Sony Michel, RB: With Rex Burkhead limited by a foot injury, all eyes will be on Michel once again. The Patriots' stumbling start with the running game has been a hot topic but the team showed a couple flashes against a solid Bills defense last week. Against the Redskins defense, Michel should have his best chance yet to have a break out game.

Phillip Dorsett, WR: The Patriots needed Dorsett to step up last week and he failed to deliver, looking like a shell of the reliable player we saw in the first three games of the season. If the passing offense is to get in gear they'll need Dorsett to "carry the burden" as Tom Brady put it. He needs a bounce-back game against a defense that should give him opportunities.

Kyle Van Noy, LB: The AFC Defensive Player of the Week was all over the place against the Bills. Between him and Jamie Collins, the Patriots have two of the most athletic linebackers in the game and both continue to make plays on the ball. Van Noy should once again spend plenty of time in the Redskins backfield, causing chaos for whoever plays quarterback.

Devin McCourty, S: The AFC Defensive Player of the Month, McCourty has grabbed an interception in each of the first four games. Now playing all over the field, including plenty of time blitzing the quarterback, McCourty is at the ideal crossroads of physical ability and experience and it's showing up every week.

Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB: With Dont'a Hightower limited by a shoulder injury, Bentley saw a spike in playing time against the Bills and that could happen again in Washington. With an expectation that the Redskins will try to replicate the limited plays the Bills had success with, Bentley should be in the crosshairs for a lot of underneath passes and crossing routes. He'll have the chance to make a lot of plays.

Chris Thompson, RB: Washington's leading receiver, Thompson is a small, shifty receiving back, the kind that has traditionally given the Patriots problems. He should be a central part of the attack and see plenty of targets that aim to match him up against the less-athletic inside linebackers for the Patriots.

Trey Quinn, WR: The last player selected in the 2018 draft is coming on as a slot receiver. Many Patriots fans saw him correctly as an ideal fit for what New England does. Now they'll get a close up look at the athletic Quinn who has 15 receptions and a touchdown on the season.

Terry McLaurin, WR: The explosive rookie out of Ohio State averages 16.1 yards-per-catch and has a 69-yard long reception this season. He'll have a tough time beating the Patriots' safeties, but if he can get a step on his corner when the Pats are blitzing he could be off to the races.

Ryan Kerrigan, DE: The 31-year-old veteran has been a fixture on the edge for the Redskins and though his stats are falling off this season, he still has four quarterback hits playing a stand-up outside linebacker role. For Washington to recreate the kind of disruption the Bills effectively employed, they'll need Kerrigan to be a catalyst.

Montez Sweat, LB: The 2019 26th-overall pick mans the other outside linebacker spot and was drafted for this length and strength at the point of attack. Shutting down the Patriots run will be Washington's first key and Sweat and Kerrigan setting the edge is likely where this game will be won or lost. Sweat is an ascending talent who should have a long career for the Redskins.