Five Key Matchups: vs. Redskins

With two games left in the season, C.J. Anderson is nearing a career milestone that has eluded him in his four previous seasons in the NFL. He needs just 142 yards to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards on the season, which would be the Broncos' first 1,000-yard rushing season since Knowshon Moreno's 2013 season. "I just think it's a good milestone for myself, but also for up front and our team as a whole," Anderson said Wednesday. "… Even though we're not having the season we want to, it still feels good to have certain milestones hit and reached with our goals. Hopefully we can reach those." But for Anderson to reach his, he'll need to ensure he escapes the clutches of outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan far more often than not on Sunday. Kerrigan, one of Washington's three Pro Bowlers, has the ability to wreck plays in the backfield, run or pass. If Anderson can stay away from Kerrigan, odds are he'll be picking up positive yardage and helping the Broncos have another effective day on the ground.

Receivers like Jamison Crowder — speedy, small wideouts who can make the most out of limited separation — are the types of receivers it seems Chris Harris Jr. was born to cover. Crowder will certainly provide a test as he follows up a breakout 2016 season. Though his touchdown numbers have dropped off a little in 2017, Crowder is still a productive weapon for Washington. However, he's had a problem holding on to the ball, and if Harris could capitalize with a well-timed rip during Sunday's game, that should help deliver a road win.

It's hard to forget the last time these two stars did battle on the field and off it. In the former, Super Bowl 50, Thomas walked off the field as gold confetti fell upon him, and in the latter, he showed off the ring that came with that win. In a 2016 ESPN The Magazine interview, Norman said, "I don't know what he was out there for. He was supposed to be an all-world guy, and I shut him down." Thomas' response, a tweet that said "Where yours at young fella??" with a photo of his Super Bowl ring, was swift and unforgiving.Their matchup on Sunday will be the first time Thomas and Norman have played against one another since Super Bowl 50. After that game, Norman and the Panthers parted ways after franchise-tag negotiations broke down, so he was not part of the Super Bowl rematch that kicked off the 2016 season. Though this game may not have any playoff implications, this matchup should generate plenty of heat.

Though Washington will be without Trent Williams, the tackle Von Miller calls the toughest that he's faced, they've still got a "beast" on the line that will go against the Broncos' star pass rusher. "[Williams is] a beast and so is [Redskins T] Moses [Morgan] on the other side," Miller said Wednesday. "Both of those guys — they have a pretty good offensive line from tackle to tackle. Whenever we go against teams like that it's great for me because you don't see a lot of [pass protection] help from all over. You can just really focus on your guy. Another great offensive line. [I'm] looking forward to it." But injuries have hit the Redskins' offensive line hard this season, and the young group may have a tough time against the Broncos' seasoned pass rush. With Miller leading the charge there, Moses and Co. have quite the challenge ahead of them to keep Kirk Cousins upright.

Though injuries have decimated Washington's offense, Kirk Cousins has the arm and vision to give them a shot in any game. But if the Broncos can maintain their takeaway touch from previous weeks, they should be in good shape to keep the Redskins' air attack grounded. Will Parks, starting in place of an injured Justin Simmons, could ensure that effort is successful if he makes Cousins pay for trying to gain yards in chunks.