Can Joe Flacco exploit a subpar Redskins pass defense?
On paper, this appears to be a favorable matchup for Flacco and the Ravens' passing game. Washington is second-to-last in the NFL in pass defense and is dealing with issues regarding two of its top three cornerbacks. Top corner DeAngelo Hall is hampered by knee and ankle injuries, although he's expected to play Sunday, and nickel back Cedric Griffin has been suspended for the rest of the regular season. But, then again, the only consistent thing about the Ravens' passing game this year has been its inconsistency. Flacco has thrown for 341 yards or more four times this year, but has also been limited to 188 yards or less in five of the last eight games.
How much more is Ray Rice going to be involved this week?
Ray Rice's workload, or lack thereof at times, has been a popular topic this year, and once again this week after Rice carried the ball just five times during the second half of last week's loss to the Steelers. Rice finished with just 12 carries Sunday, the fourth times this season he's carried the ball 13 times or less. It wouldn't be a surprise to see his rushing workload once again limited to a certain degree this week. The Redskins are much stronger against the run (fourth in the NFL) than they are against the pass (31st) and there does figure to be opportunities for Flacco to make some plays through the air.
How's the Ravens' defense going to fare against the Redskins offense?
With dynamic rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III at the helm, Washington has scored 28 points or more six times this season, including at least 31 points in two of its last three games. Griffin will test a Ravens pass defense that remains a large question mark at this point of the season while rookie running back Alfred Morris will challenge a Baltimore run defense that struggled during the first half of the year but has limited opposing running backs to an average of just 3.8 yards per carry in the five games since the team's bye week.
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