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Redskins Halftime Takeaways: Defense shines in low-scoring affair

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 25: A general view of FedExField in the fourth quarter of a game between the Washington Redskins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 25, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 25: A general view of FedExField in the fourth quarter of a game between the Washington Redskins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 25, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 10: Linebacker Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles running back Matt Jones #31 of the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 10: Linebacker Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles running back Matt Jones #31 of the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The Bad

The Redskins came into Thursday’s matchup looking for a possible replacement for Phil Taylor at nose tackle. So far, we’ve yet to see any candidates push their agenda. Both players occasionally had good penetration, but neither was consistent from the interior, and both were playing against subpar competition. It’s looking more and more likely that the Redskins will go with Ziggy Hood or Stacy McGee as their 3-4 nose tackle.

Penalties killed another drive for the Redskins in the first half. Vinston Painter had a yellow flag thrown his way, negating a first down and setting up a field goal. The yards weren’t lost as often as they have been this preseason, but sloppy execution continues to pervade into the Redskins’ play. A holding penalty by Arie Kouandjio also took back a touchdown run by Matt Jones. The troubling part is that it’s not rookies making these mistakes. It’s players who’ve been here for quite a while.

Matt Jones had a decent first half, showing the same quickness and strength on multiple runs. He had a touchdown run called back due to a previously mentioned penalty. But the reason Jones resides on this slide is because he likely didn’t do enough to increase his trade value. Jones’ play has been monotone all preseason, and on cut day, the Redskins will likely be forced to cut ties with their former third-round pick, without garnering any compensation.

Dustin Hopkins’ inconsistent self returned in the first half. The embattled kicker made a 53-yard try early in the half, only to come back and miss a shorter attempt in the second quarter, leaving the Redskins scoreless after a long drive. Hopkins needs to rinse and repeat. He’s very unpredictable kicking the football, and at some point, it’s make it or break it for him.

Next: Redskins Live Game Blog: Preseason Week 4

The Redskins had a decent half all around, and the score remains 3-0. Be sure to keep following our Redskins Live Game Blog to keep up with all of the action. Don’t leave your chair just yet! There’s plenty of football yet to be played in Tampa Bay.

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