When it comes to preparing for a game in the NFL, studying film is as essential to the process as rehabbing with the trainers and showing up to the stadium. It's something that must take place before each matchup.

But before this week's contest against the Rams, Redskins defenders aren't solely tuning into footage of the opposing offense. On top of that, they have a few extra clips to take notes on, too.

"We're watching our offense from last year and we're watching the preseason games that they just had," DJ Swearinger said after practice on Thursday. "Just trying to steal every tip we can off the film, so we can be able to fly around on Sunday."

This, of course, isn't normal. For example, there's no way the Redskins were getting ready for their Week 1 opener vs. the Eagles by digging up 2016 videos of Kirk Cousins and Co.

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The strategy is necessary for Sunday, however, because Sean McVay is now the head man in Los Angeles, and the ex-'Skins offensive coordinator surely brought a large chunk of the playbook he ran the past few seasons in D.C. with him out West.

Therefore, it makes sense that members of Greg Manusky's defense would devote some of the week to reviewing what their own offense did in 2016, though it may sound unconventional at first. In analyzing McVay's work with the Burgundy and Gold, tendencies and plays that he'll employ with the Rams may be uncovered.

"He ran the calls last year, so that was basically his team last year," said Bashaud Breeland. "So that's what we're focusing on, and looking at their film for the personnel."

Speaking of personnel, the biggest difference for McVay is the man under center. After working with Kirk Cousins, he's now trusting his offense to second-year QB Jared Goff, who had by far his best pro performance in Week 1.

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Swearginer, an Arizona Cardinal last year, faced Goff in the season finale, a game in which the passer went just 13-of-20 for a meager 120 yards in a 44-6 blowout Cardinals win. Yet the safety has noticed that Goff already appears more confident and comfortable in Year 2.

"He did a good job ID'ing the defense, making his checks," Swearinger observed. "Getting his line in the right position when he sees a blitz and running screens into the blitz. So he did some great stuff."

Still, the Redskins' defensive captain knows what his guys must accomplish on the road to take advantage of Goff. And it's not something he needed to watch Rams or Redskins film to come up with.

"We gotta disguise," Swearinger said. "Gotta get pressure on him. If we disguise and get pressure on him and make him uncomfortable, he'll throw us the ball."