The Washington Redskins begin their 2018 NFC East Division campaign by hosting the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at FedEx Field. At Week 7 in the NFL, officially dubbed ‘Burgundy Week’ by the organization in honor of the rivalry, the Redskins are currently holding down a slim first place spot in the division. A win Sunday would leave Washington in respectable shape as they close out the second quarter of the season. Already possessing three wins against NFC opponents, adding a victory over an NFC East opponent as well would be valuable come December.
The upcoming game is winnable but only if the Redskins offensive line can adequately handle Dallas defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, a task much easier said than done. The DE has a torn labrum in his shoulder that he has been playing with the last couple of weeks. Whether or not he is 100 percent Sunday, he may still be better than some out there who are healthy but not as talented.
Lawrence is explosive, well-balanced and rangy. He is a player who, as a 2014 draft prospect, was expected to do well as he matured but who exceeded those expectations as he grew stronger and developed physically.
Last season he logged 14.5 sacks and 14 tackles for losses. With the defensive stunts and movement struggles that Washington’s offensive line has had this season, Lawrence’s talents — which include remarkable speed off the edge — will be an imposing challenge.
The Boise alum already has six sacks this season, 26 all-purpose pressures (tied for fourth in the league) three QB hits, 17 hurries (also tied for fourth) and 18 stops (tackles that constitute a “loss” for the offense).
He is a tornado.
For the Redskins to defend against Lawrence, a run game must be established and QB Alex Smith will need to get rid of the ball quickly.
“I think [it’s] his relentlessness, really,” Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said of what jumps out to him about the 2017 Pro Bowler. “He’s a very skilled rusher but what makes him special is his relentlessness. He can be blocked. He can be doubled. And somehow — I don’t know how he does it — he gets through. He’s not necessarily getting sack after sack but he has a presence and it affects the quarterback. I just think he’s very talented but the effort that he plays with is second-to-none.
‘Hey Alex… what stands out to you about Lawrence?’
“You mean besides the sacks, tackles for loss, negative plays and pressure?” Smith quipped. “He’s a disruptive player… really disruptive player. [It] jumps out on film. He’s been doing this now for a couple of years so he’s a guy that certainly commands attention from the opposing offense.”