The Redskins have their second losing streak of the season, first since their 0-2 start, after falling to the Arizona Cardinals in Arizona, 31-23.
As every loss really is, this one is frustrating. The Redskins have shown promise and improvement in almost all of their wins this season, but in the last two losses regression has been the storyline. Today, not only did the Redskins show continued regression, but they were thoroughly outplayed.
Kirk Cousins had an average Kirk Cousins day, going 21/37 for 271 yards, a touchdown and an interception and fumble to match. The Cardinals' defense continued their season long streak of not allowing a quarterback to throw for 300 yards. The running game was imbalanced as it has been, with Rob Kelley getting all but four of the teams carries, gaining 63 yards on 14 rushing attempts. Kirk Cousins added the Redskins only rushing touchdown on a short quarterback sneak. An interesting note from this game is that three of the Redskins top receivers, Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder had at least 33 percent of their game's reception yards off of a single reception.
The defense played about average: mediocre stopping the pass and slightly better stopping the run. Carson Palmer went 30 of 46 for 300 yards and three touchdowns. The defense was able to get intermittent pressure on Palmer, but over the course of the game it didn't prove to phase him much. On the ground and in the air the Cardinals were led by David Johnson who had 18 rushes for 84 yards and a touchdown and nine receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.
The Redskins look to right the ship next Sunday at 1:00 p.m. against the hot-start Philadelphia eagles who are on a bit of a losing streak of their won, dropping six of their last seven after starting four and one.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Shootout at the AT&T Corral
Today is a day of giving thanks. I'm thankful for many things: Mike Ditka, Joe Buck's hair implants and most importantly, Hatin' ass Spurrier. The Redskins should be thankful that they were able to torn today's contest into an actual game by the time the fourth quarter rolled around.
The game started out ugly and looked like it wanted to stay that way with a missed 43-yard field goal, a failed two point conversion and two failed onside kicks.
The Redskins should also be thankful that Kirk Cousins really wants this new contract and that Jordan Reed was tired of this mediocre red zone offense and put the team on his separated shoulders.
Cowboys 31, Redskins 26 is the final from Arlington, Texas.
The balance of the offense is gone again because apparently winning is wrong and it actually doesn't matter. Kirk Cousins absolutely had the game of his life, completing 41 of his 53 attempted passes for 449 yards and these three touchdowns. 77 percent completions on over 35 passes is incredible and Kirk Cousins set the Redskins franchise record for 400-yard games. On the flip side, even though the commenters focused on how Rob Kelley had "Closed the door" on the starting running back spot, the Redskins still only attempted 18 rushes including a horribly obvious power out of The wildcat formation in the red zone. Kelley was able to pick up 37 yards on his 14 carries for a stellar 2.6 yard average per rush.
The defense was the defense and the Cowboys were the Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott and his chipmunk face had 120 all-purpose yards and two scores. Dan Prescott had 17 completions for 197 yards and a touchdown and Cole Beasley continued his season long audition for "Who wants to be the next undersized slot receiver for the New England Patriots?" The Redskins lost and Dallas is now an insufferable 10-1.
The Redskins next game is a week from Sunday at 4:25 against the Arizona Cardinals, who now own American pro sports' longest championship drought. Thank you Chicago.
The game started out ugly and looked like it wanted to stay that way with a missed 43-yard field goal, a failed two point conversion and two failed onside kicks.
The Redskins should also be thankful that Kirk Cousins really wants this new contract and that Jordan Reed was tired of this mediocre red zone offense and put the team on his separated shoulders.
Cowboys 31, Redskins 26 is the final from Arlington, Texas.
The balance of the offense is gone again because apparently winning is wrong and it actually doesn't matter. Kirk Cousins absolutely had the game of his life, completing 41 of his 53 attempted passes for 449 yards and these three touchdowns. 77 percent completions on over 35 passes is incredible and Kirk Cousins set the Redskins franchise record for 400-yard games. On the flip side, even though the commenters focused on how Rob Kelley had "Closed the door" on the starting running back spot, the Redskins still only attempted 18 rushes including a horribly obvious power out of The wildcat formation in the red zone. Kelley was able to pick up 37 yards on his 14 carries for a stellar 2.6 yard average per rush.
The defense was the defense and the Cowboys were the Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott and his chipmunk face had 120 all-purpose yards and two scores. Dan Prescott had 17 completions for 197 yards and a touchdown and Cole Beasley continued his season long audition for "Who wants to be the next undersized slot receiver for the New England Patriots?" The Redskins lost and Dallas is now an insufferable 10-1.
The Redskins next game is a week from Sunday at 4:25 against the Arizona Cardinals, who now own American pro sports' longest championship drought. Thank you Chicago.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Crack the Pack
Two weeks, two wins, two Kirk Cousins videos to celebrate these wins. Tonight, in primetime, the Redskins handed the struggling Green Bay Packers their fourth straight loss in a game that for the better part of four quarters appeared it would be a shootout. The Packers have been struggling since the end of last season with a frequently injured and even more frequently nonexistent defense, an equally banged up and invisible running game and a quarterback who's been proven to be human after all in Aaron Rodgers forced to put a pedestrian offense on his back.
While the Redskins earned this win, also worthy of note that this was only the second time in almost a calendar year that Aaron Rodgers has looked ready to break out of the slump he's been in. This being said, he was still erratic at times, overthrowing open receivers on short and intermediate routes by a yard or more. In the past year this was only the second time he'd thrown for over 300 yards in a game, with the other coming in week 7 against the bears, who led by Smokin' Jay Cutler have plenty of problems of their own.
But this blog is about the victors, the Redskins: hail to them. In reality, this win is about the offense. Kirk Cousin's continued his strong sophomore season as the go-to guy in Washington going 21 for 30 for 375 yards and three touchdowns. For the second straight week, Cousins didn't throw an interception, a fact which would be shocking if it weren't for the even more shocking news that the Redskins had more touchdowns than field goals. Rob Kelley played well again in Matt Jones's absence rushing for 137 yards, 68 of which came on this beauty, and three touchdowns on 24 completions. DeSean Jackson, Jamison Crowder, and Pierre Garcon were all recipients of Cousins touchdowns. For the second week in a row, the Redskins also had the more balanced offense with 30 passing and rushing attempts, compared to Green Bay's 44 passing attempts and 19 rushing attempts.
As it has been all season, the Redskins defense got torn apart by a team with a competent quarterback and passing game. Aaron Rodgers went off for 351 yards and three touchdowns on 26 completions and for awhile this game was destined to be a shootout. By the grace of god or coincidence the Green Bay run game was bad enough to compliment the run defense that is the strength of this Redskins defensive unit. Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, was Green Bay's leading rusher with 33 yards on three attempts.
For the second week in a row, the Redskins play a game not at 1:00 p.m., color me shocked. They take on the NFL's best Dallas Cowboys next week in Dallas at 4:30 p.m. Dallas comes in at 9-1 and has been the surprise of the season. A Redskins win would certainly make the NFC East playoff picture a lot more interesting.
While the Redskins earned this win, also worthy of note that this was only the second time in almost a calendar year that Aaron Rodgers has looked ready to break out of the slump he's been in. This being said, he was still erratic at times, overthrowing open receivers on short and intermediate routes by a yard or more. In the past year this was only the second time he'd thrown for over 300 yards in a game, with the other coming in week 7 against the bears, who led by Smokin' Jay Cutler have plenty of problems of their own.
But this blog is about the victors, the Redskins: hail to them. In reality, this win is about the offense. Kirk Cousin's continued his strong sophomore season as the go-to guy in Washington going 21 for 30 for 375 yards and three touchdowns. For the second straight week, Cousins didn't throw an interception, a fact which would be shocking if it weren't for the even more shocking news that the Redskins had more touchdowns than field goals. Rob Kelley played well again in Matt Jones's absence rushing for 137 yards, 68 of which came on this beauty, and three touchdowns on 24 completions. DeSean Jackson, Jamison Crowder, and Pierre Garcon were all recipients of Cousins touchdowns. For the second week in a row, the Redskins also had the more balanced offense with 30 passing and rushing attempts, compared to Green Bay's 44 passing attempts and 19 rushing attempts.
As it has been all season, the Redskins defense got torn apart by a team with a competent quarterback and passing game. Aaron Rodgers went off for 351 yards and three touchdowns on 26 completions and for awhile this game was destined to be a shootout. By the grace of god or coincidence the Green Bay run game was bad enough to compliment the run defense that is the strength of this Redskins defensive unit. Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, was Green Bay's leading rusher with 33 yards on three attempts.
For the second week in a row, the Redskins play a game not at 1:00 p.m., color me shocked. They take on the NFL's best Dallas Cowboys next week in Dallas at 4:30 p.m. Dallas comes in at 9-1 and has been the surprise of the season. A Redskins win would certainly make the NFC East playoff picture a lot more interesting.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Pillaging the Vikings
IT'S BACK! An ugly win is still a win. The Redskins love winning ugly, they love ugly games and they've shown it all season. If the tie wasn't enough to prove that, then today cemented it. It wasn't all ugly, the Redskins wore their Burgundy alternate jerseys and helmets with gray facemarks, which are among the best alternate jerseys in the NFL, the defense put together a successful game-ending stand and the Redskins came out with a win, so as ugly as it was, it was ultimately positive.
Offensively, the Redskins played about to their season average. Kirk Cousins was 22/33 with 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns to compliment those numbers. Kirk didn't throw any interceptions today which was a nice, yet surprising touch. Rob Kelley provided 97 yards on 22 carries in Matt Jones' absence. Cousins' two touchdowns came courtesy of Vernon Davis and Jamison Crowder. As could have been predicted, the Redskins had trouble getting into the end zone and Dustin Hopkins had to provide four field goals.
Defensively, today was a mixed bag. Stephon Diggs torched the defense with 13 receptions for 164 yards. Sam Bradford threw for 302 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 31 completions. In the rushing game, the Redskins were dominant. The Vikings leading rusher was Jerick McKinnon, who amassed 16 yards on six carries. For every lopsided game the Redskins had, for the Vikings, this was exponentially worse, as they were only able to muster 47 yards on 21 carries. It wasn't beautiful, but this was by no means even a bad defensive effort compared to what the Redskins have shown this season. Two key sacks on the final drive definitely helped the overall effort.
The Redskins now move to 5-3-1 and are still third in the NFC East. Next week they take on The Packers at home in a rare primetime game for the Redskins, Sunday at 8:30.
Offensively, the Redskins played about to their season average. Kirk Cousins was 22/33 with 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns to compliment those numbers. Kirk didn't throw any interceptions today which was a nice, yet surprising touch. Rob Kelley provided 97 yards on 22 carries in Matt Jones' absence. Cousins' two touchdowns came courtesy of Vernon Davis and Jamison Crowder. As could have been predicted, the Redskins had trouble getting into the end zone and Dustin Hopkins had to provide four field goals.
Defensively, today was a mixed bag. Stephon Diggs torched the defense with 13 receptions for 164 yards. Sam Bradford threw for 302 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 31 completions. In the rushing game, the Redskins were dominant. The Vikings leading rusher was Jerick McKinnon, who amassed 16 yards on six carries. For every lopsided game the Redskins had, for the Vikings, this was exponentially worse, as they were only able to muster 47 yards on 21 carries. It wasn't beautiful, but this was by no means even a bad defensive effort compared to what the Redskins have shown this season. Two key sacks on the final drive definitely helped the overall effort.
The Redskins now move to 5-3-1 and are still third in the NFC East. Next week they take on The Packers at home in a rare primetime game for the Redskins, Sunday at 8:30.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Comfortably Numb
For the first time since 1997, games have ended as ties in consecutive weeks, as the Redskins and Bengals fought to a 27-27 stalemate ate Wembley Stadium in Lindon, England. While this game was far more entertaining than last Sunday night's Cardinals-Seahawks affair, it was still a tie. While ties aren't as bad as a loss, they almost feel like a loss because of how unsatisfying the outcome is. The fact that there are still ties in the NFL is mind boggling. For a league that prides itself in the level of competition and action, ties are an antithesis. The NFL is desperate for more viewers, which is apparent with the overload of games in London and falling ratings. If the league wants to make overtime more exciting and attract new fans, it should adopt the overtime system that college football uses. That being said, there are way more pressing issues that the league needs to address before it considers overtime reform.
Rant aside, this week's tie, like last week's, came down to a missed field goal. This one came courtesy of the Redskins kicker Dustin Hopkins. It's become apparent that when a game goes bad, it's not because of the other team, its because the Redskins are their own worst enemy. Kirk Cousins had another big day passing, going 38-56 with 458 yards, a pair of touchdowns and his obligatory interception. Kirk Cousins attempted 58 passes. 58. That's unheard of. To have there be a game where an offense rushes the ball 31 times and the play calling is still lopsided by 27 plays is incredible almost impressive. It's not like the rushing game was failure either. Robert Kelley had a respectable 21 carries for 87 yards. The game became a bit of a shootout with an unsatisfying finish.
Defensively, this wasn't a great performance. Andy Dalton performed about how The Dalton Scale would predict, finishing 27-42 with a touchdown, interception and a rushing touchdown. The Bengals' leading rusher was Jeremy Hill who had 20 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown. While these stats aren't impressive by any means, it was the Redskins defense that allowed the Bengals to stay in the game. Three of the Bengals four touchdown drives were for 60 or more yards.
I'm going to be saying this all season. The Redskins have proven that anything is possible during any game. They could be the most hot-or-cold team in the NFL. We'll see which team shows up on November 13th at home against the Minnesota Vikings at 1:00 p.m. The Redskins have their bye week next week.
Rant aside, this week's tie, like last week's, came down to a missed field goal. This one came courtesy of the Redskins kicker Dustin Hopkins. It's become apparent that when a game goes bad, it's not because of the other team, its because the Redskins are their own worst enemy. Kirk Cousins had another big day passing, going 38-56 with 458 yards, a pair of touchdowns and his obligatory interception. Kirk Cousins attempted 58 passes. 58. That's unheard of. To have there be a game where an offense rushes the ball 31 times and the play calling is still lopsided by 27 plays is incredible almost impressive. It's not like the rushing game was failure either. Robert Kelley had a respectable 21 carries for 87 yards. The game became a bit of a shootout with an unsatisfying finish.
Defensively, this wasn't a great performance. Andy Dalton performed about how The Dalton Scale would predict, finishing 27-42 with a touchdown, interception and a rushing touchdown. The Bengals' leading rusher was Jeremy Hill who had 20 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown. While these stats aren't impressive by any means, it was the Redskins defense that allowed the Bengals to stay in the game. Three of the Bengals four touchdown drives were for 60 or more yards.
I'm going to be saying this all season. The Redskins have proven that anything is possible during any game. They could be the most hot-or-cold team in the NFL. We'll see which team shows up on November 13th at home against the Minnesota Vikings at 1:00 p.m. The Redskins have their bye week next week.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
All Good Things Must Come to an End
That was ugly. So ugly. That was not the Redskins team that has shown up for the last four games. Two turnovers and a missed field goal aren't usually benchmarks of a successful game.
That last drive. The last Lions drive. Matthew Stafford has proven himself as a last-minute quarterback, but that was embarrassing. The Redskins defense, which had been looking better coming into this game, allowed the Lions to drive 80 yards in 49 seconds. Throughout the game, the defense, while only allowing 20 points, regressed. Josh Norman left the game in the third quarter with a concussion and Bashaud Breeland found himself picked on time and again.
The offense was a mixed bag. Kirk Cousins was 30-39 with 301 yards and a touchdown. Jamison Crowder had seven receptions for 108 yards. Matt Jones struggled again, and the team's leading rusher was Chris Thompson, who gained 73 yards on 12 attempts. Jones was held to 27 yards on 10 attempts. There were 10 more passing attempts than there were rushing, which isn't that bad, but isn't optimal at 39-29.
The winning streak had to end eventually, but that was an ugly way for it to end. The Redskins will look to right the ship next week in London, at Wembley Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game will start at 9:30 a.m. eastern time.
That last drive. The last Lions drive. Matthew Stafford has proven himself as a last-minute quarterback, but that was embarrassing. The Redskins defense, which had been looking better coming into this game, allowed the Lions to drive 80 yards in 49 seconds. Throughout the game, the defense, while only allowing 20 points, regressed. Josh Norman left the game in the third quarter with a concussion and Bashaud Breeland found himself picked on time and again.
The offense was a mixed bag. Kirk Cousins was 30-39 with 301 yards and a touchdown. Jamison Crowder had seven receptions for 108 yards. Matt Jones struggled again, and the team's leading rusher was Chris Thompson, who gained 73 yards on 12 attempts. Jones was held to 27 yards on 10 attempts. There were 10 more passing attempts than there were rushing, which isn't that bad, but isn't optimal at 39-29.
The winning streak had to end eventually, but that was an ugly way for it to end. The Redskins will look to right the ship next week in London, at Wembley Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game will start at 9:30 a.m. eastern time.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
No Fly Zone
Four straight wins, four straight weeks of the best audio to come out of Washington since 1972. An explosive rushing performance by Matt Jones, paired with a defensive effort that shut down rookie phenom Carson Wentz lifted the Redskins to a 27-20 win.
Just like every other Redskins game this season and seemingly every single game for the rest of time, it wasn't always pretty. There was the 86-yard kickoff return touchdown, set up by an excessive celebration penalty on Vernon Davis' touchdown. There were slight red zone struggles, capped by Malcolm Jenkins taking a Kirk Cousins pass 86 yards to the Baja. Overall though, it was a fun win to watch.
Aside from the pick-6, Cousins continued to cruise with the offense, going 18-for-34 with 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns, one of which was this beautiful 16-yarder to Jamison Crowder. Balance was restored back to the offense, with 33 rushes to nearly match the 34 passing attempts. 15 of those rushing attempts came courtesy of Matt Jones, who took those attempts for 135 yards an a touchdown.
The Redskins defense cooled down the hot start of Eagles rookie phenom Carson Wentz. The North Dakota State product went just 11-for-22 with 179 yards and no offensive touchdowns to his team's credit. in addition, he was sacked five times, with two and a half of those coming courtesy of Ryan Kerrigan. The backfield continued their streak of keeping the offense without a 100-yard receiver and in the surprise of the season Bashaud Breeland looked comfortable in coverage. Any given Sunday.
After the disasters that were the first two weeks of the season, this Redskins turnaround has been astonishing. Not only was the defense able to recover, but the offense has been able ton establish a running game and work through the woes of the red zone that plagued their start. The Redskins are now second in the NFC East, behind the equally surprising start of the rookie-led Dallas Cowboys.
The Redskins next game is a week from today in Detroit against the Lions. The game is at 1:00 and the lions are coming off of two straight victories over the Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams.
Just like every other Redskins game this season and seemingly every single game for the rest of time, it wasn't always pretty. There was the 86-yard kickoff return touchdown, set up by an excessive celebration penalty on Vernon Davis' touchdown. There were slight red zone struggles, capped by Malcolm Jenkins taking a Kirk Cousins pass 86 yards to the Baja. Overall though, it was a fun win to watch.
Aside from the pick-6, Cousins continued to cruise with the offense, going 18-for-34 with 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns, one of which was this beautiful 16-yarder to Jamison Crowder. Balance was restored back to the offense, with 33 rushes to nearly match the 34 passing attempts. 15 of those rushing attempts came courtesy of Matt Jones, who took those attempts for 135 yards an a touchdown.
The Redskins defense cooled down the hot start of Eagles rookie phenom Carson Wentz. The North Dakota State product went just 11-for-22 with 179 yards and no offensive touchdowns to his team's credit. in addition, he was sacked five times, with two and a half of those coming courtesy of Ryan Kerrigan. The backfield continued their streak of keeping the offense without a 100-yard receiver and in the surprise of the season Bashaud Breeland looked comfortable in coverage. Any given Sunday.
After the disasters that were the first two weeks of the season, this Redskins turnaround has been astonishing. Not only was the defense able to recover, but the offense has been able ton establish a running game and work through the woes of the red zone that plagued their start. The Redskins are now second in the NFC East, behind the equally surprising start of the rookie-led Dallas Cowboys.
The Redskins next game is a week from today in Detroit against the Lions. The game is at 1:00 and the lions are coming off of two straight victories over the Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams.
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