Redskins Halftime Takeaways: Play in the trenches must improve

When the Redskins win in the trenches, they win. When they don’t, it gets tough.

The Washington Redskins came into the game flying high with a record of 5-2, succeeding on the back of an unorthodox running game and stout defensive play.

We knew it wasn’t an entirely sustainable solution to the league’s influx of offensive prowess. We just didn’t know how quickly the Redskins would be reminded of such a fact.

Today, the Falcons have thus far provided a painful reminder, as they lead by a score of 21-7 through the first two quarters. It hasn’t just been Matt Ryan either; the two-headed rushing attack of Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith gashed the Redskins’ run defense, finding the end zone in the second quarter.

The Falcons’ offense has drastically outgunned Washington’s offense, and it begins and ends in the trenches. Washington’s vaunted defensive line has been surprisingly underwhelming against a Falcons line that’s missing two starting guards, and the offensive line, without Trent Williams, started off on a very bad note.

So can Washington come back in the second half? Yes, but things need to change. Alex Smith needs to keep the edge he showed on the Redskins’ touchdown drive, a drive that could have been his best yet as a member of the Redskins. The defense needs to maintain their edge and capitalize on pressure generated. Ryan Kerrigan did this late in the half, but more is needed from the interior linemen, who have been outmatched in two quarters.

This game feels eerily similar to the Saints game. If Washington doesn’t keep their foot on the gas pedal and shore up the defense on third down, it could get away from them quickly. The Falcons start the second half with the ball, so it is imperative that the players in the trenches prime themselves for a very important thirty minutes.