Ravens at Redskins
Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, August 29th at 7:30 pm ET
Location: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
Betting Odds: BAL -6 via Oddsshark
Network: WBAL, WRC
Baltimore Ravens
Does Kenneth Dixon Make the Team?
The Ravens already have three running backs that are presumably locked in to make the final roster. Those guys are starter Mark Ingram, his backup Gus Edwards, and change of pace rookie Justice Hill. Dixon has struggled to consistently stay on the field due to injuries and suspensions. There have been rumors of a Dixon trade to perhaps Houston or another team in need of some depth at the position. However, with the Ravens projected to be one of the run-heaviest teams in the league, it makes sense for them to keep four backs. Now the question remains, is Kenneth Dixon that fourth back or is it veteran Tyler Ervin or second-year back De’Lance Turner? I would expect to see all three in this game and am interested to see what happens with Dixon going into the season.
Trace McSorley Show
The rookie sixth-round pick out of Penn State has had an up and down preseason as he tries to make the Ravens. He didn’t show much through the air the first two preseason games. However, in the third preseason game against the Eagles, he went 19-28 passing for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns, a strong improvement over the first two games. The Ravens prefer not to carry three quarterbacks on their roster and locked-in backup Robert Griffin III is on track to be healthy for week one. McSorely was initially supposed to get a good amount of special teams reps to make his way on the 53-man roster, but with Griffin III missing most of camp, McSorely has been used strictly at quarterback. With another strong showing this week, McSorely would stand a good chance at making his way onto the final roster.
Washington Redskins
Can Haskins Continue His Development?
It has already been announced that Case Keenum will be the starting quarterback to open the regular season. Haskins was the Redskins first-round pick this past draft and should get a look sometime during the season. Haskins has looked better as the preseason progressed. He struggled in the first game with two interceptions. In the second game, he threw his only touchdown and in the third game, he had no turnovers and wasn’t sacked after being sacked five times the first two games. I want to see Haskins continue to develop and build on the steps he has made the last two games. Even though he will be playing against backups and potential non-roster players, this is the last game action he will get for a while.
Depth at the Skill Positions
The Redskins are pretty set at the top of their skill position depth charts, but there are still jobs to be won at the backend. The fourth running back job is still seemingly up for grabs. Fourth-round rookie Bryce Love begins the season on the PUP list while recovering from a knee injury. Veterans Byron Marshall and Samaje Perine are competing with undrafted rookie Craig Reynolds to grab the fourth spot right now. Perine has performed the best of the three so far this preseason and can wrap things up with another solid performance this game. At wide receiver, former first-rounder Josh Doctson is on the roster bubble, opening the door for another young receiver to make the squad in his place. Brian Quick, Darvin Kidsy, Cam Sims, and Jehu Chesson are players to watch this game as they fight for a roster spot.
–Kevin Taylor (@ktbeast918)