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Redskins vs. Titans: Five takeaways from Saturday’s loss

By Ian Cummings

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: Josh Johnson #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: Josh Johnson #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Blaine Gabbert #7 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass against the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Blaine Gabbert #7 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass against the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

No. 5 – The Redskins defense needs just as much help as the offense

Blaine Gabbert killed the Redskins season. Yes, they were limping long before their prime time matchup with the Titans. But Blaine Gabbert killed the Redskins season.

If that doesn’t scream “mediocre defense”, I’m not sure what does.

It’s important to acknowledge that Washington’s offense wasn’t as inept as usual late in the game. Adrian Peterson was hot, Josh Johnson was poised and collected in the pocket, and we saw glimpses of former glory from skill players like Chris Thompson and Jamison Crowder. Up until the very end of the game, the Redskins offense was surprisingly competent. It was the defense that couldn’t hold up its end of the bargain, namely the secondary.

Must Read. Washington Redskins top 30 players in franchise history. light

That’s been a common theme all season, in fact; Torrian Gray’s secondary occasionally comes up with big plays (more often in the first half of the season), but bending and breaking has been too common a fate for the self-proclaimed Flight Marshals. Against the Titans, this was as evident as it’s ever been. The Redskins defensive backs simply couldn’t cover.

Getting Quinton Dunbar back next season will help, but Josh Norman is only getting older and less efficient, Fabian Moreau hasn’t visibly developed, and D.J. Swearinger will need a new running mate at safety once again, as Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has done nothing to earn a new contract. The linebacking core needs a coverage overhaul as well. Versatility is seriously lacking, and it’s the reason Washington’s defense was never anything more than a flash in the pan. The offense will get all the offseason attention, but make no mistake: The defense needs quite a bit of fine tuning as well.

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