The 0-4 Washington Redskins came away from their Week 3 Monday Night Football loss to the Chicago Bears needing to correct some significant issues. But it didn’t happen against the New York Giants. In fact, Washington was unable to get anything substantial going on either side of the ball and lost the game 24-3.
Making the same untimely mistakes that have plagued them since opening day, the Redskins offense — for the second time this season — turned the ball over four times. The result was 21 points for their NFC East division rival. Washington’s defense did come up with four turnovers of its own but couldn’t get the critical third-down stops.
Despite the score, there are numerous positives and negatives to take away from the Burgundy and Gold’s road performance in East Rutherford N.J. To follow are a few players/coaches that saw stocks rise or fall versus the Giants:
Stock up
1). RB Chris Thompson
Through the first four games, Thompson has made an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Not only did he make key blocks in pass protection, the former Florida State standout also made positive plays that extended drives. The six-year pro displayed quickness and elusiveness in the passing game.
Thompson finished the game with four rushing attempts for four yards and caught four-of-five targets in the passing game for 56 yards. He has done much of the damage in the passing game this season, amassing 251 yards on 20 catches.
2). WR/KR Steven Sims
Sims has shown he can play both on special teams but he deserves more opportunities. His solid 81-yard kick return was, unfortunately, negated by an untimely penalty. But whenever he has been on the field, his speed and versatility are apparent.
The former Kansas product does an excellent job of attacking the coverage on kickoffs. Sims shows no wasted motion as he gets downhill, quickly reading the coverage and reacting accordingly. The wideout could be a long term solution as a returner but also a weapon that could be used in creative offensive plays that take advantage of his skill set.
Stock Down
1). Head Coach Jay Gruden
Over the first four weeks of the season, Gruden’s team has shown no improvement. For two weeks straight, both the offense and the defense have looked unprepared, uninspired and undisciplined. Offensively for a fourth straight week, Washington was unable to convert on third down. The Redskins are an embarrassing 12 of 42 on third down (28.6 percent).
It’s week four and it looks worst than it did in week one. This group is uninspired, undisciplined, unprepared. I really feel awful for #RedskinsNation Like I said on my podcast, the players need to keep the fans out of there mouth. This product is ? #Redskins #WASvsNYG
— Dujunnea Bland (@NotBland21) September 29, 2019
The run game lacks creativity, leaving the offense ineffective on the ground. Gruden’s offense is averaging 2.9 rush yards per attempt on 68 total carries. This lack of balance has proven to be the demise of this unit as they were only able to get eight first downs for the entire game against New York.
Injuries are just becoming an excuse because plenty of teams around the league are having success despite missing personnel. It is up to the coaches to construct game plans that fit whatever players they will have week-to-week. Gruden has yet to provide his personnel guys with a game plan that puts them in positions to be successful.
2). Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky
The defense has been a dumpster fire from the beginning of the season. Pour tackling, miscommunication in the secondary and average schemes have often exposed the deficiencies of the players. Manusky’s unit is a horrific 34-of-54 (63 percent) in opponent third-down conversions and Sunday, the Giants converted eight-of-13 third downs.
As well, the Redskins’ defense is giving up 399.3 yards per game and allowing a flabbergasting 118 point through four games. Failure to design a game plan fit for the strengths of Manusky’s roster has been a death-dealing blow for a team that was looking to lean on this unit early in the season.