Redskins-Falcons Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Redskins-Falcons

SCOUTING REPORT

Redskins-Falcons: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Redskins-Falcons matchup. 1. Washington needs to establish the run early: The Falcons are somewhat vulnerable to the run, giving up 122 yards at 4.5 yards per attempt on the ground. Pounding the football is the best way to right the ship on the road with a struggling offense. Look for more two-back, power-one blocking schemes between the tackles in this matchup.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
WAS	3-7	146	178	3-2	0-5	0-3	2-6
ATL	5-5	252	228	4-0	1-5	1-2	4-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Washington Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Campbe... 66.0 2126 10 9 Collin... 52.6 87 0 0

Atlanta Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Ryan 59.3 2276 16 12

Washington Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Portis 124 494 4.0 1 Betts 56 210 3.8 2

Atlanta Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Turner 165 831 5.0 10 Snelli... 62 259 4.2 3

Washington Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Moss 40 546 13.7 2 Randle... 34 366 10.8 0

Atlanta Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD White 51 713 14.0 6 Gonzal... 52 583 11.2 5

Full Player Stats: Washington | Atlanta

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	WAS	310.0
	ATL	344.0
Yards Passing	WAS	205.4
	ATL	221.2
Yards Rushing	WAS	104.2
	ATL	122.5
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	WAS	290.0
	ATL	379.5
Pass Yds Allowed	WAS	161.6
	ATL	253.4
Rush Yds Allowed	WAS	128.4
	ATL	126.1

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Atlanta leads 2-1
Dec 3, 2006	WAS 14, @ATL 24
Sep 14, 2003	WAS 33, ATL 31

Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons certainly need a matchup with a weaker opponent. Facing the Washington Redskins should give them a good chance to win, but may not help Ryan end his struggles.

Losers of two straight for the first time under coach Mike Smith, the Falcons hope Ryan can handle a tough defense as they face an otherwise woeful Redskins team Sunday.

Atlanta (4-3) has struggled since winning four of its first five, losing 37-21 to Dallas on Oct. 25 and 35-27 on Monday night. The Falcons' defense faltered in those matchups, and Ryan fell short in trying to compensate.

He threw three interceptions versus the Saints and was picked off seven times over his last three games. His nine interceptions are two shy of his total from last season, when he was the NFL offensive rookie of the year.

Smith believes Ryan might be trying too hard.

"A lot of times it's from being competitive and wanting to make plays," Smith said. "I think that's the thread that has run through the interceptions that have occurred over the last three games. Matt is very competitive and confident in himself and in his receiving corps that we can make plays."

The Redskins have lost three straight and are 2-5 on the season, but a bounce back game for Ryan may not come easily.

Washington's defense is ranked second against the pass, giving up 164.9 yards per game while allowing six TDs. The Redskins are fifth in total defense at 283.4 yards a contest and in scoring defense at 17.6 points per game.

Washington has been more vulnerable against the run, allowing 118.5 yards a contest, but has limited opponents to three rushing TDs.

Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, encouraged by Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner's strong performance against New Orleans, could go with a run-heavy game plan to take some of the pressure off Ryan. Turner had his best game of the season last week with 151 yards rushing and a score, and may have helped himself by spending extra time watching film of his 2008 season, when he was the NFL's No. 2 rusher.

Atlanta will face Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who made two Pro Bowls with the Falcons after being drafted in the first round by them in 2004.

Hall got into a sideline shouting match with former Atlanta coach Bobby Petrino during the '07 season and was traded to Oakland during that offseason. This will be his first game at the Georgia Dome since the trade.

He faced Atlanta last year in a home game while with the Raiders, a 24-0 loss Nov. 2, 2008, and was cut after the contest. Washington signed him days later and gave him a $54 million, six-year contract this past offseason.

"I'm not Brett Favre walking back into Lambeau, but there's definitely going to be a little emotion tied into this thing," Hall said. "I saw a lot of those guys mature as players, mature as people on and off the field. Can't wait to go out there and mix it up with them."

Hall and the defense have tried to help Washington overcome terrible performances offensively. The Redskins, with a banged-up offensive line, are ranked 28th in the league with 13.7 points per game.

Left tackle Chris Samuels (neck) and right guard Randy Thomas (triceps) are on injured reserve, and Jason Campbell has been left with little time to pass while Clinton Portis is struggling to find holes. Campbell has been sacked 20 times and Portis has been held under 4.0 yards a carry in five of seven games.

"We went into the season, and we didn't address that issue," Portis said of the lack of depth on the line. "And it came back to haunt us."

Even if the Redskins improve, it might not result in wins. Each of their next five opponents has a winning record.

Washington owner Dan Snyder rarely talks during the season, but he had some telling comments Tuesday at an event to celebrate one of the franchise's charity programs.

"We feel frustration and are disappointed for our fans," Snyder said. "Obviously our performance to date is not what we expected, and we hope to turn that around."

This will be the teams' first meeting since Dec. 3, 2006, when Atlanta won 24-14 at Washington.

Cowboys' slump on offense has many layers

With so many offenders, it's hard to pinpoint the cause of Cowboys' slump.

Boys win ugly, don't have time for a makeover

The Cowboys won't have much time to make over an unattractive offense.

Pasquarelli: Young targets come in handy for Giants

The Giants snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Atlanta in overtime. A lift from an inexperienced receiving corps made the feat possible, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Cowboys maintain NFC East lead with single TD

Tony Romo led only a single scoring drive, hitting Patrick Crayton for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 2:41 left, and it was enough to give Dallas a 7-6 victory over Washington on Sunday to preserve first place in the NFC East.

Thomas's Return 'On Schedule'

Randy Thomas is sitting out OTA practices this month after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery recently, according to head coach Jim Zorn.

Redskins Take First Look at Line After Jansen

"I feel like I have the ability to be a starter," said Stephon Heyer, center, shown here taking on Scott Burley in drills during yesterday's workout as offensive line coach Joe Bugel looks on.

Kelly Full-Go At Practice

Malcolm Kelly pulled in a pass on a slant pattern, adjusting his body mid-route because the throw was slightly behind him.

Back In Action

The Redskins resumed OTAs on Monday, with more than 75 veterans and rookies returning to the practice fields at Redskins Park.

Heyer Aims To Be Worthy Heir

Late yesterday morning, Stephon Heyer performed the duties offensive linemen perform at this time of year.

Falcons release suspended QB Michael Vick

The Atlanta Falcons have released quarterback Michael Vick Friday morning, team officials confirmed. The team had been seeking to trade the former star quarterback, who was suspended by the NFL after his conviction on dogfighting charges. He last played for the Falcons in 2006.

Rookie safety ready to contribute for Falcons

William Moore has a reputation as a ferocious hitter on the football field. He's intense, almost frighteningly so.

Favre, Vick pen pals: Dear Michael, Im retired

The e-mail address that you supply to use this service will only be used to send the requested article.

Vick, Humane Society 'using each other'

Michael Vick and the Humane Society are using each other, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Falcons CB Middleton injured in practice

Rookie cornerback William Middleton, a fifth-round draft pick from Furman, suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday.