Redskins: Three takeaways from the team’s Week 2 loss to Dallas
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – The Redskins offense still isn’t good enough to win modern football
Even if the defense does improve, unless it’s an elite unit of the 2018 Bears’ caliber, they’re not getting a whiff of the postseason. Why? Because the Redskins offense isn’t good enough to win modern football, either.
There was some measured hope coming into Week 2. Adrian Peterson, the team’s 1,000-yard rusher from 2018, was back in the starting lineup, and Case Keenum had put together a solid statistical outing in Week 1, albeit without substance.
Against the Cowboys defense, however, the Redskins offense showed more of its true self. A two-touchdown day distorted the inconsistent performance of Keenum; the veteran had several would-be interceptions dropped, and his touchdowns both came in essential garbage time. One was thrown when the Redskins were down 21-7. Another was thrown when the Redskins, with just over two minutes left, were down 31-14.
Teams need the pass to get ahead and stay ahead in the NFL, and if one doesn’t subscribe to that philosophy, then the running game has to be elite. The Redskins, unfortunately, only pass when they have to, and when they attempt to establish the run with their average rushing attack, they only give the opposition more opportunities. Adrian Peterson’s touchdown to move into the top five all-time was a good story, but he didn’t change a thing.
There are some bright spots on the Redskins offense. Ereck Flowers has exceeded expectations at left guard, and Terry McLaurin is a true No. 1 receiver who has ten receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns through two games. Furthermore, the jet sweep concepts used at the start of the game provided a look at rare creativity and schematic prowess that Jay Gruden has flashed in his time with Washington.
But despite those bright spots, the offense as a whole is simply not enough. And the coaches seemingly lack the desire to make necessary changes, and maintain those implemented changes with consistency, in order to save their jobs.