Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Three takeaways from Redskins loss to the Eagles in NFL Week 1

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on September 08, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on September 08, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 08: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles tackles Vernon Davis #85 of the Washington Redskins in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on September 08, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 08: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles tackles Vernon Davis #85 of the Washington Redskins in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on September 08, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. The Redskins still have yet to learn to play a full 60-minute game

The Redskins are a young team, so they are going to have some painful moments amid growing pains. But losing this game to the Eagles felt more than painful after their first-half performance.

In the first half, the Redskins were able to find plenty of space against the Eagles defense. Their passing offense was excellent, as Case Keenum was sharp and the team’s weapons found a lot of space. They were able to move the ball better than they did at any point in the preseason and took advantage of the Eagles’ poor tackling.

On the defensive side of the ball, they didn’t allow the Eagles to do much at all. In fact, they held the Eagles scoreless until a DeSean Jackson touchdown cut into their 17-0 lead late in the second quarter. Carson Wentz looked frustrated and it simply didn’t look like the Eagles were going to be able to score much.

More from Riggo's Rag

After halftime, everything changed. Keenum still had openings in the passing game, but his protection wasn’t as good. The team couldn’t really run the ball at all either. That caused the unit to become one dimensional and stall out frequently. They only scored seven points in the half and that came at the end of a long, virtual garbage-time possession at the end of the half when the Eagles were mostly just trying to waste time.

And on defense, they completely fell apart. They simply lost the ability to cover the Eagles and allowed Wentz and company to march down the field at will. It looked like the team was fielding two completely different units in the first and second half.

In essence, the Redskins didn’t play a 60-minute game. They weren’t able to capitalize on a great first half or even come close to staying afloat in the second half. Outside of Case Keenum, they weren’t really consistent at all. They’ll need to find some consistency moving forward. This young team needs to learn how to win.

If the Redskins keep blowing 13-point halftime leads, it’s going to be a long season for the team.

Home/Commanders News