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Redskins Recap: Team has up-and-down performance in close loss to Packers

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 19: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by inside linebacker Jake Ryan #47 of the Green Bay Packers in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 19, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 19: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by inside linebacker Jake Ryan #47 of the Green Bay Packers in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 19, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins needed a bounce back win after their embarrassment in the preseason opener. They weren’t able to get it against the Green Bay Packers, but they definitely improved.

In the first half of the Redskins second preseason game, it looked like their performance remained unchanged. After struggling offensively in the opener, the team scuffled for a majority of the first half. They totaled merely a field goal heading into the two minute drill, and trailed the Packers 14-3. They needed a spark and they got it.

After a touchdown drive to end the first half, the Redskins outgained the Packers in yardage 104 to 5 in the third quarter. The Redskins took a 17-14 lead, but they couldn’t hold on long enough to win, ultimately falling 21-17. The final score properly reflected the team’s peformance. It was an up-and-down performance for most of their players.

Kirk Cousins’ performance, once again, left a lot to be desired. Cousins ended up playing for the entirety of the first half, because the Redskins offense just wasn’t clicking. His performance was definitely part of the problem. Though his numbers look good, 14-for-23 with 144 yards and a touchdown, Cousins was constantly missing his receivers on open plays. One of his worst throws came when he missed a wide open Jamison Crowder in the middle of the field for what would have been a huge gain.

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However, Cousins did bounce back at the end of the half. He completed a 43-yard pass to Vernon Davis, a perfect downfield strike. Then, after a couple of failed attempts to get into the end zone on a poor fade route and a checkdown where he didn’t see a wide open Josh Doctson, Cousins was able to throw a bullet to Crowder for a short touchdown. It was the first of the Redskins preseason, and has to give the first team offense more hope moving forward.

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At running back, Samaje Perine impressed working against the Green Bay backups. Perine didn’t see a single carry in the first half. Rob Kelley worked exclusively with the starters. But still, Perine showed that he does have the ability to make it in the NFL. Perine showed excellent outside running ability and was able to run over several defenders en route to eight carries and 45 yards. He will almost certainly be the No. 2 back behind Kelley, while Chris Thompson (5 catches, 52 yards) will be the main third down/passing back.

A major negative for the Redskins was that their offensive line continued to struggle early. Their unit just wasn’t generating any push at the point of attack, and they were constantly getting stood up by the Packers defenders. This caused the run game to sputter early and Cousins was under pressure a fair amount. This issue is a glaring one that needs to be fixed before the season begins.

Defensively, one of the surprising stars of the game was Chris Carter. The free agent outside linebacker was added in the offseason to little fanfare. He was expected to be a special teams player and a fringe roster candidate. On Saturday night, he showed that he has more ability than some may have thought. Carter was able to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and notched 1.5 sacks during the day. He was a relentless, high motor force on the defensive line, and should get a chance to make the team due to his versatility.

Elsewhere, rookie Jonathan Allen once again had a nice showing. He sniffed out a screen pass along with Matt Ioannidis, and Allen was able to get to the back and drop him for a loss. Allen could have a chance to start for the Redskins quickly, but at the very least, it looks like he will rotate in on passing downs with Stacy McGee coming out on those plays.

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This was a significantly better performance that the Redskins first contest of the 2017 preseason. They should build off the momentum they created in the second half, and that may propel them to some more success in the third preseason contest.

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