Redskins Reality Checks: Team loses game, Alex Smith, but not hope
By Tim Payne
No. 2 – Reality Is, the Redskins have struggled to stop the run two weeks in a row.
After largely shutting down the likes of David Johnson, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott earlier in the season, the Redskins’ rush defense has struggled the last two weeks to contain Tevin Coleman and Peyton Barber. I was watching to see how the Redskins tackled this week. I was watching to see if they were able to set the edge and force inside runs, and I was watching to see if the Redskins’ defensive line was able to dominate the line of scrimmage. I didn’t think the Texans would rush for more than 90 yards or over four yards per carry.
Reality Check: The Redskins were gashed with outside zone runs again, failing to set a decent edge in the run game. The Texans rushed for over 130 yards on 4.71 yards per carry. This has potential to be a major problem with the Cowboys up next. The Redskins have to find a way to get back to their early season form against the run.