Bengals vs Redskins: Players Prepped For Excellence

The Washington Redskins open the home slate of their 80th Anniversary season on Sunday, as the team hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 on Sunday. Kickoff from FedExField is set for 1 p.m. ET.

The national spotlight is on quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has completed 39-of-55 passes for 526 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 111.6 in his first two games. But Griffin III is one-half of a rookie duo that has led to a resurgence of the Redskins’ running game, as he and rookie starting running back Alfred Morris have helped the Redskins post consecutive 150-yard rushing games for the first time since the team posted four consecutive 150-yard rushing games in Weeks 4-7 of the 2008 season.

Players prepped for excellence is a weekly game preview listing two players from the Redskins’ offense and defense that are destined for a strong performance in the team’s upcoming match-up. 

Leonard Hankerson is prepped for excellence - The Redskins have scored 51 offensive points in the last 2 games without Robert Griffin III’s main target – Pierre Garçon. Washington has preached about adding team depth and they have successfully accomplished that at the receiver position. Last week, Leonard Hankerson took advantage of his opportunity to sub-in at both the “X” and “Z” receiver position – scoring his first career touchdown on a 68 yard bomb from Griffin III.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan raved about Hankerson earlier this week – “I thought Hank did a great job,” Shanahan said. He made a big play for us down the field, which I think everybody saw. He had a great game away fro

m the ball. He had some really key blocks on one of Robert’s [Robert Griffin III] runs that he scored on, on both of them actually. We wouldn’t have had it if Hank didn’t make a key block. I think he played an all-around good game – his best game yet.”

Hankerson will continue proving to the coaching staff that he’s worthy of being a starter at the receiver position. Hankerson and Joshua Morgan battled in the off-season for the starting receiver job opposite of Garçon, but Morgan won mostly because of his consistency in pre-season games. Consistency is key and Hankerson knows he must have another excellent outing to earn himself more playtime.

Cedric Griffin is prepped for excellence - Although Josh Wilson will suit up – Cedric Griffin will likely be matched against the Bengals’ star receiver A.J Green for most of the day. Washington likes Griffin’s size and ability to get physical with bigger receivers. As long as Griffin is playing bump-n-run he will hold his own against A.J Green.

Cedric Griffin did a great job week 1 against the Saints #1 wide-out Marques Colston. He played Colston physical at the “point of attack” – forcing Colton out of his routes early in the QB’s progression. The Bengals’ QB, Andy Dalton is a tempo QB and the Redskins must force him to beat the secondary deep. This means, Griffin and Washington’s other corners have to take away the plays underneath.

When A.J Green isn’t going deep – he’s loves running quick “in” routes where he’s able to block defenders off with his body. If Cedric Griffin is able to get physical with A.J at the line of scrimmage, the timing will be off – forcing Dalton to throw inaccurate balls.

Roy Helu Jr. is prepped for excellence - Helu Jr. has not been utilized much in Washington’s first two regular season games. However, Washington could use him a lot in their match-up against the Bengals.

Cincinnati has struggled against draws and receivers out of the backfield. Therefore, the Redskins would be wise to allow Helu Jr. to be a target out the backfield early and often, in addition to using Helu Jr. in the run game. His speed and agility could cause match-up issues for the Bengals.

Ryan Kerrigan is prepped for excellence - With Brian Orakpo out for the season, Ryan Kerrigan is prepared to prove he can consistently be a nightmare for offensive linemen – without his fellow edge rusher.

Kerrigan has a knack for not only sacking QB’s, but also creating turnovers. His ability to force turnovers is something Orakpo struggled to do. Even if Kerrigan is unable to sack quarterbacks, he’s a threat at all times.