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Postgame Redskins Reality Check for Week 2 vs. Indianapolis

By Tim Payne

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins is sacked by defensive end Jihad Ward #51 of the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at FedExField on September 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins is sacked by defensive end Jihad Ward #51 of the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at FedExField on September 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Fans look on in the fourth quarter of the game between the Washington Redskins and the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Fans look on in the fourth quarter of the game between the Washington Redskins and the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

That familiar sinking feeling after a Redskins home loss is back. While the emotions are riding high, it’s time to look back at our Redskins Reality Checks for Week 2.

1. Reality is, the Redskins secondary didn’t get tested much in Arizona.

I said I would be ecstatic if they played similarly against Andrew Luck as they did against Bradford and I would be disappointed if they get torched and let Luck have a similar day to what he had last week.

Pre-Game Prediction: Norman gives up at least one big play, Dunbar and Moreau remain solid, Swearinger gets one personal foul, Montae makes one painful mistake, and Luck ends up with 300-plus yards passing, three TDs and one interception.

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Reality Check: Norman gave up two big plays on the Colts’ first two drives, Montae gave up a touchdown on the first drive, and Luck ended up with two TDs and two picks. There were too many key plays where the secondary looked lost, including a long pass interference on Fabian Moreau, the touchdown to Hilton where Dunbar missed his assignment leaving the Colts’ best receiver uncovered. Swearinger gets a game ball for his two picks, but otherwise, the Colts’ passing attack was way too efficient against our secondary.

2. Reality is, the Redskins need more pressure on Andrew Luck than they got on Sam Bradford.

I said I would be ecstatic if Kerrigan and Smith each got two sacks the outside linebackers combined for five while the interior line contributed another one or two, and I would be disappointed with another two-sack performance.

Pre-game Prediction: Kerrigan and Smith have a field day against the underwhelming Colts tackles and end up with four sacks between them while the interior line struggles a bit more against the interior offensive line of Indy. Luck also burns the Redskins with a couple significant scrambles.

Reality Check: The entire defensive front looked inept against the Colts, especially considering the state of the Colts’ banged-up offensive line. Kerrigan and Smith were almost non-existent, and McPhee’s contribution was a key roughing the passer penalty. A single sack and very few hurries makes the pass-rush a major concern moving forward.

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