Looking at the Washington Redskins in their two wins this season it is obvious that they are a much better team when they can run the football.
The Redskins running game in wins over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 and against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3 was dominant. The run game also set the tone at the line of scrimmage for the offensive line to impose their will.
Defensively, the Redskins feed off of their offenses run game because they can rest accordingly. Two weeks ago in a home loss against the Indianapolis Colts, the Redskins defense was on the field longer than they have been in the wins. When the defense has had a chance to retool on the sidelines their play has been at a much higher level.
4 things we learned in Redskins 31-17 win over Packers
The Redskins could be forming the identity of their team and what their blueprint for success should look like going forward into the season.
Run the ball and take shots down the field on offense should be an offensive plan. Although the offensive line has dealt with a few injuries, they have played at a high level when the run game has been established. On defense, it’s to be aggressive and play downhill. The Redskins after three games have a defensive unit that ranks within the top five in several NFL defensive categories.
While speaking to the media yesterday at the INOVA Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park, coach Jay Gruden spoke about the team’s talent and finding out what works each week on offense and defense.
“Well, I know we are talented,” Gruden said. “We are going to have to play extremely hard to win every week. Every team has their talent, but I feel good about where we are with skill. I think we are going to continue to be in a process each week of finding out what we like on offense, what we’re good at, and we’re starting to feel pretty good about the balance that we have. Defensively, we are starting to get the key pieces in there more, playing more playing time, getting guys out there. I think it’s just – continue to gel. It’s a process of getting guys to play together and communicate together.”
Redskins young d-line trio came of age in win over Packers
As far as the team’s identity, Gruden thinks that will come over time.
“I think that takes time,” Gruden said. “It’s about consistency and production and the identity will come. Obviously, what we want our identity to be is a physical football team on both sides of the ball and a team that’s mentally tough. We had some great flashes of that yesterday – them scoring a long-bomb touchdown to make it 21-10 and us coming right back to score on a two-minute drill to make it 28-10. In the second half, them scoring – we go three and out – and our defense is getting quality stops there to seal the deal. Some great situational work, some great signs of mental toughness and some great signs of hustle all across the board from our defensive line, linebackers, safeties, so it was an impressive performance.”
The Redskins have the week off before traveling to New Orleans for a Monday night contest on October 8th.