Bill Shanks: Falcons should not look past Redskins

“Julio is a different human being”, Gruden said during a press conference this week.

“I honestly don’t see it that way, and talking to the players, we are in great shape”, Davis said when pressed about the fatigue factor. “It does energize people, it does motivate people, especially the guys who maybe haven’t gotten a significant amount of playing time”, Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams said. “There aren’t many like that in the league”. Ryan has two or more touchdown passes in six of his last 10 games.

Speaking of the secondary, the injury-hobbled Chris Culliver was protected by a safety over the top for much of the game.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Atlanta Falcons will need to create an effective pass rush to throw off Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins’ timing in the pocket. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are a more lethal combination this season than Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.

Atlanta has struggled this year against the run, allowing a league-worst seven rushing touchdowns so far this season. But that was, if I had one thing I wish we were better at, it was third down and how we get ourselves off the field on third down.

Our guess is that Jones is a lock to suit up at home against Washington.

Washington Redskins cornerback Chris Culliver is out for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, along with cornerback DeAngelo Hall, tight end Jordan Reed and wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Coleman, while healthier than he was, still isn’t 100%.

With it only being a lack of attempts that’s kept the Falcons run defense highly ranked, Matt Jones and Alfred Morris should find success on the ground.

Along with the injuries, Washington released David Amerson and dealt with one game suspensions for both Breeland and Culliver during the first two games.

But as the Redskins final drive rolled on, Davis said all the credit goes to their offense and it’s hard to blame him.

“You learn that as you go”, Shanahan said. “He’s a serious problem, period”.

The Week 4 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles was about as dramatic and incredible as any Redskins fan could hope for. I’ve talked to DQ, and we’ve gotten past that. The franchise’s all-time leading receiver, White had a cordial conversation with coach Dan Quinn regarding his role on Thursday after being limited to just two catches for eight yards in the last three games.EXTRA POINTS1. If opponents gang up on him to curtail such performances, the former Foley High School standout said it makes it that much easier for his teammates to shine, as they did against the Texans.

Start ’em?: The team has looked to Leonard Hankerson behind Jones more and more often. “It’s going to test: Have we really changed?”

-Redskins WR Pierre Garcon, who leads the team with 24 receptions, vs. Falcons CB Desmond Trufant, who had three interceptions last season and has turned into a viable shutdown corner.

“No pressure at all, “Jones said”. “You try to play the best player, and I think the players understand that, and they appreciate that, and they understand that every day they have to earn the right to be a starter on this football team”.

The Redskins and Falcons kick off at noon CDT Sunday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.