It is Sunday, September 25, and the Washington Redskins have won a game in the 2016-2017 NFL season.
The Redskins handed the New York Football Giants their first loss of this young NFL season in rather dramatic fashion, 29-27. Oh yeah, by the way.
Was the game perfect? No. Will the level of play shown today win a Super Bowl? No. But every win is a step in the right direction. Avoiding the pit of an 0-3 start is a big step, considering only 3 teams since 1990 have been able to find their way out of that pit. The game saw the return of the heated Josh Norman-Odell Beckham Jr. rivalry and while Beckham had seven receptions for 121 yards, Norman and the Redskins came out victorious...so draw?
This may finally be the Redskins offense that was expected after last season. Kirk Cousins overcame his red zone scoring frustrations by deciding that the red zone was overrated anyway. His two touchdown passes came from 44 and 55 yards out respectively and reminded fans and critics alike that sometimes you have to unleash the dragon. The play calling was the most balanced that it has been this season, with 30 rushing attempts to compliment 36 pass attempts. among those pass attempts came this fourth down trickery from punter Tress Way.
What ultimately killed the Giants may have just been an inability to avoid mistakes, mistakes in the forms of 11 penalties for 128 yards and three turnovers. Included among these penalties was center Weston Richburg, who was ejected from the game.
The Redskins next game is against the Cleveland Browns on a week from today at 1:00 p.m. The Browns are coming off of an overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Giant hurdles
The Giants. The New York Football Giants. Three Super Bowl wins since the turn of the century for a team that has empty press conferences and a quarterback that looks like this. A team who's most famous fan is animated.
Those are just facts. Well, maybe not the last part.
Anyway, that team in 2-0, while the Redskins are 0-2. That doesn't provide a lot of leverage for jokes or belief in the Redskins' chances on Sunday. Oh well.
Three weeks, three teams, three all-star receivers; this is how the Redskins have started their season. Before the thought of Bashaud Breeland covering Odell Beckham Jr. has you reaching for the nearest container of bleach, much like Odell's barber, consider that football is a game played by humans. Humans are the dominant species on planet earth. Humans, as a species, achieved this mark due to having a profound mental ability to recognize and adapt to challenges. Joe Barry is the defensive coordinator for the Redskins. Joe Barry is a human being or, since he coaches a team named after Native Americans, possibly a convincing skin-walker. Assuming that Joe Barry is a human who can recognize and adapt to challenges, he'll notice that his defense's exploitation is avoidable. He doesn't even have to abandon his beloved cover-three zone.
While Josh Norman is among the NFL's elite in zone coverage, the rest of the Redskins are not, allowing teams to use their #1 receiver to find holes where Norman is not. Norman can stay in zone coverage where he is best, while still trailing the #1 receiver pre-snap. This either forces the recover to stay in Norman's zone, or go across the field, which takes time. Considering the history between Beckham and Norman, it may be for the benefit of the Redskins, minus Josh Norman's brain tissue, to keep Beckham in Norman's zone.
In good news, the Giants are coming off of a forgettable offensive output against a Saints defense that was 31st in the league in 2015. Their passing game was similar to the Redskins, with Eli Manning throwing for 368 yards but without a touchdown to show for it. In fact, the only touchdown the G-Men scored was off of a blocked field goal in the second quarter. The rushing game was pedestrian, accomplishing on 64 yards on 32 attempts. Defensively the Giants are allowing an average of only 16 points and 308 yards per game so far this season, but against the Cowboys and the Saints, not exactly offensive juggernauts.
This game is another chance for the Redskins to redeem themselves in the division, maybe the third times the charm. The offense has shown flashes of 2015, minus the red-zone woes. The defense should look to adjust and avoid further getting exposed by the all-pro, all-hair team.
Those are just facts. Well, maybe not the last part.
Anyway, that team in 2-0, while the Redskins are 0-2. That doesn't provide a lot of leverage for jokes or belief in the Redskins' chances on Sunday. Oh well.
Three weeks, three teams, three all-star receivers; this is how the Redskins have started their season. Before the thought of Bashaud Breeland covering Odell Beckham Jr. has you reaching for the nearest container of bleach, much like Odell's barber, consider that football is a game played by humans. Humans are the dominant species on planet earth. Humans, as a species, achieved this mark due to having a profound mental ability to recognize and adapt to challenges. Joe Barry is the defensive coordinator for the Redskins. Joe Barry is a human being or, since he coaches a team named after Native Americans, possibly a convincing skin-walker. Assuming that Joe Barry is a human who can recognize and adapt to challenges, he'll notice that his defense's exploitation is avoidable. He doesn't even have to abandon his beloved cover-three zone.
While Josh Norman is among the NFL's elite in zone coverage, the rest of the Redskins are not, allowing teams to use their #1 receiver to find holes where Norman is not. Norman can stay in zone coverage where he is best, while still trailing the #1 receiver pre-snap. This either forces the recover to stay in Norman's zone, or go across the field, which takes time. Considering the history between Beckham and Norman, it may be for the benefit of the Redskins, minus Josh Norman's brain tissue, to keep Beckham in Norman's zone.
In good news, the Giants are coming off of a forgettable offensive output against a Saints defense that was 31st in the league in 2015. Their passing game was similar to the Redskins, with Eli Manning throwing for 368 yards but without a touchdown to show for it. In fact, the only touchdown the G-Men scored was off of a blocked field goal in the second quarter. The rushing game was pedestrian, accomplishing on 64 yards on 32 attempts. Defensively the Giants are allowing an average of only 16 points and 308 yards per game so far this season, but against the Cowboys and the Saints, not exactly offensive juggernauts.
This game is another chance for the Redskins to redeem themselves in the division, maybe the third times the charm. The offense has shown flashes of 2015, minus the red-zone woes. The defense should look to adjust and avoid further getting exposed by the all-pro, all-hair team.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Now this is Familiar
That wasn't pretty. That was not a Redskins team that will win a division title.
The Dallas Cowboys were coming off of an embarrassing last minute loss to the Giants with a rookie quarterback and an underperforming Dez Bryant. This had all the makings of a winnable game. Instead, the defense got exposed for the second week in a row and the offense stalled in the red zone again and the Redskins sit at 0-2.
Kirk Cousins had a 364-yard passing day, but with only one touchdown and a red zone interception to show for it. He was errant, overthrowing passes in the red zone and overthrowing a wide open DeSean Jackson on a go route, to which an announcer responded "I didn't even known that was possible." That comment came just minutes after the broadcasting crew posed the question of when Kirk will be considered among the NFL's elite quarterbacks. Cousins was able to find rookie Josh Doctson for a 57 yard reception, his only catch of the game. Again the Redskins heavily favored the passing game, with 46 attempts, compared to only 17 rushing attempts, 13 of those going to Matt Jones. Jones was better than last week and scored the Redskins' first touchdown of the game.
Defensively, the Redskins zone and specifically Bashaud Breeland, again, were picked apart all game. For the second week in a row the Redskins chose not to have Josh Norman tail the opposing team's number one receiver and for the second week in a row it backfired, to the tune of Dez Bryant's seven receptions for 102 yards. Bryant had not had a 100-yard receiving game, since Tony Romo was injured in the 2015 season and was coming off a one reception game against the Giants last week. Cole Beasley also torched the defense for five receptions and 75 yards. Norman played well, with four tackles and a forced fumble on running back Ezekiel Elliot. While the defense will surely improve once adjustments have been made to the coverage schemes and Brashaud Breeland is no longer getting exposed by elite receivers, there is still a lot left to be desired.
The Redskins' next game is on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., against the 2-0 New York football Giants.
The Dallas Cowboys were coming off of an embarrassing last minute loss to the Giants with a rookie quarterback and an underperforming Dez Bryant. This had all the makings of a winnable game. Instead, the defense got exposed for the second week in a row and the offense stalled in the red zone again and the Redskins sit at 0-2.
Kirk Cousins had a 364-yard passing day, but with only one touchdown and a red zone interception to show for it. He was errant, overthrowing passes in the red zone and overthrowing a wide open DeSean Jackson on a go route, to which an announcer responded "I didn't even known that was possible." That comment came just minutes after the broadcasting crew posed the question of when Kirk will be considered among the NFL's elite quarterbacks. Cousins was able to find rookie Josh Doctson for a 57 yard reception, his only catch of the game. Again the Redskins heavily favored the passing game, with 46 attempts, compared to only 17 rushing attempts, 13 of those going to Matt Jones. Jones was better than last week and scored the Redskins' first touchdown of the game.
Defensively, the Redskins zone and specifically Bashaud Breeland, again, were picked apart all game. For the second week in a row the Redskins chose not to have Josh Norman tail the opposing team's number one receiver and for the second week in a row it backfired, to the tune of Dez Bryant's seven receptions for 102 yards. Bryant had not had a 100-yard receiving game, since Tony Romo was injured in the 2015 season and was coming off a one reception game against the Giants last week. Cole Beasley also torched the defense for five receptions and 75 yards. Norman played well, with four tackles and a forced fumble on running back Ezekiel Elliot. While the defense will surely improve once adjustments have been made to the coverage schemes and Brashaud Breeland is no longer getting exposed by elite receivers, there is still a lot left to be desired.
The Redskins' next game is on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., against the 2-0 New York football Giants.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Never mind
It wasn't close and it wasn't pretty, there's no way around that.
Last night the Steelers proved why they're considered Super Bowl contenders even without their offense at full force and a defense considered weak en route to a 38-16 victory. Ben Rothlisberger went 27/37 passing with 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, compiling a quarterback rating of 112.4. DeAngelo Williams provided 26 carries for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns, while every fantasy league's #1 pick, Antonio Brown, had 8 receptions for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Redskin's defense went with the odd choice of sticking to their zone defense coverage, which allowed Antonio Brown to exploit his matchup against cornerback Bashaud Breeland. During the rare plays where Brown was lined up against Norman, he didn't have a single reception and Norman had two passes defended. Breeland is no joke as a cornerback, but was overwhelmed by Brown all night. As it does to most team, Pittsburgh's offense exposed the Redskins' defense, but this was the first game of a long season and will likely be the best offense Washington faces all year.
While 16 points is by no means anything to celebrate, there were flashes of brilliance, though few and far in between. The Redskins were able to bet into the redzone six times, but were held to three field goals, one touchdown and an interception. While rookie Josh Doctson was able to play, he only had one reception for nine yards in a game where Kirk Cousins attempted 43 passes. To accompany these passes came only 12 running plays and seven carries for the recovering Matt Jones. The Redskins aren't the type of tea that can plan on throwing the ball all game every game. Granted Kirk Cousins had an impressive season in 2015, but one good season doesn't make it a smart move to put the full pressure of an offense on a second-year starter.
A season opening loss is by no means the end of hope, and while a loss of this magnitude is disheartening, it's a long season. The next game is an afternoon affair against the Dallas Cowboys who are coming off a less-than-stellar 2015 and a week one loss of their own. This game should prove to be much more representative of the Redskins' capabilities and standing within the NFC East.
Last night the Steelers proved why they're considered Super Bowl contenders even without their offense at full force and a defense considered weak en route to a 38-16 victory. Ben Rothlisberger went 27/37 passing with 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, compiling a quarterback rating of 112.4. DeAngelo Williams provided 26 carries for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns, while every fantasy league's #1 pick, Antonio Brown, had 8 receptions for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Redskin's defense went with the odd choice of sticking to their zone defense coverage, which allowed Antonio Brown to exploit his matchup against cornerback Bashaud Breeland. During the rare plays where Brown was lined up against Norman, he didn't have a single reception and Norman had two passes defended. Breeland is no joke as a cornerback, but was overwhelmed by Brown all night. As it does to most team, Pittsburgh's offense exposed the Redskins' defense, but this was the first game of a long season and will likely be the best offense Washington faces all year.
While 16 points is by no means anything to celebrate, there were flashes of brilliance, though few and far in between. The Redskins were able to bet into the redzone six times, but were held to three field goals, one touchdown and an interception. While rookie Josh Doctson was able to play, he only had one reception for nine yards in a game where Kirk Cousins attempted 43 passes. To accompany these passes came only 12 running plays and seven carries for the recovering Matt Jones. The Redskins aren't the type of tea that can plan on throwing the ball all game every game. Granted Kirk Cousins had an impressive season in 2015, but one good season doesn't make it a smart move to put the full pressure of an offense on a second-year starter.
A season opening loss is by no means the end of hope, and while a loss of this magnitude is disheartening, it's a long season. The next game is an afternoon affair against the Dallas Cowboys who are coming off a less-than-stellar 2015 and a week one loss of their own. This game should prove to be much more representative of the Redskins' capabilities and standing within the NFC East.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
A Chance for Glory
Football is a sport rivaled only by baseball in the sheer amount of cliches used by even the most casual of fans. The sport is full of "gym rats," "hustle guys," and "reals pro's pro's," as wordplay makes it much easier to describe something than actually thinking of a logical and accurate description.
One of the most commonly thrown around cliches is referring to an important game as a "must-win," as if there are games that really don't matter.
For the Redskins, Monday's game fits all the common criteria for a "must-win." The team is coming off an impressive season last year, and has a chance to prove themselves against a consensus Super Bowl pick early in the season. A win could prove that unlike 2012, last season was not a fluke. The unfortunate aspect of the Redskins situation is that this is the first game of the season. It's not preferable to start the season with the pressure so high.
Team injury reports have become so purposefully vague that they're essentially cliches. Because of cases like Tom Brady being labeled at questionable/probable almost every week of his career, the NFL decided to remove "probable" as one of the terms to define weekly player injury. For the Redskins, injuries could prove to be crucial to the game, even before the first snap.
Both WR Josh Doctson and RB Matt Jones are listed as "questionable," with Jones having the more optimistic outlook, as Doctson has been out since August with an achilles injury. Without Jones and Doctson, Kirk Cousins is going to have a much harder time taking advantage of a weak Pittsburgh secondary.
Cliche or not, this is an important game early in the season for Washington. Not only is it important to start the season with a win, but division wise the Eagles and Giants both won their openers.
One of the most commonly thrown around cliches is referring to an important game as a "must-win," as if there are games that really don't matter.
For the Redskins, Monday's game fits all the common criteria for a "must-win." The team is coming off an impressive season last year, and has a chance to prove themselves against a consensus Super Bowl pick early in the season. A win could prove that unlike 2012, last season was not a fluke. The unfortunate aspect of the Redskins situation is that this is the first game of the season. It's not preferable to start the season with the pressure so high.
Team injury reports have become so purposefully vague that they're essentially cliches. Because of cases like Tom Brady being labeled at questionable/probable almost every week of his career, the NFL decided to remove "probable" as one of the terms to define weekly player injury. For the Redskins, injuries could prove to be crucial to the game, even before the first snap.
Both WR Josh Doctson and RB Matt Jones are listed as "questionable," with Jones having the more optimistic outlook, as Doctson has been out since August with an achilles injury. Without Jones and Doctson, Kirk Cousins is going to have a much harder time taking advantage of a weak Pittsburgh secondary.
Cliche or not, this is an important game early in the season for Washington. Not only is it important to start the season with a win, but division wise the Eagles and Giants both won their openers.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Into the Void
Just as the thought of sitting through one more week of baseball and summer Sportscenter's round-the-clock coverage of Tim Tebow's living room threatened to erase any remaining will to live, football is back to fill the void in your life like nothing else can.
The Redskins' season begins on Monday night at home against the favorite out of the AFC: the Pittsburgh Steelers. While maybe this isn't he ideal team to start off the season against, like say the Cowboys would be, Pittsburgh is no cause for alarm.
Contrary to franchise history, the Steelers of 2016 look to win through quite possibly the NFL's best offense and a serviceable defense. The Steelers are also without Martavis Bryant and Le'Veon Bell, because apparently Pittsburgh weed is just too good to learn from your first suspension. With those two immediate factors out of the game, expect the offense to be slightly more pedestrian. this will lead to an even more interesting Antonio Brown-Josh Norman matchup.
Offensively, look for Kirk Cousins to embrace Pittsburgh's weak secondary with arms wide open. Anything that the Redskins can do to exploit this backfield, while also easing a recovering Matt Jones into his workload for the season will lead to success, not only in this game, but for the rest of the year. To assume that Pittsburgh's defense can be overlooked is because of a weak secondary is a dangerous game. The line really relies on whether or not the Redskins can get a healthy Josh Doctson on the field.
This matchup has all the makings of a high scoring game. Even with the suspensions, Pittsburgh's offense is electric and with Ben Rothlisberger at the helm, the passing game is more dangerous than a night out with Aquib Talib. Conversely, with a healthy Doctson, the Steelers don't really have a sure-fire way to shut down the Redskins passing game.
The Redskins' season begins on Monday night at home against the favorite out of the AFC: the Pittsburgh Steelers. While maybe this isn't he ideal team to start off the season against, like say the Cowboys would be, Pittsburgh is no cause for alarm.
Contrary to franchise history, the Steelers of 2016 look to win through quite possibly the NFL's best offense and a serviceable defense. The Steelers are also without Martavis Bryant and Le'Veon Bell, because apparently Pittsburgh weed is just too good to learn from your first suspension. With those two immediate factors out of the game, expect the offense to be slightly more pedestrian. this will lead to an even more interesting Antonio Brown-Josh Norman matchup.
Offensively, look for Kirk Cousins to embrace Pittsburgh's weak secondary with arms wide open. Anything that the Redskins can do to exploit this backfield, while also easing a recovering Matt Jones into his workload for the season will lead to success, not only in this game, but for the rest of the year. To assume that Pittsburgh's defense can be overlooked is because of a weak secondary is a dangerous game. The line really relies on whether or not the Redskins can get a healthy Josh Doctson on the field.
This matchup has all the makings of a high scoring game. Even with the suspensions, Pittsburgh's offense is electric and with Ben Rothlisberger at the helm, the passing game is more dangerous than a night out with Aquib Talib. Conversely, with a healthy Doctson, the Steelers don't really have a sure-fire way to shut down the Redskins passing game.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly and The Redskins
The NFC East, as a division, provides a chaotic allure where each team teeters on the edge of glory and disaster. Nowhere else in pro football is "any given Sunday" as brutally accurate as the division that's produced a different winner every year since 2004.
Where there is parity, there is rivalry and the allure of the NFC East is that this rivalry creates a hatred of a scale unseen anywhere else in American pro sports.
Entering the season, the Washington Redskins, led by part-time gunslinger, part time Tommy Bahama enthusiast Kirk Cousins, are the consensus favorite to win the division as the incumbent champions. Recent history is not on the side of the Redskins, as it usually isn't, seeing as during their last stint as defending division champs in 2013 they finished an abysmal 3-13 and last in the division. But unlike their 2013 predecessors, the 2016 Redskins have a healthy Quarterback and hope. Their offense is highlighted by a strong receiving corps featuring Jamison Crowder, DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, rookie first-round pick Josh Doctson and tight end Jordan Reed. The running game looks promising, yet unproven as 2015 sensation Matt Jones is set as the first back, assuming he is back from his sprained shoulder in time for the season opener.
The big story coming out of the offseason continues to be free agent pickup Josh Norman, who is expected to improve on the league's 8th worst pass defense in 2015. The All-Pro had a shaky start to camp, getting burned in drills by veteran Pierre Garcon, but has shown improvement and a return to form. The ultimate goal of signing Norman was not only to improve pass defense, but to allow some of the leadership pressure to be taken off of veteran safety DeAngelo Hall. With any luck, Norman will be able to use this transitional season to solidify himself not only as Washington's superstar, but a leader too.
What makes this upcoming season promising for the Redskins is that more than ever the division is theirs for the taking. Tony Romo is hurt again, leaving the Cowboys looking between newly signed Mark Sanchez and rookie Dak Prescott. The Eagles are in a similar situation, dealing last year's starter, Sam Bradford, to the Vikings, showing that the team has thrown their support behind unproven FBS legend Carson Wentz. The Giants, while having quarterback stability with boy-band aficionado Eli Manning, are dealing with transition after their coach of 12 seasons, Tom Coughlin stepped down. While his replacement, former Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo knows the system, it is unlikely that success will follow a 6-10 team going through a coaching change.
Where there is parity, there is rivalry and the allure of the NFC East is that this rivalry creates a hatred of a scale unseen anywhere else in American pro sports.
Entering the season, the Washington Redskins, led by part-time gunslinger, part time Tommy Bahama enthusiast Kirk Cousins, are the consensus favorite to win the division as the incumbent champions. Recent history is not on the side of the Redskins, as it usually isn't, seeing as during their last stint as defending division champs in 2013 they finished an abysmal 3-13 and last in the division. But unlike their 2013 predecessors, the 2016 Redskins have a healthy Quarterback and hope. Their offense is highlighted by a strong receiving corps featuring Jamison Crowder, DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, rookie first-round pick Josh Doctson and tight end Jordan Reed. The running game looks promising, yet unproven as 2015 sensation Matt Jones is set as the first back, assuming he is back from his sprained shoulder in time for the season opener.
The big story coming out of the offseason continues to be free agent pickup Josh Norman, who is expected to improve on the league's 8th worst pass defense in 2015. The All-Pro had a shaky start to camp, getting burned in drills by veteran Pierre Garcon, but has shown improvement and a return to form. The ultimate goal of signing Norman was not only to improve pass defense, but to allow some of the leadership pressure to be taken off of veteran safety DeAngelo Hall. With any luck, Norman will be able to use this transitional season to solidify himself not only as Washington's superstar, but a leader too.
What makes this upcoming season promising for the Redskins is that more than ever the division is theirs for the taking. Tony Romo is hurt again, leaving the Cowboys looking between newly signed Mark Sanchez and rookie Dak Prescott. The Eagles are in a similar situation, dealing last year's starter, Sam Bradford, to the Vikings, showing that the team has thrown their support behind unproven FBS legend Carson Wentz. The Giants, while having quarterback stability with boy-band aficionado Eli Manning, are dealing with transition after their coach of 12 seasons, Tom Coughlin stepped down. While his replacement, former Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo knows the system, it is unlikely that success will follow a 6-10 team going through a coaching change.
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