Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins Live Game Blog: Preseason Week 3 vs. Bengals

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen on the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 21, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen on the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 21, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Washington Redskins and the Cincinnati Bengals are getting ready to square off in their Week 3 preseason battle. Follow along with all the action here!

The Washington Redskins need to have a good performance in the third week of the preseason. There’s no doubt about it. The team has struggled on the offensive side of the ball through two preseason games so far, and they need to make sure that they improve moving forward. Against the Bengals, they will have a chance to do that.

The Bengals have had similar struggles to the Redskins in the preseason, as their offense didn’t perform particularly well in Week 2 of the preseason. Andy Dalton is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro, and the team will need to see better performance out of him in order to have confidence in the veteran.

In the third preseason game, the two teams are going to fight hard for a chance to win. They really need to momentum boost and to see a good game out of their starters. The Redskins top unit could play into the second half, and that should help the team have a chance to gain momentum heading towards the regular season.

There’s no guarantees that the Redskins will win, but they really will have a good chance. They are going to get a long look at their starters before resting them in Week 4 of the preseason. While the Bengals will also give their starters significant run, Marvin Lewis may be more willing to pull his starters early. It will be interesting to see whose starters are on the field longer.

We here at Riggo’s Rag will have live updates throughout the game. Follow along here and comment what you think about everything that’s going on!

4:00: If you’re looking for a way to watch today’s game, we have you covered. Check out our how to watch and game preview!

4:11: Junior Galette is getting ready to play for the first time in a long while. He’s getting pumped up to do so.

4:14: We have a pregame poll up on Twitter. It has to do with the two quarterbacks facing off in today’s contest. Make sure to go vote in it!

4:22: The Redskins will receive the ball to start the game. From the start, we’ll get to see what improvements this offense has made in the past week.

4:25: And we’re off! The first kick goes for a touchback, with Matt Hazel returning. The offense comes out onto the field!

4:26: Kirk Cousins starts out the day with a short completion to Niles Paul. 2nd and 5. Robert Kelley goes for three on his first carry. A workmanlike start for the Redskins.

4:27: Robert Kelley trucked forward for a first down on third and two, but the play was negated by yet another penalty. Those yellow flags have killed the Redskins offense this preseason.

4:32: The Redskins offense starts their game with another ugly three-and-out. The defense is now on the field. They’ll attempt to slow up a Bengals offense with a lot of young promise.

4:34: The Redskins’ run defense starts out with two nice stops. But Phil Taylor is down, and his leg is drawing concern from the trainers. He walked off with a little help.

4:36: The Bengals convert on 3rd and 13 by going to A.J. Green. He made Josh Norman look silly with a quick cut. First down, Bengals.

4:41: Josh Norman misses a tackle and the Bengals are now in the red zone.

4:42: On second down, Bashaud Breeland made a very nice tackle, stopping Jeremy Hill for a one yard loss. We need to see more of that.

4:44: The Bengals are the first to get on the board. Jeremy Hill capped off a long drive with a touchdown dive. Fifteen plays, nine minutes. The score is now 7-0, Bengals.

More from Riggo's Rag

4:47: Matt Hazel and Zach Pascal are back to return. Both have potential as return men, and it’s interesting to see them out there this early in the game.

4:51: Another third down is imminent for the Redskins. Cousins, from the shotgun, is taken down again, and penalized for intentional grounding. Another three and out.

4:53: The Redskins’ offense was the reason this team had a winning record last year. The unit looks very different this year, despite no turnover at quarterback, running back, or on the line.

4:55: The Redskins are keeping Phil Taylor out for now with a quad contusion. No word yet on if the injury is serious.

4:56: The handoff from Dalton to Mixon goes haywire, and A.J. Francis recovers! The Redskins now have the ball in favorable field position.

4:58: Another short completion to start the drive for Cousins. Jordan Reed makes the catch, shows physicality. Good play. Second down on the 26.

4:59: Cousins followed up a first down completion with a mid-range pass that was way off-target. And on third down, he was sacked after Trent Williams let a man get through. A very rough start for the Redskins.

5:00: Points on the board! Dustin Hopkins converts on a nice 51-yard field goal. When the offense and the defense look bad, look to the special teams unit for something to cheer you up!

5:03: At the end of the first quarter, the score in 7-3. The Redskins have played very badly in most aspects of the game. The run defense looks formidable, but the offense can’t move, and the defense can’t defend. There’s plenty of room for improvement.

5:07: The defense forces a three-and-out and the offense will come back onto the field. All eyes are on Kirk Cousins, who’s looked very timid to start.

5:09: The read option strikes again! First down Redskins! A very good play call for Jay Gruden.

5:11: Kirk Cousins tried to force a throw to Chris Thompson, and paid the price for it. The result is a pick six for the Bengals. The ugliest play yet for Kirk Cousins, which is saying something.

5:16: Kirk Cousins hasn’t been good, but his offensive line hasn’t done him any favors. Cousins has faced pressure on half of his drop backs.

5:19: The offense is starting to drive down the field. It’s a bit late, but we’re finally starting to see more chemistry on all levels of the offense.

5:22: Redskins in scoring territory. Down by 11. It’s time to get a touchdown on the board. That would be a huge statement for this offense.

5:25: Touchdown, Redskins! Robert Kelley takes it in for a two yard touchdown! He showed physicality on that run, punching in for the score! 5:10 left in the half. 14-10 is the score.

5:30: Bashaud Breeland continues to stay in the play, no matter the situation. If nothing else, he’s showing a lot of energy this afternoon.

5:33: Chris Thompson with a gain of 27 on the screen! The Redskins are moving the ball after forcing the Bengals offense to a three and out!

Halftime takeaways: Redskins offense struggles early, inciting worry among observers

5:34: Niles Paul is a valuable receiving threat, special teamer, and a leader, but he can also function as a decent full back. He’s shown that on a couple plays today.

5:36: Kirk Cousins has played with the snap count before in his career, and it just paid off there. Carl Lawson was provoked by Cousins’ cadence, and the encroachment penalty results in a first down for the Redskins.

5:39: Chris Thompson, on second down, had an amazing second effort, bursting forward for a first down. The Redskins are nearing the red zone with under a minute and a half to go in the second quarter.

5:41: There’s been a considerable amount of screens today for the Redskins offense. Perhaps this is Jay Gruden trying to get Cousins into a rhythm. He hasn’t let it rip very often.

5:42: Cousins goes to Reed in the end zone, and the pass is (you guessed it) long. Field goal unit will try for a 44-yard attempt on fourth down.

5:45: Hopkins missed a 39-yarder, but it was negated due to a false start. He then came back and made a 44-yard attempt on the next play. That’s Hopkins for you. 14-13 is the score, with just under a minute to go in the half.

5:47: Kirk Cousins is a very calculated player, but he’s shown no inclination to improvise when things go south. He needs to get better at that before the season starts.

5:52: Need something to read during halftime? Our first half takeaways are up. Check them out here!

6:02: The second half is about to commence. The Bengals will receive the ball to start off third quarter action.

6:05: A.J. McCarron is in for the Bengals, along with many more second teamers. The Bengals starters appear to be done. The Redskins have many reserves out on defense as well.

6:07: McCarron with a first down, thanks in part to botched coverage by Montae Nicholson and Stefan McClure. On the bright side, Fabian Moreau had John Ross blanketed.

6:09: Great defensive play by the Redskins! Martrell Spaight reached McCarron, forcing him to let the ball loose. The pass was caught, but the receiver was stuffed by Montae Nicholson and Fabian Moreau. The Bengals convert a field goal. 17-13 is the score.

6:13: The Redskins first team offense is still on the field. They start out the second half with a check down dropped by Jamison Crowder.

6:15: Cousins checks down again on third down, and the play goes for nine yards. The unit goes three and out to start the half.

6:18: That last three and out was against the Bengals’ reserves. The offense is showing very troubling inconsistency. And baffling ineptitude.

6:22: Starters are done after that three and out. Colt McCoy is on the field. The first team offense ends on a sour note, but maybe that’s what they need to do if they want to improve.

6:26: McCoy is hit in the pocket, and he loses the football. It’s recovered by the Bengals. First and ten on the Redskins 31 yard line.

More from Riggo's Rag

6:27: Fabian Moreau made a very impressive deflection against a potential touchdown pass on first down. He’s played well all preseason.

6:29: Quinton Dunbar nearly had a pick six of his own on that play, jumping the route and making the deflection. Fourth down, and the Bengals miss that field goal.

6:32: Colt McCoy had a nice first down pass to Brian Quick, and Mack Brown followed it up with a physical eight yard run. The reserves are moving nicely.

6:34: The Redskins went for it on fourth and two, and the play ends up going for a loss of three. The offensive linemen, both starters and reserves, have been harassed today by the Bengals.

6:35: An eye for an eye! Shortly after the Redskins’ turnover on downs, Martrell Spaight barreled into the backfield, stopping the Bengals for a two yard loss. He’s shown growth as a solid run stopper.

6:36: And on third down, Joshua Holsey gets the sack, blitzing from the slot! Holsey never hesitated, and his speed finished the play. He continues to impress.

6:36: Zach Pascal blocks the punt on fourth down, and the play is downed behind the line of scrimmage. A very strong segment for the Redskins just occurred. First and ten on the Bengals’ 27.

6:39: At the end of the third quarter, the score is 17-13. The Redskins are in the red zone, knocking on the door, thanks to an infusion of energy from their young players. Can they take the lead? Keep following to find out.

6:42: Touchdown, Redskins! Colt McCoy finds Derek Carrier in the flat, and the Redskins take the lead! Carrier had a nice move on the linebacker, furthering his case for a look on the final roster. If he’s the odd man out, he’ll certainly get a look elsewhere.

6:47: On 2nd and 7, McCarron completes a nice rollout pass for a first down. Tevin Homer had a nice open field tackle. Time will tell whether he’s impressed the coaches enough to earn a spot on the practice squad.

6:50: While the reserve linebackers have shown promise in run defense, coverage is an issue. Too often, the middle of the field is a window for big gains.

6:52: Fish Smithson had a beautiful pick in the red zone on 3rd and 5, returning it back across the fifty. He read the play perfectly and converted the turnover into a big gain. Redskins now have the ball in enemy territory!

6:56: As you can imagine, Twitter is having a heyday with Fish’s name!

6:58: On 3rd and 13, Colt McCoy finds Matt Hazel for a first down. The offense continues to move the ball efficiently.

6:59: Another beautiful connection between McCoy and Hazel. The Redskins now have the ball on the goal line.

7:01: Matt Jones now getting carries on the goal line. His roster chances are all but gone, but he continues to get reps.

7:05: Brian Quick was close to having an amazing catch in the end zone. He stuttered his feet to stay in bounds, but his focus strayed from the football and he dropped it. The Redskins settle for a field goal. The score is now 23-17, halfway through the 4th.

7:10: Jeff Driskel is in at quarterback for the Bengals. Three and a half minutes to go.

7:11: And just like that, Driskel completes a long one against Tevin Homer. Bengals need a score to take the lead.

7:15: We’ve hit the two minute warning, and the Bengals offense has a first and goal. A touchdown and a PAT would give them the lead.

7:16: Jeremiah McKinnon called for pass inference in the end zone, but his penalty is offset by an offensive pass interference penalty. 2nd and goal.

7:17: Will Blackmon perfectly executed a safety blitz for a sack. Driskel stopped and realized his impending doom for only a moment before Blackmon took him down. Third and goal now.

7:19: On fourth and goal, Driskel threw a fade to the corner, and it was broken up by Jeremiah McKinnon. The Redskins have the ball, and it appears they’ll get their first win of the preseason.

7:20: Colt McCoy takes a knee and the Redskins win, 23-17!

Next: Redskins Recap: Rookies shine against the jungle cats

That concludes our Redskins Live Game Blog. Take a look at our Redskins Recap, as we’ll break down the details of the game. Thanks for following along, and as always, HTTR!

Home/Commanders News