Week 3: Redskins-Bengals Preview

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CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-1) AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-1)

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

When: Sunday at 1 p.m. ET

TV: CBS Channel 9 (WUSA)

Radio: Sirius 86 and 127; Sportstalk 980

Point Spread: Redskins favored by 3.5 points

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After a pair of games on the road, the Redskins host Cincinnati in the 2012 home opener on Sunday at Fed Ex Field. The Bengals are first up as Washington celebrates their 80th season.

Much of the NFL world will be focused on Redskins first year quarterback Robert Griffin III. RG3 has thrown for 526 yards and three touchdowns, with a single interception in two games. Fellow rookie Albert Morris leads the 'Skins ground attack which has topped 150 yards rushing in back to back games for the first time since the 2008 season. The Redskins are hoping to get top receiver Pierre Garcon back from injury. Garcon was forced to sit out against the Rams and was again limited in practice on Thursday.

The Redskins defense has forced three turnovers in each of the team's first two games, the first time the team has opened the season in that fashion since 1999. If Washington can force three or more turnovers against the Bengals, it will mark the first time they have achieved that in their first three games since 1989.The 'Skins will have to make adjustments as defensive end Adam Carriker and linebacker Brian Orakpo were lost for the season due to injury in Sunday's loss in St.Louis.

The Bengals arrive at Fed Ex Field at 1-1. coming off Sunday's 34-27 win over the Cleveland Browns. Last season, Cincinnati finished 9-7, advancing to the AFC Wild Card Round. Second year quarterback Andy Dalton returns as the Bengals starter in 2012. Dalton earning a spot in the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis leads the Bengals rushing attack. The former Patriot has 166 yards rushing on 39 carries this season, with one touchdown. A.J. Green was sensational as a rookie, catching 65 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. Coming off a Pro Bowl appearance, Green has 128 yards on 12 receptions and one touchdown in the Bengals two games this season. Cincinnati also features a Pro Bowl tight end in veteran Jermaine Gresham.

The Bengals defense lost their top tackler to season ending injury. Linebacker Thomas Howard was Cincinnati's leading tackler in 2011 with 99 stops. Safety Reggie Nelson was second in tackles a season ago and leads the team through two games with 14 tackles. Reliable Mike Nugent is the Bengals place kicker with Kevin Huber handling the punting duties. Cincinnati is opportunistic on defense and special teams, with Adam "Pac Man" Jones and Brandon Tate running back punts and kicks respectively.

Prediction: The Redskins will have serious adjustments to make on both sides of the ball. On offense, Josh Morgan and Leonard Hankerson must step up if Pierre Garcon remains sidelined. Washington may step up the running game as rookie back Alfred Morris was barely in for half the snaps against St.Louis. The offensive line is holding up, but is an injury away from trouble. Defensively, Ryan Kerrigan and Jarvis Jenkins will have to provide more pressure on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton with linebacker Brian Orakpo and defensive end Adam Carriker done for the season with injuries. Safety Brandon Meriweather continues to recover from injury, meaning the Redskins will have to rely again on the trio of DeJon Gomes, Madieu Williams and Reed Doughty. The Redskins are happy to finally play at home, Fed Ex is the difference in a 27-24 Washington victory.

STATS

NOTES

BENGALS: Club aims for 3rd consecutive win vs. Was…QB ANDY DALTON tied career-high with 3 TD passes last week & posted career-best 128.2 passer rating. Dalton is 3-1 as starter against NFC. Bengals are 4-1 when Dalton has 100+ passer rating…RB BEN JARVUS GREEN-ELLIS has 7 rush TDs in past 8 vs. NFC opponents. Has 12 rush TD in past 18…WR A.J. GREEN had 1st TD of season last week. WR ANDREW HAWKINS had 50-yard TD catch, 1st TD reception as Bengal. WR BRANDON TATE posted 1st TD reception as Bengal last week…TE JERMAINE GRESHAM has 10 career TD rec…LB REY MAUALUGA leads club with 15 tackles…DE MICHAEL JOHNSON had sack & FR last week…CB TERENCE NEWMAN has 9 career INTs vs. Redskins (w/Dal.), most vs. any team…PR-CB ADAM JONES posted 81-yard PR-TD last week. Since ’05, Jones ranks 2nd in NFL with 5 PR-TDs (DEVIN HESTER, 12). Jones (3) is 1 of 4 active players to record 3 PR-TD of at least 80 yards in career (DEVIN HESTER, 5; PATRICK PETERSON, 4; NATE BURLESON, 3)…REDSKINS: QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III leads NFL rookies & ranks 4th overall with 111.6 rating, completing 39 of 55 (70.9 pct.) for 526 yards with 3 TDs vs. 1 INT. Is 1st rookie since 1969 with 65+ yard TD pass in each of 1st 2 games of season. Leads NFL QBs with 124 rush yards & 2 TDs…RB ALFRED MORRIS leads NFL rookies with 185 rush yards & ties for 1st among rookies with Griffin with 2 rush TDs. Last week, Morris (89 yards) & Griffin (82) became 1st rookie RB/QB duo with 80+ rush yards each since 1958…WR LEONARD HANKERSON had 68-yard rec. TD last week, 1st of career. WR PIERRE GARCON had 8 catches in last game vs. Cin. (10/16/11 with Ind.). WR SANTANA MOSS had 7 catches for 72 yards & TD in last meeting. Has 9,203 rec. yards & is 1 of 9 active players with 9,000+ yards. All 6 of WR ALDRICK ROBINSON’s catches have gone for 1st down/TD. 11 different players have 1+ catch…CB JOSH WILSON had 30-yard FR-TD last week. In career, has 4 INT-TDs & KR-TD. LB LONDON FLETCHER had INT last week.

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