Wembley will host a vital game for both the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins, two teams trying to stay relevant in their respective divisions in Week 8.
The Bengals are 3-4 and third in the AFC North, while defending NFC East champion Washington is 4-3. Both teams experienced contrasting fortunes in Week 7, with Cincy beating Ohio rivals the Cleveland Browns, while the Redskins let a W slip late against the Detroit Lions.
The spotlight in London will likely be on both quarterbacks. Bengals passer Andy Dalton has taken 22 sacks already, but he’s also thrown for eight touchdowns and completed 67.5 percent of his passes.
On the other side, Kirk Cousins always seems to be under scrutiny in Washington no matter how well he performs. The 2012 fourth-round pick, who was always a better fit than draft bust Robert Griffin III, has thrown for 10 scores. But six interceptions continue to dog Cousins and how he’s viewed by the Burgundy and Gold faithful.
Regardless of the way he’s perceived, Cousins is as effective as any passer once he finds his rhythm. It helps when he’s surrounded by so many weapons.
Wideouts DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and increasingly impressive slot-specialist Jamison Crowder can undermine any coverage. So can tight ends Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed. Then there’s running backs Matt Jones, Robert Kelley and Chris Thompson, all effective pass-catchers out of the backfield.
Odds
Line: CIN (-2.5)
Over/Under: 45.5
Cousins loves to share the passes between this loaded supporting cast, as Jay Morrison of My Dayton Daily News noted: “Cousins’ three leading targets, tight end Jordan Reed and wide receivers Jamison Crowder and Pierre Garçon, each have between 30 and 33 receptions and 316 and 391 yards.”
This one of the deepest offenses in the NFL, put together by former Bengals coordinator Jay Gruden. Of course, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther know what Gruden likes to do.
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The pair would normally have the chance to exploit Gruden’s pass-heavy tendencies. Bringing the blitz is one of the few things the Bengals D’ has done well this season. Guenther has designed full-house pressures sending six or seven. He’s also been adept at mixing in safety blitzes like the ones Shawn Williams caused havoc on against the Browns.
However, the Redskins have looked more comfortable on the ground recently. Gruden and coordinator Sean McVay have given Jones, Kelley and Co. more carries. In fact, Jones and Thompson are “averaging 93.2 yards on the ground,” according to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
That level of production could spell trouble for the league’s 24th-ranked rushing defense. Guenther needs interior D-linemen Geno Atkins and Domata Peko to get back to their destructive best.
Gunether would also be wise to have his players target the ball, particularly if Jones is carrying the rock. The second-year back has been plagued by ball-security issues, coughing up the pill twice in the Motor City.
Jones has other problems as well, particularly in pass protection, as this highlight relayed Hogs Haven’s Robert Duncan shows:
Jones was absent from practice recently, but Thompson is also the not strongest blocker, so Gunether would be wise to target Washington’s backs in protection. Vontaze Burfict, Vincent Rey and Williams should be deadly on interior pressures.
As for heat off the edge, the Bengals know they can rely on Carlos Dunlap. He’s got five sacks already and can be a force if Guenther moves him around to target weak blockers.
However, the Redskins’ O-line got a boost when its best player made it onto the practice field this week, along with two other notable names, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post:
If Norman plays, he’ll be tasked with tracking A.J. Green, not an easy assignment for any pro cornerback. Green is in peak form in 2016, having varied his game, both in terms of route concepts and pre-snap alignments.
He could dominate in London, especially if Norman can’t go after suffering a concussion against the Lions.
Yet like Cousins, Dalton can spread the ball around to a host of other targets. Chief among his non-Green choices has to be versatile running back Giovani Bernard.
He can be an obvious mismatch against Redskins linebackers such as Will Compton and Ryan Kerrigan, who often lose receivers in space.
But the real matchup nightmare should be returning tight end Tyler Eifert. He was back from injury last week, and Lewis has already indicated Eifter will do more in Week 8, per Geoff Hobson of the team’s official site:
Eifert and Bernard can strike on the quick-hitters Dalton may need to throw if his O-line is below full strength. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth and guard Clint Boling missed practice, but the real problem could be on the right where Cincy needs to corral Washington end Chris Baker, who is approaching dominance lately.
Neither side will enjoy a clear home advantage, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more Redskins fans than Bengals in attendance at Wembley. But the outcome won’t be decided by allegiances in the stands.
Next: NFL power rankings, Week 8: Chargers rise, Redskins fall
Instead, everything will depend on Guenther’s ability to make life uncomfortable for Cousins. If the Bengals defense can, Cincy will win to put more pressure on the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers in the North.
Pick: Bengals 27, Redskins 21