Five questions facing the Redskins as they host Tampa Bay on Sunday:
1. How will Robert Griffin III perform? The quarterback fared well enough in his return from a dislocated left ankle on Nov. 2 at Minnesota, but the Redskins were unable to win the game when a late drive stalled at midfield. Sunday provides Griffin with another opportunity to take another step in his continued development.
2. Can the pass defense contain Tampa Bay’s bigger receivers? The fleet-footed Vincent Jackson and big-bodied rookie Mike Evans have gained yards and scored points despite an unstable quarterback situation. Washington’s young cornerbacks have navigated such challenges well this season, but the entire secondary is coming off a dismal performance rife with miscommunications.
3. Will the play-action game continue to be effective? With Griffin back behind center and running back Alfred Morris effective in the last two outings, the threat of the big gain has never been greater this season. Tampa Bay’s Cover 2 scheme, theoretically, should be disciplined enough to handle that threat.
4. How disruptive will Gerald McCoy be? The Buccaneers’ talented defensive tackle has five sacks this season and will encounter a Redskins offensive line that has been susceptible to interior pressure. Tampa Bay’s defense may be struggling, but McCoy and defensive ends William Gholston and Michael Johnson could find a spark.
5. What kind of impact will the returns of Barry Cofield and Leonard Hankerson have? Cofield, the starting nose tackle, could see time at defensive end in some packages and should boost the pass rush on the defensive line. Hankerson, at 6-foot-2 the tallest wide receiver on the roster, can help on third-down and red-zone situations.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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