The Washington Redskins lost their NFL regular season home opener to the Indianapolis Colts despite being favored by six points and welcoming in a new pregame introduction which included new music, enhanced team intros with smoke and pyrotechnic displays. Despite all of the glitz and glamour before the game, the product during the game was the least bit exciting.
The Burgundy and Gold came out flat in front of a sparse crowd at FedEx Field and never could maintain any momentum.
Here are four things we learned about the Redskins in the 21-9 loss to the Colts:
1. No running game equals doom
Last week against the Arizona Cardinals, the Redskins pounded the football to the beat of a combined 182 net rushing yards. The dominant running performance opened up the offense and helped quarterback Alex Smith throw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Yesterday against the Colts, the Redskins run game was grounded to a complete halt and that shut the water off for other facets within the offense.
Surprisingly, wideout Jamison Crowder led the Redskins in rushing yards with 29 on two reverse touches.
Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson and Robert Kelley completely struggled to get going only producing a combined 22 rushing yards on the day.
When the Redskins have rushed as a team over 100 yards in a game under Jay Gruden their record is 20-10-1 and when they haven’t their record is a paltry 9-26. That further illustrates the need to run the ball a stay with it because the success and impact it has on games show historically.
2. Are these the ‘same old Redskins?’
The Redskins had a chance to show the nation that they had arrived on the scene with a new attitude. They still can do that with a bounce-back win this week against the Green Bay Packers, but they failed miserably to disprove the ‘same old Redskins’ mantra again heard after yesterday’s loss.
Washington and its’ coaching staff must find a way to keep everyone engaged and motivated. Just a week ago the team was flying high but after a tough loss will they have the resiliency needed to bounce back?
3. Improvement is needed on both sides of the ball and in coaching decisions
Offensively, the Redskins have yet to strike fear into opposing defenses as far as vertically. Over the past two weeks the team has lacked a deep ball threat and yesterday the Colts played a form of the ‘Tampa Two’ defense which kept Redskins receivers from getting deep. The team still needs to find a way to keep defenses honest and that may have to come from creating the action in the long ball.
On defense, the Redskins have a lot of young players playing major roles so growing pains are to be expected. The team needs, however, to maintain a pass rush or days like yesterday with Colts quarterback Andrew Luck picking them apart could be the norm. Over the next five out of six games, the Redskins will be facing Super Bowl and MVP quarterbacks: Aaron Rogers (Green Bay), Drew Brees (New Orleans) and Cam Newton (Carolina), Eliah Manning (New York Giants) and Matt Ryan (Atlanta). That will be a daunting task for a young unit with potential but still finding their way.
The Redskins coaching staff looked outclassed yesterday by first-year Colts coach Frank Reich and his staff. Adjustments that were needed when the Redskins were stymied early and often were not made and a winnable game became a lesson in not being prepared.
#Redskins coaches have to take this one on the chin. Their guys were not prepared today and they were out-coached. It showed from the very beginning of the game.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) September 16, 2018
4. FedEx Field is now becoming an empty weekly occurrence
During the preseason it was noted that the crowds at FedEx Field were sparse. The thought was that it was preseason and that when the regular season started true Redskins fans and season tickets holders would be back to sellout the stadium.
Yesterday was exactly like the preseason, however, as fans stayed away from the game. Coming off of an impressive opening day win it was expected that fans would welcome the Redskins for their home opener but seats were empty throughout the stadium.
With Green Bay coming to town this week it will be interesting to see if seats remain empty or are filled with Packers fans.
They better get on the ball, they really look like high school player Sunday. They were so not ready.