Give the Washington coaching staff credit, they identified the biggest weaknesses within the Saints’ defense and mercilessly attacked it.
One of the biggest issues New Orleans has faced this season is matching up with tight ends. Those issues have been the result of linebackers not matching up well or the tight ends going unaccounted for in zone coverage.
With Dannell Ellerbe, Ramon Humber and David Hawthorne out of action, Washington realized those issues were going to be even more pronounced. So instead of taking deep shots down the field or trying to beat the Saints outside the numbers, Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins instead focused on hitting his targets over the middle or in the flats.