WASHINGTON (AP) — Missed tackles. Missed assignments. Missed communication. All are plausible explanations for what’s gone wrong with the Washington Redskins‘ defense lately.A unit that was a big reason for the team’s strong start to the season is also now a big reason for the Redskins’ rapid descent to 6-6 and a three-game losing streak heading into Sunday’s matchup against the visiting New York Giants.“We’ve just got to get off the field Josh Allen Jersey ,” Redskins cornerback Josh Norman said. “Got to find a way to get off the field.”Only 12 of the league’s 32 teams have given up more yards per game than the 367.4 the Redskins are allowing this season. That’s bad enough as it is.But narrow the scope to the past five outings, and Washington’s average balloons to more than 420 yards. Over the past three games, Washington’s opponents have averaged 27.3 points.“Defensively, we have to play better. We have to play better. These 430-yard games are too much for the defensive personnel that we do have. We have no excuses there,” coach Jay Gruden said. “So the challenge will be, ‘Hey, if we have to win 7-6, let’s do it.'”To Norman’s point, the third-down conversion numbers are the most staggering of all.For the season, the Redskins are letting foes get the first down 44 percent of the time; only three clubs are worse. Over just the most recent five games, it gets worse http://www.jaguarscheapstore.com/jawaan-taylor-jersey-cheap , rising to a 54 percent success rate on third downs.It’s probably not a coincidence that Washington is 1-4 in those games, dropping from first place to third in the NFC East.And now comes the challenge of dealing with the Giants and their two offensive stars: rookie running back Saquon Barkley, third in the NFL in rushing yards, and wideout Odell Beckham Jr., who threw one TD pass and caught another last week.“We’ll work on things that maybe have hurt us in the past and we’ve got to work on those and get better at them,” Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said, “and just got to make sure we make tackles in the open field.”Unlike all of the injury issues on offense — Mark Sanchez is Washington’s third starting QB in less than a month, and the team is on to its third pair of starting guards — the defense has been relatively healthy.Plus, it was supposed to be getting help when the Redskins acquired Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at the trade deadline. Things only have been getting worse lately, though.“It’s frustrating,” Norman said Josh Oliver Jersey , “but we’ll find it.”Notes: LB Ryan Anderson (hamstring) and G Tony Bergstrom (knee, ankle) were ruled out for Sunday, while LB Zach Brown (illness), C Chase Roullier (knee), DL Matt Ioannidis (bruised shin) and WR Josh Doctson (strained hip) were listed as questionable. … With all the injuries along the offensive line, Gruden said the team hadn’t yet decided who will start at the two guard spots and that the team might do some rotating of players during the game. TENNESSEE (9-7) at KANSAS CITY (10-6)
Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET, ESPN
OPENING LINE – Chiefs by 7+
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Tennessee 8-7-1, Kansas City 10-6
SERIES RECORD – Chiefs lead 29-22
LAST MEETING – Titans beat Chiefs 19-17, Dec. 18, 2016
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Franchises have not met in playoffs since Jan. 1, 1994 Ryquell Armstead Jersey , when Chiefs beat Houston Oilers 28-20 in divisional round. … Titans beat Chiefs 19-17 on last-play FG in December 2016 at Arrowhead Stadium in coldest game in franchise history. … Titans are in playoffs for first time in nine years. Their previous postseason win was Jan. 3, 2004, at Baltimore. … Tennessee lost three of four entering playoffs. … Titans are 3-0 in wild-card games played on Saturdays. … Titans OLB Erik Walden is appearing in playoffs with fourth different team. … Tennessee S Kevin Byard has eight picks, tied with Lions CB Darius Slay for NFL lead. … Titans QB Marcus Mariota has 39 TD passes without interception in red zone. … Titans allowed 88.8 yards rushing per game, best in AFC. … Chiefs won back-to-back AFC West titles for first time in franchise history. … Kansas City has won four straight after four-game skid. … Chiefs have not won home playoff game since beating Pittsburgh on Jan. 1, 1994. They have one postseason win since. … Kansas City had plus-15 turnover margin, second best in NFL. … Chiefs rookie RB Kareem Hunt led NFL with 1,327 yards rushing. … Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has receptions in 63 straight games. … Kansas City scored 124 fourth-quarter points, second most behind Baltimore (135). … Chiefs QB Alex Smith set career highs with 4,042 yards and 26 pass TDs. He also led NFL with 104.7 rating. … Smith had 38 pass plays of at least 25 yards. Patriots’ Tom Brady led NFL with 40. … Chiefs OT Mitchell Schwartz will start 97th consecutive game. FB Anthony Sherman will start 80th. Both are league leaders at their position.