At the moment, the Washington Redskins are clinging to first place in the NFC East, but can they hold on given the injuries affecting the roster?
Not many teams in the NFL are as banged up as the Washington Redskins are right entering Week 11. In total, 13 players were listed on the team’s injury report headed into last week’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That didn’t include starting receiver Paul Richardson and Pro-Bowl guard Brandon Scherff, who were placed on injured reserve last Monday.
Somehow, some way, though, the Redskins handled the Buccaneers in a 16-3 win. The victory put their overall record to 6-3 and assured fans this team won’t go away easily despite an onslaught of injuries.
The defense, which has been the team’s crutch in 2018, surrendered over 500 yards, making Tampa Bay’s inability to score even more remarkable. Washington proved that the turnover margin is still a critical factor for which NFL team comes out on top. They produced four turnovers, including a fumble on their 2-yard line during the fourth quarter to seal it.
The surprising finish put the Redskins in the driver’s seat for the division with a promising remaining schedule. Next week, they will face the 6-3 Houston Texans. However, the final seven opponents have a combined 27-35 record.
Accompany that with the fact that they should return some healthy players, and Washington is primed to make the playoffs. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams should return in the next couple of weeks from thumb surgery and dynamic running-back Chris Thompson is also expected to be back soon after dealing with a broken rib. Also, slot receiver Jameson Crowder has missed the last five games with a sprained ankle, but was close to suiting up against Tampa Bay.
In the meantime, the Redskins will continue to lean on consistent quarterback play from Alex Smith and a workhorse approach from running back Adrian Peterson. Their offense has done a great job winning the field position battle by protecting the football. Smith has only thrown three interceptions on the year and Peterson has only lost one fumble.
Washington’s defense doesn’t appear to be going anywhere so it will be up to the offense to keep this team afloat. At least until more vital players are healthy enough to contribute.