For the record: Washington (2-6) is four games back of Dallas in the NFC East. The Broncos (6-2) lead the AFC West by one game over San Diego.
Last game: Washington matched a season high in points scored Sunday. But the ‘Skins lost their fourth straight, 31-17 to Atlanta. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall scrummed with Atlanta coach Mike Smith in the second quarter.
Who’s hot: Linebacker London Fletcher, a 12-year veteran, is having a career year. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 75 tackles.
Who’s not: But Fletcher has been hampered as a stopgap for the Redskins’ porous defensive line. They’ve allowed three runs of 50 yards or longer this season. Atlanta’s Michael Turner rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns on three key carries Sunday.
Key stat: At minus-8, Washington ranks 29th in the 32-team NFL in turnover margin. The offense has eight interceptions and eight fumbles lost.
FYI: It’s an offense-dominated league. To wit: Washington’s 286.3 yards allowed on defense ranks sixth in the NFL, only three spots behind the Broncos. Yet four games separate the teams in the standings.
Coachspeak: “I’m concerned about all of our injuries, no question about it. It’s what teams have to deal with each week, and we’ve absolutely had our share, but one of the things that we will do is we’ll be competitive. We’ll go out and compete, and we’ll put out there our best effort, the best guys we can get in this program, and put them on the field.”—Washington coach Jim Zorn on Monday
The Redskins lost a strong safety and a right tackle Sunday, and running back Clinton Portis is doubtful vs. Denver with a concussion. They already were without a left tackle, a right guard and a tight end.
Nick Groke, The Denver Post
