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Redskins Reality Checks: Recaping the bizarre win over Tampa Bay

By Tim Payne

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)
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) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 21: Ryan Kerrigan #91 and Jonathan Allen #93 of the Washington Redskins react after a missed field goal by the Dallas Cowboys as time expired in the game at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 20-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 21: Ryan Kerrigan #91 and Jonathan Allen #93 of the Washington Redskins react after a missed field goal by the Dallas Cowboys as time expired in the game at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 20-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

5. The Reality Is, the Redskins’ defense has something to prove.

Coming into this game, the Redskins had faced four competent passing attacks this season. They got beat by the Colts. The Packers had a gimpy Aaron Rodgers and a case of the dropsies. The Saints and Falcons hung 81 combined points on them. The Redskins’ defense needed to prove they could actually guard and limit a competent passing attack.

I said I’d be watching to see if Dunbar played, if Johnson got playing time over Stroman, if Clinton-Dix looked more comfortable and fluid in the offense, if Norman followed Mike Evans, and if the pass rush could get back to consistent pressure and collapsing the pocket. I predicted the Redskins would try something dramatically different in covering crossing routes this week and it would work much better. I also thought Swearinger and Clinton-Dix would each force a turnover and either a rookie or Norman would get beat for a long TD by DeSean Jackson.

Reality Check: Dunny didn’t play, so they went extremely conservative in the secondary, just basically playing prevent defense the whole game. It was an odd strategy, but one that ultimately worked. Norman did follow Mike Evans much of the game and came up with a huge pick on the first drive. Clinton-Dix looked much more comfortable, playing every defensive snap and alertly recovering the moon-shot fumble.

Johnson started over Stroman, but it was Stroman who was more effective once Johnson got pulled for playing too soft. The secondary responded to last week’s debacle against Atlanta with a better plan and better execution against Tampa Bay. Giving up zero TD’s to that offense is a major accomplishment and a big step forward for this secondary. Doing so while also giving up over 500 yards of offense is both concerning and puzzling.

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