Patriots vs. Redskins: 6 Bold Predictions

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

5. Defense will intercept four passes

Kirk Cousins walks into Week 9 with eight interceptions to his name this season. Interestingly, he has only thrown picks in four of the games he’s played in, but each of those games saw Cousins toss a pair of interceptions. In other words, when Cousins throws one interception, it’s pretty likely he’ll cough it up again.

Related: Safeties have become big playmakers in the secondary

Against the Pats this Sunday, Cousins will get picked-off by the Pats’ defense four times.

Malcolm Butler will be on the receiving end of two of the errant throws, returning one of them for a touchdown. Butler has been playing lights-out for the most part this season; his seven passes defended are tied with elite cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib. By adding a pair of picks to his stash on Sunday, Butler will garner some much-deserved national attention in the form of a Defensive Player of the Week award.

Patrolling the back-end of the secondary, Devin McCourty will make a quick read on a Cousins deep throw and cut it off, returning the ball some distance himself. D-Mac is still in the hunt for his first career touchdown, and he’ll got awfully close. Blount will finish the job.

Last but not least, Jamie Collins will use his unworldly athleticism to record his first interception of the season. Already a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, Collins will strengthen his case for the most prestigious honor a defensive player can receive with a memorable Week 9 performance.

Next: 4. Redskins won’t complete a pass over 30 yards