For the Washington Redskins, it was a night-and-day difference between Week 1 methodical offensive performance against the Arizona Cardinals and their Week 2 home-opener against the Indianapolis Colts. In that second game, they were disjointed with no cohesiveness or flow to the offensive attack.
#Redskins offense looks disjointed at the moment as does the offensive play calling. Big difference from last week!
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) September 16, 2018
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden and his play calling — along with the different offensive personnel groupings — didn’t take advantage of the aggressive downhill nature of the Colts defense. Washington’s failure to do so resulted in a two-of-seven third-down conversion rate in the first half. The Redskins finished the game converting five of 15 third downs for a 33.33 percent efficiency rating.
It's very clear that Jay Gruden is having a very difficult time calling plays that putting together an offense attack that can exploit the #Colts aggressive nature. Gruden has gotten away from things that have worked settling for predictable calls. #Redskins #INDvsWAS
— Dujunnea Bland (@NotBland21) September 16, 2018
Despite the Redskins defense allowing nine of 16 third-down conversions (56.25 percent), defensive coordinator Greg Manusky’s unit kept the Redskins offense within striking distance of taking the lead. Washington’s defense came away with two critical interceptions along with several opportunities to turn the tide in this game.
Greg Manuskys defense giving the #Redskins plenty of opportunities to get back in this ball game. The Offense has to put something together here. To many wasted gifts for the defense #INDvsWAS
— Dujunnea Bland (@NotBland21) September 16, 2018
Washington seemingly got away from finding creative ways to get their offensive play-makers (RB Chris Thompson, TE Jordan Reed and RB Adrian Peterson) involved early and often. The Colts didn’t do anything different defensively than what they showed in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals but the Redskins could not move the ball with any consistency.
Offensively, the Redskins were simply unable to keep the Colts defense off balance and they missed favorable matchups in the zone coverage that Indy played for most of the game. The Burgundy and gold’s coaching staff failed in their preparation and ability to make sound adjustments at the half.
There is no doubt that one team at Fed Ex Field looked ill-prepared to play a football game — the Redskins — and that the responsibility for it falls on the coaching staff.
#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
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Washington with QB Aaron Rodgers the Green Bay Packers coming into town in Week 3.