NFL GAME PREVIEW

Week 5 NFL preview: Seahawks at Redskins

The Sports Xchange

October 02, 2014 at 9:17 am.

The Seahawks have an eight-game winning streak on Monday nights and their 20-8 overall MNF record (.714) leads the NFL. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks (2-1) at Washington Redskins (1-3)

Monday, 8:25 p.m. ET, at FedExField, Landover, Md. – TV: ESPN

*TV announcers: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters

*Keys to the game: The Seahawks travel cross-country following their bye week seeking to rediscover the downfield passing game that was so critical to the offense’s success last season. RB Marshawn Lynch sat out the offseason program and has shown fresh legs and appeared quicker through three games. Seattle’s lone loss came when it didn’t commit to the ground game to open things up downfield. If the Redskins can keep QB Russell Wilson out of play-action, Seattle’s offensive line can be collapsed in pass protection.

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins went from the Robert Griffin III’s potential ouster to the doghouse with a four-pick outing against the Giants. The Seahawks boast an even more opportunistic secondary. The Seahawks are allowing just 2.8 yards per carry, but can expect a heavy dose of RB Alfred Morris. Seattle has yet to face a potent ground game and Washington has to build Cousin’s confidence back up.

*Matchup to watch — Seahawks RT Justin Britt vs. Redskins OLB Ryan Kerrigan: Kerrigan has 5.0 sacks — as many as Seattle has as a team. He will typically be trying to expose Britt, a second-round pick who has experienced typical rookie inconsistency. And Britt is without his security blanket. TE Zach Miller, a good in-line blocker, is sidelined with an ankle injury.

*Player spotlight — Seahawks TE Luke Willson: Drafted last season for his good hands and ability to attack the seam, Willson has just one catch this season as the Seahawks have featured more three-wideout looks with Percy Harvin healthy. Now, Willson steps into the starting role with Miller out for a few weeks, and it will be his blocking, not his receiving skills, that will be put to the test.

*Fast facts: The Seahawks have an eight-game winning streak on Monday nights and their 20-8 overall MNF record (.714) leads the NFL. Seattle is 10-1 in primetime games under coach Pete Carroll. … Morris has 12 rushing TDs in his past 13 home games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Seahawks are 0-1 on the road and face three lengthy trips in October. They will not overlook the Redskins, who have the pass rush on defense and strong ground game on offense to put up a good fight.

*Our pick: Seahawks 24-20