Foundational failures cripple the Redskins in loss to Colts

The home opener for the 2018 Redskins was a painful reminder that an ugly trend of inconsistency continues.

It was late in the second half of Sunday’s game in FedEx Field when the sound of boos began to fill the Landover air. The seemingly half-full stadium was speckled with blue, and following a Week 1 masterpiece win in Arizona, things just didn’t feel right.

The sound of the Redskins public address announcer appeared to be the only loud voice on behalf of the Redskins. It was a game that gave no one in D.C. a reason to cheer.

It was the first time I had ever heard myself thinking, “Am I really getting shouted at by a Colts fan?” There is a new one for you.

Sunday’s game against the Colt’s was more than just a tough loss. It was a complete and utter foundational failure, from start to finish.

The Colts ran out from the locker room with energy and desperation, and the Redskins seemed to forget what they were even there to do. Simple foundations of football seemed to be forgotten. The offensive line was having trouble containing a rather mediocre pass rush for Indianapolis, who aggressively introduced themselves to Alex Smith in the form of three sacks.

Receivers seemingly found no separation on the outside, and the offense subjected FedEx Field to a four-quarter game of check-down football. That is when the wheels on the Redskins offensive wagon began to quickly come apart.

The two biggest concerns that left Redskins fans uneasy after the season-opening victory was the lack of internal pass rush, and the inability to air the ball downfield. These were two of the biggest reasons for the team’s ugly collapse against Indianapolis.

The stat lines for the Redskins loss to the Colts was hard to unsee. Alex Smith and the Redskins offense went just 5-of-15 on third downs, which in the NFL, is the base ingredient for losing. On the ground, the Redskins couldn’t make anything work. In fact, their leading rusher was Jamison Crowder, their slot receiver.

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No, that was not a typo. Their slot receiver was their leading rusher, and for most of the game, their third-down back was their lead receiver. Chris Thompson had 13 receptions by the time the game ended. While Josh Doctson showed occasional flashes, another Sunday passes and he has yet to take a game into his own hands. He success is crucial to the Redskins offensive flow, especially in games like today, when opposing teams force them to move the ball through the air.

Defensively, it was hard to believe that you were watching the same team who shut down David Johnson seven days ago. The young tandem of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen were nowhere to be found. Even without the services of left tackle Anthony Castonzo, there was no sight of Ryan Kerrigan and his “Stone Cold Steve Austin” sack celebration. The ‘Skins gave up 104 rushing yards on the ground and allowed Andrew Luck and the Colts to dictate the pace of the game from beginning to end

The only highlight the Redskins could find was wearing the number 36. D.J. Swearinger picked Andrew Luck off twice and gave the Redskins their only real chance of being in the game. He was the only real highlight in burgundy and gold.

By the end of the third quarter, those who filled FedEx Field seemed half angry, and half purely checked out. The majority of voices seemed more interested in the well being of their fantasy football team than the game that was playing out in front of them.

As I was sitting there, staring at the jumbotron, pondering what exactly to think, I looked to the Redskins fan beside me and said, “I feel like I have felt this before.” He looked up from his phone, and slowly shaking his head, he said, “We have felt it one too many times.” What feeling is that you may ask?

The feeling of disappointment, when the ‘Skins never play up to the standards they are capable of. Regardless of what direction the season takes, the Redskins will look back on Week 2 as a missed opportunity. A fully healthy roster, and the chance to take full control of the NFC East.

Next. 3 duds from Redskins Week 2 loss to Colts. dark

The Redskins by no means are as bad as they performed against the Colts. They also aren’t as dominant as they played against the Cardinals. Maybe the Colts game is a true reflection of the season as a whole. Maybe it’s the wake-up call that is needed to right what went so wrong. Either way, with Aaron Rodgers coming to town next week, Washington will need to find answers to respond.

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