Redskins Recap: Team likely blows season with blown lead late

The Redskins were up 31-16 with three minutes to play. So, naturally, they lost.

I don’t even really know what to say. It was a roller coaster ride, to say the least. In fact, this game was a microcosm of the Redskins’ season. They’re good enough to win against good teams like the Saints. But when it’s all said and done, they just can’t do it consistently. It’s impossible to put into words what happened. Everything went the Saints’ way from three minutes out to the final overtime whistle.

We shouldn’t let the outcome sallow the process, but in the National Football League, that’s going to happen. The Redskins played a good game that could have been better. Kirk Cousins was sharp for the entire outing, and a key pass to start the overtime period was dropped, setting the tone for the rest of the drive. The running game was superb. Samaje Perine was the Redskins’ first 100-yard rusher since the Packers’ game last year. But in the end, Sean Payton and Drew Brees simply weren’t to be beaten.

There’s plenty of blame to go around in this one, but the fact of the matter is this. It was a culmination of bad plays by the entire team that led to a heartbreaking loss. Jay Gruden called too predictable of a play on third and short to give the Saints another chance. Kirk Cousins lost communication with Jamison Crowder and was called for intentional grounding, losing field goal range. And then the drops came. The drive-killing drops. The Redskins competed as a team today. And they lost as a team, too.

So what does this mean for the rest of the season? Well, it means that, to make the playoffs, the Redskins have to win out. No exceptions. They showed today that while they’re entirely capable of doing that, they’re also prone to shooting themselves in the foot when they can’t afford to. There’s a lot to learn from this game, and this season, for the Redskins. But contention is slipping from their grasp, if it hasn’t already.

Next: Redskins Halftime Takeaways: Offense is playing with freedom

The Redskins won’t have much time to lament the loss. They play the Giants, who just beat the Kansas City Chiefs, on Thursday next week. They’ll have to play a complete, four-quarter game in that one. To make up for this utter disaster. They have time to improve and finish the season strong. But a run for the playoffs might be too ambitious of a dream.