The Washington Redskins, coming into Sunday’s Week 1 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, wanted to build off last season’s quick start. A win would have given them their second straight opening-day victory under Head Coach Jay Gruden but the team was unable to maintain a 20-7 halftime lead.
There are numerous positives and negatives to take away from the Burgundy and Gold’s performance at Lincoln Financial Field so to follow are a few players/units that saw stocks rise or fall versus the Eagles:
Stock Up
QB Case Keenum
If there was ever a time when the Redskins needed solid quarterback play, it was Sunday on the road in a hostile environment. Throughout his career, Keenum has displayed a propensity for spreading the ball around, making it difficult for the defense to key in on any individual player.
On Sunday, the QB played within his abilities, empowering those around him to make plays. The journeyman signal-caller did a respectable job of getting the ball out of his hands quickly by making clear-cut decisions in the pocket and putting the ball (for the most part) where only his receiver could make the catch. The Texas native finished the game 30 of 44 for 380 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Scary Terry 😈 #WASvsPHI pic.twitter.com/6JgM0iwMzL
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 8, 2019
Offensive Line
From the beginning of training camp, the left side of the offensive line has been in question, especially with the absence of All-Pro LT Trent Williams. During the preseason, the rotation of LT Donald Penn, LT Geron Christian, and guards Ereck Flowers and Wes Martin; was very inconsistent. On Sunday, the Redskins offensive line fared well against the talented front-seven of the Eagles.
Bill Callahan’s group only allowed one sack on the day… a sack that quarterback Keenum put on himself, saying he held on to the ball longer than what was necessary.
Stock Down
Redskins Defense
After holding Philadelphia QB Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense to 134 yards and one touchdown in the first half, Greg Manusky’s unit once again was unable to establish consistency and be the backbone their offense needs. Washington would give up 25 points, 302 yards of offense in the second half. The offense may not have been as efficient in the second half but the Redskins defense has way too much talent to not have been able carry the offense while it worked out the required adjustments.
Adjustment have to be made and the #Redskins didn’t do a very good job of that. Definitely need a better effort from the defense. The offense will continue to improve but the Defensive front needs to be a strong point of consistency to help this team early in the season
— Dujunnea Bland (@NotBland21) September 8, 2019
Washington must eliminate opposing teams converting on third down. The defensive squad was 11 of 17 on third down (64.7 percent) giving the Eagles opportunities to sustain drives that resulted in points. The Redskins will need a much better effort from this unit if they want to keep pace in the NFC East race for a possible playoff spot.
Head Coach Jay Gruden
With so many new parts and pieces to this offense, it’s even more imperative to maintain a balanced approach offensively. In Gruden’s tenure as the Redskins head man, he has a bit of a reputation for abandoning the run, regardless of its success. After an exceptional first half that saw a healthy balanced dose of the pass and run, Gruden resorted back to his bad habit.
It looked promising early but now Eagles are imposing their will on the #Redskins. I do question why it appears skins abandoned their run game. This was when they had a big lead and not now in the 2nd half. It’s now Eagles 29 – Redskins 20 and going south fast.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) September 8, 2019
The head coach must break this habit and get out of his own way so the defense can remain fresh, allowing for a complete package of success in all three phases of the game.