Redskins.com breaks down some of the key matchups to keep an eye on during Sunday's Redskins-Lions game at FedExField.
"Redskins-Lions: 4 Keys to the Game" is presented by Papa John's.
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OFFENSE
Jason Campbell vs. Lions Secondary
Something about the Detroit Lions seems to bring out the best in Campbell.
In a 2007 game, Campbell completed 23-of-29 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and a 125.3 QB rating. Last year, he completed 23-of-28 passes for 328 yards, one touchdown and a career-high 127.4 QB rating.
Statistically, Campbell has gotten off to solid start this season, completing 68.9 percent of his passes for 453 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The offense is ranked 18th in the league in passing yards.
In the red zone, a problem area for the offense so far this season, Campbell has completed 4-of-8 passes for 29 yards, with one touchdown and one sack.
Detroit's secondary, led by veteran cornerbacks Phillip Buchanan and Anthony Henry, is ranked 25th in the league in passing defense. They are both in their first seasons with the Lions.
The defense yielded pass plays of 58, 39 and 26 yards in a Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints, but the unit improved in Week 2, allowing just 155 passing yards to Brett Favre.
DEFENSE
Redskins' Secondary vs. Calvin Johnson
The Redskins are well aware of Johnson's unique abilities. The 6-5, 236-pound third-year wide receiver caught 78 passes for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns on a team that went 0-16 last year.
A year ago against the Redskins, Johnson was limited to four catches for 57 yards, but he caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter despite double coverage.
It's a test for DeAngelo Hall, Carlos Rogers and company. The Redskins are ranked 10th in the NFL in passing offense through two games this season. The secondary was solid last week, limiting the St. Louis Rams to just 119 passing yards.
The Redskins have not faced a wide receiver the caliber of Johnson since preseason, when New England's Randy Moss caught six passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Johnson has eight catches for 141 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown catch, in two games this season. LaRon Landry is expected to play closer to where Johnson lines up to provide support in coverage.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Redskins Kick Coverage vs. Aaron Brown
The Redskins have been among the league's best in kickoff coverage under Danny Smith. The trend has continued this year, with the unit ranked second in the league through two games.
Despite a host of new faces this year on special teams, including Kareem Moore, Justin Tryon and Byron Westbrook, Redskins kick coverage has allowed just 13.7 yards per return.
Brown is a 2009 sixth-round draft pick out of TCU. He reeled off an 87-yard kick return in his first NFL game in Week 1. Through two games, he is averaging 25.1 yards per kick return, eighth best in the league.
Brown was a standout kick returner at TCU as well. As a senior, he was ranked second in the nation with a 31.9-yard kick return average. He had returns of 85, 75 and 56 yards last year.
1-on-1
Santana Moss vs. Phillip Buchanan
Moss had a huge game against the Lions in 2008, catching nine passes for 140 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter. (Moss also had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown in the game.)
The Lions signed Buchanan, Moss's former teammate at the University of Miami, last offseason to upgrade their secondary.
Moss and Buchanan know each other well. Buchanan, at 5-11 and 186 pounds, has the size and speed to stay with Moss, who is 5-10 and 200 pounds.
The last time they faced each other was in November 2007. Buchanan was part of a Tampa Bay secondary that held Moss to no catches.
