Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins Reality Checks Week 12: Thanksgiving Day matchup provides Redskins unique opportunity

By Tim Payne

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Reality Is, Colt McCoy may be the best-prepared backup QB in the NFL.

Colt has legendary study habits, four-plus years under his belt in Jay Gruden’s system, and valuable past experience having played well for the Redskins in Dallas twice before. His teammates have communicated a significant amount of confidence in Colt’s ability to lead the team in place of injured starter, Alex Smith.

This confidence seems to be genuine, and not just the standard “next man up” language common in these situations. You can see it in their faces and hear it in their voices: they all think Colt can come in and lead them to the playoffs down the stretch. And based on the small sample size we saw on Sunday, it appears he has a strong rapport with Jordan Reed and Josh Doctson. Combine that with the emergence of Trey Quinn, and Colt is set up for an opportunity to make some noise in this offense.

I’ll be watching to see if Colt looks rushed or calm early on. I’ll be watching to see if he checks out of run plays too early and often. I’ll be watching to see if he realizes this team’s best strategy is not to try to win a shootout, but to dominate field position and time of possession.

Prediction: This game will verify the assumptions of many Redskins fans: with Colt, the Redskins’ offense has a higher ceiling and a lower floor. There will be ups and downs. The offense will move with more pace and more explosiveness than in recent weeks, but will also experience a higher percentage of negative plays. Colt’s line will look something like this: 28-of-38 for 280 yards, two TDs, one pick, four sacks, and 45 yards rushing.

Home/Commanders News