Which Game Will Be Most Critical In The Fourth Quarter Of The Redskins Season?

The Fourth Quarter Opponents

Week 14: New York Giants

Week 15: @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 16: @ Tennessee Titans

Week 17: Philadelphia Eagles

The Redskins will kick off the last leg of the season with another divisional matchup hosting the Giants. Hopefully, the second meeting between the two teams will result in a Redskins victory. In an earlier article in the series I mentioned how the Redskins defense will have to be up to the task to contain not only Saquon Barkley but also Odell Beckham, Evan Engram, and Sterling Shepherd. The pass rush and energy of the team specifically the defense will have to show up here to avoid an embarrassing outing.

The Redskins travel south the week after for another tough matchup. This one features a potential Super Bowl contender and top defense. Despite where the team is at this point during the season playing the Jaguars tough and even having the possibility of upsetting them would be a statement. The Redskin offense is going to have their hands full in this one. If he’s healthy Josh Doctson having success against the Jacksonville corners would mark a potential breakout for him. The Jaguars DL is ferocious and deep so I hope the Redskins offensive line is still healthy. The Redskins have a chance at an upset only if they can take advantage of Bortles and contain Fournette. The key here will be to force turnovers and convert them into points. Can the Redskins do it ?

The Redskins are on the road again the week after against the Titans who may very well be competing for a wild card spot in the AFC South. This is a game the Redskins can win and I hope Alex Smith is hungry for revenge after the Titans ended his playoff hopes last year. The Titans have a solid defense and one of the best young safeties in the league but there are some positional weaknesses the Redskins can take advantage of. If the Redskins can rush the ball and get some significant and effective interior OL blocking they can take advantage of the Titans ILB unit which features rookie Rashaan Evans. They can also look to challenge the cornerbacks specifically Adoree Jackson who is still learning and catching up with his coverage responsibilities. The Redskins defense will again face a bruising methodical runner in Derrick Henry and will have to again slow him down for the entirety of the game. The secondary will have to remain sharp as well especially against Delanie Walker and Corey Davis who is looking to have a breakout second season. I think this is arguably the most critical game for the Skins to win during this run.

The Redskins end the regular season by hosting the Eagles at home. It would be great is somehow a Redskins win would knock the Eagles out of the playoffs and get the Redskins in but the Eagles will probably be resting their starters this game. If so the Redskins need to play hard all the way to the end - something that seems to have been lacking recently - this is a game they should win given that scenario.

Which opponent do ya’ll think is most critical for the team to beat. With how tough the schedule is do you still have faith the Redskins will be in position to make the playoffs during this run?