Redskins Reality Checks: Assessing predictions postgame Week 3

3. Reality Is, the game plan and play calling won’t be THAT bad again.

I said I would love to see the defense take the game to Aaron Rodgers with a variety of blitzes and plays his receivers in press coverage. And I’ll be excited if the offense utilizes more jet-sweep and screens, along with the interior passing and running games. I’ll be disappointed if either side of the ball allows the Packers to dictate the flow and feel of the game the way the Colts did.

Pre-game Prediction: The offense will move the ball more effectively and the game will come down to red zone effectiveness. They will mix in more intermediate passing and misdirection plays and will stick with the run more.  The defense will be aggressive and effective early, but largely be too conservative in key spots late and let Rodgers have too much time unhurried and unhit, but will force two turnovers.

Reality Check: The offense was much more creative and aggressive early, the defense kept the pedal to the metal and didn’t just sit back in soft zones, even with the lead. The Redskins were extremely effective offensively in the first half, building a 28 point lead, and never giving the Packers an opportunity to hold the ball with a chance to take the lead.

In the second half, it was the offense that got too conservative, with Jay Gruden calling first down runs on every second-half possession, leading to 13 plays, 22 yards, and four punts on the first four possessions of the second half.  The Redskins have to find a way to put together a complete game, or this game is going to be a rare bright spot this season.