Oct 29, 20183 min read

Victory Monday Edition: The Defense Rose to the Occasion

Welcome back to another Victory Monday Edition of The Burgundy and Gold Report. The 20-13 win versus New York was a game in which the Redskins imposed their will and controlled the game. A Giants touchdown in the final minutes would be the only time they saw the end zone all afternoon. Redskins running back Adrian Peterson once again put the Redskins offense on his back rushing for 149 with a rushing TD and receiving TD. The story of the day would be the Redskins defense though.

For the third consecutive week, the Redskins defense dominated while putting the team on their back. On a day filled with penalties and miscues on offense, the Redskins pass rush, along with DJ Swearinger, continued to show the brand of football that old school fans have come to know and love.

In place of a high octane aerial attack was a “punch you in the mouth” run game, in which Washington took control of the trenches. Once again, Washington’s defense limited one the the leagues top running backs, Saquan Barkley rendering him an afterthought. Stats don’t always tell the full story of a game and the usual suspects on the Skins defense imposed their will once again.

The Men of the Hour

DJ Swearinger

Redskins’ safety DJ Swearinger has made his stake to be mentioned as the top safety in the league. That might be high praise for a defensive back labeled with limited range and average speed. As Swearinger has become frequently more outspoken off the field regarding his opinions of this teams practice habits, he has backed up his talk with stellar performance game after game. Today he recorded 4 tackles with 2 interceptions. Once again the the seventh year safety was all over the field and nearly added another interception to his total. Look for DJ to continue this pace and rally the young defensive backs around him.

Matt Ioannidis

Redskins defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis played the game of his life in the win versus New York. Registering 2.5 sacks and 4 tackles which displays what type of player he can be with a little more playing time. Using his brute strength, he kept the Giants O-linemen on skates all afternoon. Although OLB Preston Smith had his moments, the defense needs to design more packages for Ioannidis in place of Preston. This defensive line improves every week, but the former Temple lineman has shown he now needs to be spoken among the leagues elite.

The Alabama Wall Allen & Payne

The Alabama duo John Allen & Daron Payne once again had a stellar performance and combined for 2 sacks on the day. Their presence was felt in the run game limiting rookie phenom RB Saquan Barkley to a mere 38 rushing yards for a 2.9 per carry average. The pair have become known as the “Alabama Wall” among teammates and fans. This was exactly what Barkley ran into all day. Along with Ioannidis this could be the best line the Redskins have had since the glory days of Dexter Manly & Charles Mann. That might be high praise, but this unit has the ability and work ethic to one day get there.

Ryan Kerrigan

For the second game in a row OLB Ryan Kerrigan got to the quarterback and finished with 1.5 sacks and 2 tackles. He pressured Manning all afternoon and sealed the edge in the run game better than any other linebacker on the team. Kerrigan seems to be a player that gains momentum as the game progresses and he feeds off of his teammate’s energy. Kerrigan and his fellow linebackers just need to follow the defensive line’s lead and the defense could be viewed as elite by year’s end.

The “Men of the Hour” are showing just how valuable to this team’s success they are. Having Swearinger manning the outfield with Kerrigan, Allen, Payne and Ioannidis holding down the trenches is key to this teams present and future success. As a team, they finished with 7 sacks and 2 interceptions versus NY; those type of numbers will win ball games. Some might focus on how bad the Giants offense played rather than just how great the Redskins played. The only way this team will gain national respect is to simply continue their course and control the line of scrimmage as they’ve done all year.

Thanks for checking out another B&G Report. As Redskins fans we should take the next 24 hours to enjoy the win and the view from the top of the NFC East with a 5-2 record. On Tuesday it will be time to breakdown the Redskins next opponent the Atlanta Falcons, until them enjoy another Victory Monday Redskins Nation!