'Skins Week 7 Preview: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Play FedEx Field
Written by DCist contributor Elisabeth Meinecke
Which side of the Redskins/Browns will show up to play Sunday?
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: The Redskins had no offensive turnovers and four consecutive wins before Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Rams, which brought back nightmarish recollections of an awkward Week 1 performance. The Browns had an offense ranked 32nd in the NFL earlier this year and a quarterback with more interceptions than touchdowns before Cleveland clobbered the undefeated New York Giants 35-14 Monday night (Derek Anderson emerged with a 121.3 passer rating; he had posted a 22.9 earlier this season against Baltimore). Cleveland didn't allow a sack in that game; the Redskins allowed four on Sunday. The Redskins committed three offensive turnovers, while Cleveland had none. Cleveland finally played up to its preseason hype with 454 total yards on offense, 154 of those belonging to wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
Changing Personnel, Not Just Personality: Not to be outdone by the high profile backup warming Cleveland's bench, the Redskins signed one of their own this week – Pro Bowler and West Coast offense veteran Shaun Alexander, who will replace backup running back Ladell Betts (out with a sprained knee). The most carries Betts saw in a game this year was 11, against Dallas. The Redskins also signed punter Ryan Plackemeier, who we hope surpasses the relatively low bar of expectation set by his predecessor, Durant Brooks (not hard when punts over 26 yards are considered improvement). Brooks was officially "waived/injured," which sounds appropriately diplomatic for D.C. Safety Reed Doughty went on injured reserve, and neither Chris Horton nor Clinton Portis participated in Wednesday's practice, though both are in Sunday's projected starting lineup. Meanwhile, Browns wide receiver Kellen Winslow was released from the hospital this week, and Coach Romeo Crennel puts Winslow's odds of playing Sunday at 50/50.
End of the Story: We're not sure which side of either team we'll see Sunday: the efficient Dr. Jekyll or the spastic Mr. Hyde. Offensively, the Redskins can -- and should -- depend on Portis, who led the NFL this week with 129 yards on 21 carries (his 643 yards on the season are also a league-high; Cleveland ranks 25th defending the run). Santana Moss seems to be the team barometer (provided you discount Week 5 against Philly) -- if he's hot or cold, it usually reflects in the 'Skins win-loss column. The three turnovers created by Cleveland's defense Monday were all interceptions, which Jason Campbell has yet to throw (though we're sure Cleveland will be content with a repeat of the 'Skins' 3-turnover performance on the ground). Also, watch out for Cleveland corner rookie Erick Wright, who has 3 interceptions this season. The Redskins are solid at defense (8th overall) and should rattle Derek Anderson early and often, though apparently nothing short of the Apocalypse will induce Crennel to yank Anderson for Quinn. False starts are literal as well as theoretical this year for Cleveland – the Browns had 6 false starts calls Monday, so Redskins and their fans should take advantage.
For the Chips 'N Dip crowd: Guys, grab your earplugs. Ladies, consider this your public service announcement: backup quarterback Brady Quinn -- God's gift to women forced to watch football -- will be in Washington, D.C. Sunday on the Browns sideline. Girls, feel free to shamelessly impress the guys with your undivided attention to the television set during the game -- just don't let on you're looking at the sidelines and not the field.