Redskins Halftime Takeaways: Luck not on Washington’s side
By Ian Cummings
Luck wasn’t on Washington’s side for much of the first half. Striving to start 2-0 in 2018, the Redskins haven’t been able to gain the lead on the Colts.
The Washington Redskins came into Sunday’s game with a high-flying feeling, courtesy of their 24-6 demolishing of the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.
The Redskins win versus the Cardinals was contingent mainly on their running game and their stifling defense; Adrian Peterson was a very effective weapon out of the backfield, and paired with Chris Thompson, he formed a half of a deadly duo. The defense was fast and energetic, shutting out the Cardinals until the final stages of the fourth quarter.
If we could stop the season after that game, we would have.
Halfway through their Week 2 contest, the Redskins have already allowed more than double the points they did last week. The Colts’ offense has moved the ball at will, with Andrew Luck, Marlon Mack, Jordan Wilkins, and T.Y. Hilton all factoring into the equation. Stopping third downs has been particularly troublesome for Washington.
On defense, the Colts have seen everything coming. Peterson, who was untouchable last week, was limited to almost no production in half no. 1, and the Redskins’ offensive drives weren’t long enough to sustain any kind of opportunity. Alex Smith took a couple shots down the field, but his passes are far more sure than his receivers’ own hands. Brandon Scherff also went down with a knee injury early in the half, but he returned after the Colts took a 14-3 lead.
There were seldom bright spots in the first half for Washington. D.J. Swearinger made a leaping interception, Smith found Richardson deep late in the half, and Jamison Crowder opened up the offense’s day with a nice end-around run. But overall, the Redskins need to play much better in the second half. They’re getting dominated in the trenches, out-coached, and they simply don’t look like the same team they were last week. Why? Because they’re trying too many of the same things.
Next. Redskins vs. Colts live game thread. dark
Be sure to go to our game thread (linked above) to share any thoughts you have about the game. With any luck, the Redskins will make the right halftime adjustments, and they’ll find a way to take back the momentum against a vulnerable Colts team. For now, the Redskins trail 14-3. Two quarters remain.