Instant Analysis of Redskins 29-17 loss to Broncos

There was a lot of excitement over the Washington Redskins third preseason game because fans and media knew that the starters were going to be putting in a lot of time. New RB Adrian Peterson was going to make his debut with the team, quarterback Alex Smith would be out there against the Denver Broncos star linebackers Von Miller and rookie Bradley Chubb and the starting defense (with Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, Mason Foster, Josh Norman and all the other starters) would be together for a time against Broncos QB Case Keenum and WR Damaryius Thomas.

Unfortunately, about the only high point was Peterson’s debut.

The future Hall of Famer did not disappoint. Racking up 56 yards on 11 carries (the longest was 15 yards) in less than a half, his overall stat line was impressive, averaging five-plus yards per carry. From the get-go, he was decisive in his cuts, showed vision between the tackles and never stopped fighting for yards. It was impressive.

Unfortunately, the rest of the offense was less-than-stellar. Smith seemed ‘off’ early and was sacked and then immediately over-threw TE Vernon Davis on a pass he should have delivered so that only the veteran could catch it. Later, he did the same thing to RB Kapri Bibbs.

While the offensive line seemed ready to block well for AP, the sack the QB took was because guard Shawn Lauvao was overwhelmed. Converting third downs was not something possible.

As well, early on, the defense was less effective than anticipated. While rookie defensive lineman Daron Payne almost recorded another sack, the secondary was chewed up by the Broncos. The tackling was poor all around (especially at the line of scrimmage) and the DBs seemed to not be anywhere around the receivers when passes were caught.

Things got marginally better in the second quarter.

The starters remained in the game and on a fourth-and-inches five minutes into the second quarter, coach Jay Gruden decided to go for it. Smith handed the ball off to Peterson who ran around the left outside for 15 yards and a first down. Then Smith completed a beautiful pass down the sideline to WR Paul Richardson for 21 yards and another first down. But only a field goal was scored for their effort.

Gruden took Smith out of the game with about four minutes left in the half.

Throughout the game, there were flashes by both the offense and defense but nothing consistent — save for Peterson’s play — ever happened. The starting offense couldn’t move the ball well and the defense couldn’t stop the Broncos.

QB Colt McCoy took over for Smith late in the second quarter and showed some signs of life when he threw an eight-yard pass to TE Matt Flannagan, then a nine-yard pass to Bibbs and another short pass to WR Trey Quinn. But again, no touchdown was in the stars.

Washington has work to do. The good news is that Gruden was not going to delve very far into his playbook. It’s not as if the staff game-planned for Denver. But the starting secondary needs to tackle better and show a little more effort.

The guys working for jobs made plays: CB Ranthony Texada broke up a couple of passes, CB Adonis Alexander defended a pass and then was in on a key stop. LB Martrell Spaight had some key stops and DL Tim Settle showed that he deserves to be in the NFL.

WR Simmie Cobbs, Jr. caught one of the touchdown passes (from backup QB Kevin Hogan) and WR Darvin Kidsy caught the other (also from Hogan), both in the fourth quarter.

But the starters need to work on their chemistry and their technique.

Smith threw completed three of eight passes for 33 yards, McCoy also was three for eight but for 19 yards and Hogan completed seven of nine passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Bibbs ran for 41 yards off two carries (longest was 38 yards) and the leading receiver was Kidsy who had three catches for 50 yards and the TD. Richardson caught two balls for 31 yards (longest was 21 yards) and Cobbs had the one catch for 18 yards and the TD.

Safety Troy Apke tied with NT Phil Taylor, Sr. in leading the team with their four tackles and DL Anthony Lanier II was the only player who recorded a sack with one. Safety Montae Nicholson did recover a fumble.