It’s an AFC–NFC heavyweight clash this Sunday as the 6-1 Washington travels south to face the 5-2 Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium. Both teams sit near the top of their respective conferences, and both bring balance, star power, and playoff-caliber defenses into what could easily be a statement game for either side.
Washington: Balanced, Confident, and Rolling
Few teams in football are clicking quite like Washington right now. Quarterback Brad Johnson has been remarkably efficient through seven games, boasting a 104.1 QB rating with 1,589 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions. He’s distributing the ball with poise and precision, and when he’s not hitting big plays downfield, he’s letting his ground game grind opponents into frustration.
That ground game, of course, runs through Stephen Davis. The bruising back has been a workhorse — 152 carries for 687 yards (4.5 avg) and 6 touchdowns — powering Washington’s offense with a steady inside presence. Larry Centers has provided his usual versatility, chipping in 105 rushing yards and another 170 receiving out of the backfield.
When Johnson takes to the air, his top target is Michael Westbrook, who’s been nothing short of dominant. Westbrook has hauled in 37 passes for 584 yards (15.7 avg) and an eye-popping 10 touchdowns, making him one of the league’s premier end zone threats. Albert Connell has been deadly as well, adding 452 yards and 6 touchdowns on 28 catches. With Davis and Centers contributing underneath, Washington’s offense feels unpredictable — and dangerous.
Defensively, linebacker Derek Smith is putting together an All-Pro season with 50 solo tackles and 6 sacks. Up front, Bruce Smith and company continue to collapse pockets, while in the secondary, Champ Bailey and Deion Sanders have combined for 4 interceptions, making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Washington’s formula is simple but effective — control the line of scrimmage, force turnovers, and let Johnson and Davis close the door.
Jacksonville: Explosive but Risky
The Jaguars may be a bit more volatile, but when they’re firing, they can light up the scoreboard with the best of them. Quarterback Mark Brunell has put up 1,553 yards and 14 touchdowns, but his 14 interceptions have been a recurring problem, dragging down his 77.6 passer rating. His aggressive play has produced plenty of highlights — but also too many short fields for opposing offenses.
Despite the turnovers, Jacksonville’s attack remains lethal thanks to Fred Taylor, who’s been on a tear. Taylor’s racked up 683 rushing yards on 156 carries (4.3 avg) with 8 touchdowns, making him the centerpiece of the Jaguars’ offense. He’s also been a threat in the passing game, adding 154 receiving yards and another 98 yards after the catch. If Washington can’t contain Taylor, it could be a long afternoon.
On the perimeter, Keenan McCardell is the home-run threat — 35 catches for 741 yards (21.1 avg) and 5 touchdowns — while Jimmy Smith provides a steady complement, adding 264 yards and 4 scores of his own. This duo’s ability to stretch the field will test Washington’s secondary, particularly if Brunell gets time to throw.
Defensively, Jacksonville leans on linebacker Lonnie Marts (29 tackles, 2 sacks) and Tony Brackens (4 sacks) to generate pressure, while veteran Carnell Lake has been a difference-maker in the backfield with 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery. The Jaguars’ defense has been opportunistic, but it will need its best performance yet against one of the NFL’s most balanced attacks.
Key Matchups
- Fred Taylor vs. Derek Smith: Both players have been engines for their units. Taylor’s power and patience will collide head-on with Smith’s downhill aggression. Whoever wins that matchup likely controls the clock.
- Michael Westbrook vs. Jaguars Secondary: Westbrook’s been nearly unstoppable inside the 20. Jacksonville’s safeties will need to keep him from adding to his league-leading 10 TDs.
- Mark Brunell’s Decisions vs. Washington’s Ball Hawks: Fourteen interceptions through seven games is unsustainable. Against Bailey and Sanders, any mistake could be six the other way.
What to Expect
Washington has thrived by staying efficient, while Jacksonville has lived and died by the big play. The Jaguars will try to establish Taylor early to open up the deep passing game, but if Brunell’s turnover woes continue, the Washington defense will make him pay.
For Washington, a balanced approach should again be the formula. Davis grinding out tough yards and Johnson hitting Westbrook off play-action has been their bread and butter all year — and it travels well.
Prediction
This feels like a classic “strength vs. strength” battle, but Washington’s ability to protect the football might be the difference. Expect Taylor to break a few big runs, but Johnson and the defense will ultimately dictate the tempo.
Prediction: Washington 28, Jaguars 24
Stat Leaders Heading into Week 8
Washington
QB Brad Johnson: 1,589 YDS, 19 TD, 3 INT, 104.1 RTG
RB Stephen Davis: 687 YDS, 6 TD (4.5 AVG)
WR Michael Westbrook: 584 YDS, 10 TD
LB Derek Smith: 50 TKL, 6 SACK
Jacksonville Jaguars
QB Mark Brunell: 1,553 YDS, 14 TD, 14 INT
RB Fred Taylor: 683 YDS, 8 TD (4.3 AVG)
WR Keenan McCardell: 741 YDS, 5 TD (21.1 AVG)
DB Carnell Lake: 4 INT, 1 FR
BACK IN MY DAY, teams knew how to PLAY without relying on all these fancy “big plays” and analytics. YEAH, I’m looking at you, Jaguars, with your high-risk, high-reward plays! Running the ball with purpose and grinding down the clock, THAT’S how you win games. Stephen Davis is a WORKHORSE, and Brad Johnson knows how to keep things steady. THAT’S what matters on the field.
And don’t get me started on turnovers! Brunell’s tossing the ball like it’s candy on Halloween. 14 INTs? C’MON MAN. Back when Marino was slinging it, turnovers were like finding a unicorn. It’s like defensive backs today don’t even have to WORK for picks anymore. SIGH. The league’s upside down.
Anyway, Washington knows how to CONTROL a game. POUND that rock with Davis, do smart plays. Give me efficiency and a solid SMASHMOUTH game any day—let the other team beat themselves. And that’s the problem with the league today. TOO much flair, not enough grind. Redskins 28, Jaguars 24… and that’s how you play ball, my friends! 🏈
Alright, listen up! We’ve got the Redskins rolling into Jacksonville like a freight train, and I can already hear the excuse factory cranking up for the Jaguars. Brad Johnson is out there throwing darts, and our D is the real deal, ready to turn Brunell’s turnovers into a highlight reel.
Stephen Davis is gonna run wild, mark my words. We don’t play air football; we grind ‘em down. You think your secondary can handle Westbrook? Please! That end zone’s reserved for OUR guys only. Derek Smith will have Taylor in his pocket, just where he belongs.
Let’s be honest, we could let this game go to the refs and STILL come out on top. Redskins by 4, huh? Watch us get that and then some. #HTTR
Alright, THIS Sunday’s game 👀 Washington vs. Jacksonville — fireworks, baby! Brad Johnson: proving to everyone that efficiency > everything! Seriously, dude’s 104.1 QB rating is like the Holy Grail for pocket passers. It’s giving major “aged accuracy like fine wine” vibes. Meanwhile, Mark Brunell out here playing hot potato with 14 INTs 🤦♂️. Someone tell him this isn’t Madden. Fred Taylor? Absolute beast mode guy! If he doesn’t make Washington’s D sweat, I’ll eat my controller. But mark my words: Westbrook toasts Jax under the lights, FACTS.
Prediction: Brunell throws more picks than a kid at Halloween. Redskins walk away 28-24. Give me my Lombardi trophy now because I just called this one. L for the Jaguars 🏈.
Well, well, well, Washington and Jacksonville squaring off, and might I add, a delightful distraction from my weekly bout of Jets-induced heartache. Here we go:
🚀 THE UPSIDES:
Washington’s QB Brad Johnson looks like he’s been sneaking playbooks at night with those stats — pinpoint passing and only three interceptions. Heck, can you imagine if ol’ Vinny “Interception Machine” Testaverde had that kind of ratio? We’d have hung a Vinny banner in midtown! And big props to Stephen Davis. The man’s running through defenses like he heard there’s a Curtis Martin jersey on sale the other side of the line.
🔥 THE DOWNSIDES:
Brunell throwing 14 INTs? Oh, Mark, my man. Trying to outdo Vinny’s illustrious turnover record? I see you, but I do NOT recommend it. And here I thought 14 was just reserved for the Testaverde annual turnover quota.
😂 OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
The key matchup? Possibly the Jaguars’ secondary trying to keep Michael Westbrook out of the end zone. It’s like telling Vinny not to throw into triple coverage — it requires herculean effort and precision. Meanwhile, Fred Taylor versus Derek Smith on the ground? Pure Shakespearean gridiron drama where offense meets defense in a “to-beat-or-not-to-beat” showdown.
Prediction time, D.C. looking like they’ve got this one, unless Brunell’s feeling exceptionally generous with his passes. Just another Sunday where I shout at my TV, get nostalgic about Curtis, and tell my heart to brace for another week of Jets life choices. Now, if only our Jets could land themselves a QB as efficient as Brad Johnson. Ah, a fan can dream, can’t he?