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Redskins: Studs and duds from the team’s Preseason Week 2 loss to the Bengals

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 15: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins scrambles against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 15: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins scrambles against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 16: Dustin Hopkins #3 of the Washington Redskins attempts the winning field goal during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 16: Dustin Hopkins #3 of the Washington Redskins attempts the winning field goal during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Duds: Special Teams

One loss that the Redskins suffered this offseason that wasn’t talked about much: special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica. Last season under Kotwica, the Redskins special teams were really solid, as Dustin Hopkins and Tress Way had career years. This year, they look significantly worse.

Way is still strong, but Hopkins struggled on Thursday. He missed two of his three kicks in the contest including a 50-yard field goal that he completely shanked. He drove it low and didn’t get any distance on it as a result. He also missed an extra point, but that was related more to the poor snap from Nick Sundberg. And it’s never a good thing when a long snapper is noticed.

Additionally, the unit gave up their second punt return touchdown in as many weeks. Making matters worse, one of the Redskins who could have made a play ran into reserve running back Shaun Wilson and injured Wilson on the play. He had to be carted off the sideline while the ‘Skins went down by 10 points. It was a classic case of adding insult to injury.

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The Redskins are going to have to hope that Nate Kaczor can turn this unit around in the coming weeks. But for the time being, it appears that the special teams are an issue. And that’s something that could become a major difference-maker for the team. And not in a good way.

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