Going into Sunday’s Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins wanted to build off last week’s quick start on both sides of the ball. A win would have put them back to .500 and eased the sting of the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a game most felt they let slip away. For the second straight week however, the defense failed to live up to their end of the bargain and give some support to the offense. The Redskins were defeated 31-21.
Despite the loss, there are positives and negatives to take away from the Burgundy and Gold’s home performance at FedEx Field. The following are a few players/units that saw stocks rise or fall versus the Cowboys:
Stock Up
1). WR Terry McLaurin
After having a Week 1 performance where he put up 125 yards and one touchdown, McLaurin followed it up with another solid performance. The rookie wide receiver out of Ohio State once again provided quarterback Case Keenum with a reliable target.
McLaurin’s footwork from the snap to his excellent route-running skills enables him to get open with ease. The former Cathedral High School standout also attacks the football when it’s in the air, making it difficult for defenders to make a play on it. On Sunday the former Buckeye came away with five catches (of nine targets) for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Terry McLaurin is making veteran plays out there. His route running ablities and his ability to sell the route is just phenomenal. Very mature player. #Redskins #DALvsWAS
— Dujunnea Bland (@NotBland21) September 15, 2019
2). RB Chris Thompson
The Redskins love to have guys that they can use in multiple formations. Thompson continues to show his versatility as he showed his effectiveness in the passing and running games. The Florida State star did most of his damage in the passing game, hauling in five-of-eight targets for 48 yards. Thompson’s contributions helped keep some Redskins drives alive and also allowed for the offense to be in third-and-short situations.
Stock Down
1). Greg Manusky
For a second straight week, the Redskins defense failed to get the opponent off the field consistently. The Cowboys were seven-of-11 (63.63 percent) on third down and were able to put together back-to-back scoring drives of 11 and nine plays that consumed 9:25 of game clock.
In the first two weeks then, Washington’s defense has allowed opponents to convert 64.28 percent of the time on third down and has allowed a staggering 63 points. Having made a significant investment on the defensive side of the ball this past offseason, there is simply no excuse for this unit to display the same lack of discipline and attention to detail that existed in 2018.
Players have to make plays but coaches have to put their players in position to make plays consistently. If the Redskins want to have any chance and winning football games, these issues must be corrected immediately.
With all that talent on defense there is no excuse for the #Redskins to have these mental gaff’s. Greg Manusky has to do a better job of putting his talent in position to make plays. To come out and have the same issue in week two says alot about the coaching #DALvsWAS #Redskins
— Dujunnea Bland (@NotBland21) September 15, 2019