Redskins Reality Checks: Recaping the bizarre win over Tampa Bay

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins catches an interception thrown by Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

The Redskins pulled off one of the oddest wins in NFL history on Sunday. The game went both unexpectedly and exactly as expected.

It was a game out of a different dimension. The Redskins were out there dodging bullets like Neo in The Matrix. The Buccaneers dominated on offense and put up their best defensive effort of the year. The Buccaneers also self-destructed on a consistent basis. The Redskins got a consistent and productive game out of Alex Smith and Adrian Peterson, but still only managed to mount three legitimate drives. Greg Stroman and Ryan Anderson came up with two of the biggest plays of the game. The Redskins forced four turnovers, yet only generated 16 total points.

Regardless of what angle you look from, this game was bizarre. So what is the reality for the Redskins after they moved to 6-3 with the win on Sunday? Let’s take a look back at our Week 10 Reality Checks and Predictions.

1. The Reality Is, the Redskins’ offense has been disappointing this season.

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This week, I was looking for signs of creativity and innovativeness. I was looking for Gruden, Cavanaugh, O’Connell and Callahan to scheme up some ways to take pressure off the patchwork offensive line and move the chains. While the offensive line injuries were a valid and significant hurdle this week, it’s times like these when good coaches earn their stripes. I thought the offensive line would hold up admirably, the Redskins would run the ball effectively, and the passing attack would include a lot more boot and sweep action. I expect said I expected 400 yards of total office relatively evenly split between the first and second half.

Reality Check: The O-line get’s a game ball from me. They played great. The play calling seemed to still lack some creativity, though. However, if it hadn’t been for one drop by Michael Floyd at the end of the first half, one over-throw by Alex Smith to Vernon Davis in the fourth quarter, and the worst holding penalty ever called on Morgan Moses in the red zone, the Redskins’ offense would have put up about 400 yards and 20 points. While it would have been great to put up more points against a much-maligned Tampa Bay defense, the game situation called for a more methodical approach.

2. The Reality Is, Alex Smith is coming off his best overall game of the season.

I was looking for Alex Smith to need to build on the progress he had made in Atlanta and to pick up some slack for the new offensive linemen if the Redskins were to have any chance of scoring enough to beat the Buccaneers. I predicted this would be Smith’s best game of the season. He knows how important this win could be for the team to make it to the playoffs.

Reality Check: Alex had his best throw as a Redskin, with the dart to Doctson in the back of the end zone. He also had one of his best statistical games. He didn’t throw for a lot of yards, but he pieced scoring drives together in key spots. Missing Vernon Davis took this game from being his best as a Redskin to just one of this top three. Those are the plays he has to make if the Redskins are going to get to the playoffs and have a chance to win a playoff game.

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