Redskins Halftime Takeaways: Team persists amid issues, injuries
By Ian Cummings
For the Redskins this season, it’s been fairly black and white: If they’re down, they lose. If they’re up, they at least have a shot.
Taking those truths into account, the fact that the Washington Redskins maintained a semblance of control early on bodes well for their chances in the second half. But, as the NFL has taught us on multiple occasions (most recently the appearance of Mark Sanchez in this game), anything can happen.
That said, while the NFL is an unpredictable league, on a broad scale, the Redskins showcased many of the same faults that rendered them limited for much of the season in the first half. Under the lights, this team has seldom given hope to fans. In tonight’s game, there have been some invigorating moments, but it’s hard to get excited when Mark Sanchez might be starting the rest of the game.
On offense, Jay Gruden had no qualms putting his players in tough situations; on more than one occasion, they found themselves in second or third and long, and they ‘took the L’ more than once, as the kids would say nowadays.
On defense, tackling was again an issue, as was coverage, and there were several penalties that wound up hurting the team’s position. Too often, the 2018 Redskins get in their own way, and that’s something they’ll have to fix if they want to make the playoffs.
Despite the issues, however, the Redskins are still in this game, and they’ve shown glimpses of brilliance. Adrian Peterson‘s 90-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career, and to Gruden’s credit, the offense showed signs of life with Sanchez at the helm (although O’Connell may have called some plays). The defense got more than one key stop on third down, and a huge fourth and goal stop late in the half. Dustin Hopkins was two for two, and Tress Way is still the king of punters.
dark. Next. Redskins 15 best first-round picks of all time
Call them little victories, but the Redskins have had sparks. Now, they just need to tie those sparks together and maintain a winning product. It will take effort, but Washington showed us in the first half, that while they have irreconcilable flaws, all is not lost. Not yet. They trail by one at the half, and there’s plenty of football left.