Joe Theismann/Clinton Portis

Television replay:                    NFL Network, Friday, August 23, 4:00 a.m. ET

 

DC-area radio:                        ESPN 980 / WMAL 105.9 / 630 AM

Redskins radio network:       Click here

Falcons radio network:         Click here

Satellite radio:                        XM: 226 (Falcons broad.) Sirius: 108 (Redskins broad.); internet: 831 (Redskins broad.)

 

Redskins roster:                      Click here

Redskins depth chart:            Click here

Falcons roster:                        Click here

Falcons depth chart:              Click here

 

What to Watch For 

First team playing time

It’s safe to say that the Redskins first stringers need some work, considering that they’ve played about one and a half quarters total so far this preseason.  It’s safer to say that Jay Gruden doesn’t care and that they will probably get through to halftime at most.  Injuries are probably on the forefront of his mind moreso than play time, so keep an eye on playing time.  Don’t coach scared, Jay – these guys need to be ready for week one.

Is special teams going to continue to be a disaster?

Good lord, have the special teams been bad so far.  Rancid.  Disaster.  The coverage teams have already give up two returns for touchdowns, seemingly the only player who has in any way shown himself to be a plus returner, Shaun Wilson, now has a serious ankle injury, Nick Sundberg has had a number of bad snaps, and Dustin Hopkins was awful against the Bengals.  It can only go up from here, hopefully.  Keep a close eye on this, because the Redskins will have a very tough time winning in the regular season if this pattern continues.

Will Derrius Guice make his 2019 debut?

Coach Gruden has been a bit vague as to running back Derrius Guice’s health status but has also made it clear that he wants Guice to get cleared to play and get a few carries.  There’s probably no player on the roster who the fans are rooting for more than Guice (remember, he’s the guy who the national media claimed had character problems), so it’ll be great to see him get out there for a few handoffs.  If he does get in this game, watch Sportscenter for the highlights, because his return to action should be a national story.

The quarterback situation

At this point, there may not truly be a quarterback competition anymore, no matter what Gruden says or doesn’t say.  Dwayne Haskins probably isn’t ready to play quite yet, and Colt McCoy has the neverending leg injury, so the most likely outcome is that the job is Case Keenum’s to lose.  Unfortunately, Keenum hasn’t looked particularly good in game action so far this preseason.  I’m looking for him to take a dramatic step up this week and lead the Redskins to a score.

The mystery of Terry McClaurin

McLaurin supposedly has a bruised tailbone and hasn’t really played yet this preseason.  Considering how badly and consistently he torched defensive backs in training camp, though, a part of me wonder if Gruden isn’t sandbagging the NFL in his handling of McLaurin by hiding him from view until the regular season.  I have no real evidence of this mind you; this is just my crazy Oliver Stone-esq conspiracy theory.  I’m very excited to see McLaurin play, so keep an eye out for whether he actually sees the field this week.

The roster battle at corner

The Redskins still have a long list of corners who still have a legitimate shot at making the roster behind starters Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar, so keep an eye out on how the Redskins allocate the minutes amongst this group, particularly in light of Fabian Moreau’s ankle injury.  Aside from wide receiver, this group is probably the most interesting roster battle on the team, and it’s worth your time to watch you gets playing time and balls thrown their way.