Having a chance to show the nation what type of team they were by facing a formidable opponent on the road, the Washington Redskins did the opposite and played an undisciplined game in a 43-19 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints.
The Redskins were looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season but will now be faced with several questions about their make-up and preparation.
Despite the lopsided 43-19 loss, Washington still leads the NFC East division with a record of 2-2. The next several weeks of a tough schedule, however, will determine the fate of the Redskins season.
Here are four things we learned about the Burgundy and Gold in the lopsided loss:
1. The Redskins lose when they don’t run the ball
As mentioned when the Redskins win, the correlation to their success is when they rush for over 100 yards as a team. Jay Gruden has a record of 27-10-1 when his teams accomplish that feat.
In the Redskins two losses this season, their running game was non-existent due to the defenses keying on Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson. Adjustments weren’t made, however, to offset the lack of run production in both of those losses.
Coming into Monday nights game against a prolific offense such as New Orleans and with the emotions of the night centered around Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees entering the NFL record books, the Redskins needed to come out and establish a tone but yet chose to turn the game into a shootout early and failed.
On the day the redskins rushed for a total of 39 yards on 18 attempts.
2. Play calling is not consistent
Redskins coach Jay Gruden is widely liked by the players who play for him and the media who go out to Redskins Park on a daily basis. I have always thought that he is good for the Redskins and still do, but, his play calling at times leaves everyone wondering what the ultimate goal is.
The Redskins almost had to establish the run against the Saints and inexplicably came out and threw the ball. That’s what drives fans crazy at times because the Redskins coaching staff are out-thinking themselves.
I wanted to see Gruden come out and establish the run tonight. Send a sign that the #Redskins wanted to set a tone and be physical. Instead they came out passing and tried to duel with the wrong QB. Game was over real early.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) October 9, 2018
When Gruden puts together a top-notch game plan he is one of the most innovative offensive minds in football. The flipside is Gruden seems set on making the Redskins a pass first team despite the personnel clearly showing that they are a run first team in 2018.
3. Redskins need to utilize their weapons more often
Washington has a few weapons that most teams around the NFL would covet. Too many times though it seems as if the Redskins coaching staff are set in their ways and don’t maximize their top talent.
TE Jordan Reed is widely viewed around the NFL as one of the top two or three players at his position. The Redskins for some reason don’t target Reed as much as his production has proven when he is a focal point of the offense.
Slot receiver Jamison Crowder has also seen his production drop despite being one of the more accomplished wideouts on the team.
Perhaps Washington should make it a point to force feed those two players in the passing game until they are completely neutralized by opposing defenses? Gruden’s offense is predicated on spreading the ball around but there are times when a play has to be made by an elite talent and they have that in Reed.
RB Chris Thompson is another player that when he has the ball good things happen. The time is now to let playmakers make plays.
4. The Redskins may be more equipped to be boring but physical
On both sides of the ball, the Redskins have assembled enough top talent in the trenches to be getting a better result. Despite their defense coming into the game ranked No.1 in total defense and against the pass, the Redskins didn’t generate enough pressure on Brees for most of the game.
They have to be more aggressive and not look like players are out on the field thinking about assignments all of the time.
On offense, Washington has to decide if they want to be physical or finesse. Finesse looks good but in the end, doesn’t win in January.
The Redskins have two All-Pro offensive linemen in Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff. They also have a budding right tackle in Morgan Moses that could become a Pro Bowler in the near future. All three of those players have been playing banged up with Williams and Morgan coming off of offseason surgery. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the linemen play better when they are allowed to run block and get into a rhythm.
Washington has to decide if winning boring is better than losing pretty. Again, they failed to compete during the biggest stage in football and will add to their already abysmal primetime record.
Once again the #Redskins are not ready for the bright lights or expectations of being a good team. To play this way coming off of a bye week is unfathomable. Too many individuals tonight and not enough team.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) October 9, 2018