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Redskins: Studs and duds from the team’s Week 3 victory in Atlanta

By Ian Cummings

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 22: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is sacked by linebacker Montez Sweat #90 of the Washington Redskins and Ryan Anderson #52 in the first half of an NFL preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 22: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is sacked by linebacker Montez Sweat #90 of the Washington Redskins and Ryan Anderson #52 in the first half of an NFL preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 22: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins prays prior to the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 22: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins prays prior to the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Dud: The Quarterback Battle

Week 3 was expected to be the week where we figured out who exactly was going to start the season as the Redskins’ first-string quarterback. Some wanted Washington to give Dwayne Haskins a chance to compete for the job, after his standout Week 2 performance, but five drives and six points with the starters came and went, and Case Keenum was the only quarterback to step on the field.

It’s important to note that Case Keenum did not “win” the quarterback battle. He was given the starting position by default. Both quarterbacks were a bit inconsistent and unspectacular in Week 3, and while Haskins again showed that upside that’s been so apparent, not enough was done to change the pecking order. And when nothing changes, the order stays the same.

Debates have been had about whether or not Haskins should start, but Haskins can benefit from both playing on the field and sitting on the bench. He’d been developing well with on-field reps in preseason, but he has a solid support system, and easing him in is a safer option, albeit with less potential returns early on. There’s no tried-and-true method of development; some quarterbacks respond better to reps. Others need to sit to unlock their potential. Haskins showed growth when given reps. But rookies can benefit from both, and with any luck, that’ll be the case with Haskins.

Keenum will be the starter Week 1. But after that, the image is less clear. Keenum did just enough to maintain the starting role, but he was still inconsistent moving the football with the first-team offense. In preseason, that’s okay, but it won’t fly in the regular season, when Jay Gruden is coaching for his job, and when Keenum has a first-round pick biting at his heels.

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Keenum’s margin for error will be thin in the 2019 regular season, and if he can’t elevate the offense in the first few games, then the Haskins era will commence. Keenum can be a solid spot-starter with a good supporting cast, but he’s not playing with the 2017 Vikings this year. The 2019 Redskins, while they have potential, are not a playoff squad, and with anything less than that, Keenum is just a bridge. Sooner or later, the team will reach the other side of that bridge.

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