The Washington Redskins conclude the first half of their 2012 regular season in Week 8 as they travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff from Heinz Field is set for 1 p.m. ET.
The Redskins will bring the “East Coast Offense” to the coast of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers, as Washington’s dynamic rookie duo of quarterback Robert Griffin III and running back Alfred Morris help lead the league’s top rushing attack (177.7 yards per game). Between Morris and Griffin III have combined to rush for 1,126 yards this season, and in doing so, the Redskins rookies alone have outrushed a total of 30 NFL teams through Week 7 of the 2012 season.
Defensively, the Redskins are in the midst of an eight-game stretch (dating back to last season) in which they’ve intercepted at least one pass. Sunday, the Redskins will attempt to have a pick in nine consecutive games for the first time since doing so across two seasons from Weeks 16-17 of the 1995 season through Weeks 1-8 of the 1996 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.
London Fletcher is prepped for excellence - London Fletcher’s long consecutive game streak was very much in doubt earlier this week. But on Friday, Fletcher practiced fully after being medically cleared for a non-concussion.
As we discussed in our “Football Friday Film Studay” the Steelers’ 8-year tight end Heath Miller has been ‘big money’ and he targets middle linebackers a lot. The Redskins need London Fletcher to play well in coverage in order for the defense to contain Heath Miller.
Leonard Hankerson is prepped for excellence - Hankerson has flashed on numerous occasions this season. The problem is, he still needs to become a more consistent ball catcher. He gets lazy at times, and Washington needs him to step up today against the Steelers.
There hasn’t been a defense that’s stopped Hankerson’s deep middle route. The only person that’s stopping Hankerson from making big plays is the man himself. With the Redskins suffering injuries with two of their main receiving targets, Hankerson has to step up and be a consistent player.
DeAngelo Hall is prepped for excellence - Hall’s stats may not reflect the way he’s playing this season, but he’s done a decent job playing in a secondary that’s simply not good.
Hall will be all over the field today. He’ll play some man, nickel, and safety in attempt to limit the Steelers’ speedy receivers.
Alfred Morris is prepped for excellence – It will be a wet field and likely rain throughout today’s game. That’s Washington Redskins’ football weather. If they’re smart, they will smash the football all day until the Steelers stop it.
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