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KICKOFF: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, University of Phoenix Stadium. TV: FOX, Dick Stockton, Chris Spielman, Kristina Pink. SERIES HISTORY: The 122nd regular-season meeting. Washington leads the series, 74-45-2. Washington has won eight of the last nine meetings. Arizona won the last game 30-20 on Oct. 12, 2014, in Glendale and Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions.
Washington Redskins (6-4-1) at Arizona Cardinals (4-6-1)
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KEYS TO THE GAME:
The Cardinals seem suited to at least slowing Washington's passing attack. After all, they rank second in the league in fewest passing yards allowed and have generally held tight ends in check. But that didn't help them against Atlanta, the NFL's top-ranked offense, in a 38-19 loss last week. Undisciplined play has proven costly for Arizona, which takes unnecessary penalties and frustrates its coaching staff.
Washington does need more from its rushing attack this week. Robert Kelley finally had a down game against Dallas after three strong weeks. But the offense should be able to put points up against the Cardinals. Tight end Jordan Reed is out (shoulder), but a rejuvenatedVernon Davis could make up for that loss -- as he did in two games Reed missed in October with a concussion.
The Cardinals know they have to get pressure on Kirk Cousins, not let him escape the pocket and make throws on the run or get outside and pick up yardage on his own. Arizona has been hit and miss when corralling similar quarterbacks this season. The secondary will need to play tighter press coverage against the Redskins' trio of deep threats, which will require cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Marcus Cooper to win one-on-one matchups.
Offensively, look for the Cardinals to stick with the running game behind the legs of David Johnson more than they have in recent weeks, as Johnson's ability to break games wide open is clearly evident. Johnson's success will depend on the Cardinals' defense, but coach Bruce Arians may have realized that he's gone away from the running game far too early in some losses. As much as Arians would love to get speedy receivers John Brown and J.J. Nelson more involved in the passing game, each of those two have proven unreliable lately, so expect a healthy dose of throws from Carson Palmer to Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd.
Washington's safeties and linebackers have been exposed in coverage in recent weeks against Green Bay and Dallas. The Redskins also aren't particularly adept at stopping the run (25th in rushing yards allowed per game).
One area Washington can take advantage is Arizona's patchwork offensive line. Palmer has been pummeled over the past two weeks and has been sacked 32 times this season. The Redskins' pass rush -- especially linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith and Trent Murphy -- have to find a way to get pressure on Palmer and take advantage of a porous line.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Redskins WR DeSean Jackson vs. Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson. A key to neutralizing Jackson is to be physical with him at the line, and Peterson certainly can do that. In recent weeks, he has been frustrated because referees have been hitting him with penalties. One risk: Peterson hurt his left knee vs. Atlanta last week. He didn't practice Wednesday. Jackson is nursing a left shoulder injury but played well against Dallas last Thursday, scoring on a 67-yard catch. He is one of the game's preeminent deep threats.
--Cardinals RB David Johnson vs. Redskins LB Su'a Cravens. Cravens' versatility is key here because he can run with Johnson. Unfortunately, he's also facing a player who is equal in size (225 pounds), can move like a wide receiver and has great hands. Arizona uses Johnson in the slot often. He caught a touchdown pass on a slant against Minnesota and almost had another last weekend against Atlanta.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT:
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
--Out: DE Anthony Lanier (shin), TE Jordan Reed (shoulder)
--Questionable: CB Bashaud Breeland (ankle), LB Terence Garvin (shoulder), DE Ricky Jean Francois (knee), LB Trent Murphy (ankle), T Ty Nsekhe (ankle), G Brandon Scherff (ankle), LS Nick Sundberg (back), RB Chris Thompson (illness)
ARIZONA CARDINALS
--Doubtful: S Tyrann Mathieu (shoulder)
--Questionable: WR John Brown (illness)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Cardinals LT D.J. Humphries. He will make his second straight start at left tackle after playing the previous 11 games as the right tackle. It was clear that John Wetzel wasn't ready to handle left tackle, and Humphries looked like an obvious upgrade at the position in his first start last week against Atlanta. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said, "He looked very natural at it. ... I think he's going to continue to get better."
FAST FACTS:
Redskins QB Kirk Cousins has completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 1,086 yards (362 per game), eight TDs and no interceptions in his past three games. He has eclipsed 400 yards in his past two road games and ranks second in the NFL with 3,540 yards.
Redskins RB Robert Kelley ranks third among NFC rookies with 461 rushing yards and four TDs.
In his past five games, Redskins WR Jamison Crowder has 31 receptions for 442 yards and three scores. He is averaging eight receptions and 101 yards in his past three road games.
Cardinals QB Carson Palmer passed for 250 yards and two TDs in the last meeting. He has thrown for 300 yards in two straight games.
Arizona RB David Johnson leads the NFL with 1,534 scrimmage yards (921 rushing) and 13 TDs (10 rushing). He has at least 100 scrimmage yards in all 11 games.
Arizona LB Chandler Jones has six sacks and two forced fumbles in six home games.
PREDICTION:
The Redskins have been losing a lot of close games on the road recently, and they are going against the league's best dual-threat running back and a defense that has been good at home.
OUR PICK: Cardinals, 23-21.
