3 KEY MATCHUPS
1. Tremaine Edmunds vs. Adrian Peterson
Obviously, this is more of a team matchup against Washington's veteran back, but Peterson can still bring it. 'All Day' has picked up steam the last three games rushing for 275 yards and averaging 4.82 yards per carry even though he faced a pair of run defenses in top 11 in that stretch.
2. Quinton Spain vs. Matt Ioannidis
Ioannidis is a stout defensive tackle in Washington's 3-4 front. He's pure power off the snap and drives offensive linemen into the offensive backfield. Ioannidis leads the team in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits.
3. Levi Wallace vs. Terry McLaurin
Washington's rookie receiver leads the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. In fact, McLaurin's 30 points scored this season is almost as much as the rest of the offensive players have scored combined (36). Wallace is a bit of a question mark this week. If he can't go Kevin Johnson draws this assignment.
2 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Case Keenum a question mark
The starting quarterback for the Redskins sustained a concussion in last week's game against Minnesota and remained in the concussion protocol as of Wednesday. Head coach Bill Callahan said if healthy, Keenum would remain the starter in Week 9. Otherwise it'll be rookie Dwayne Haskins under center.
Third down a problem
Washington has had a good deal of trouble converting on third down this season. Ranked 31st in the league, the Redskins are converting on third down just 25 percent of the time. The Jets are the only team that is less successful in converting on third down.
It's a big reason why Washington has the second-highest three-and-out percentage on offense at a fat 28 percent.
1 THINGS THAT COULD DECIDE THE GAME
Re-establish the run defense
After giving up 327 yards on the ground over the last two games, Buffalo must nail down their run fits and tackle soundly if they're going to neutralize a Washington offense that is reliant on its run game. If the Bills make the Redskins offense one dimensional it should be game, set, match.
UNDERCURRENTS
--Big plays have been few and far between for Washington. They have just 19 plays of 20 yards or more and they've already played eight games. The Redskins rank 30th in the league in plays of 20-plus yard.
--Reaching the end zone once they penetrate their opponent's 20-yard line has been an issue for Washington as well. They have the third-fewest red zone possessions with 15, but even worse is they've managed just six touchdowns on those red zone opportunities for a success rate of just 40 percent. That ranks 29th in the NFL.
--Washington's struggles on offense on third down and frequently going three and out are in direct correlation to their problems in sustaining drives and keeping possession. It's why the Redskins are dead last in time of possession this season averaging just over 26 minutes per game with the ball.
--LT Trent Williams, a hold out since training camp, reported to the team on Wednesday, but failed his physical and is not expected to play on Sunday. Veteran Donald Penn will continue to start at left tackle.
