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FanSided

Redskins studs and duds from the team’s Week 2 defeat against Dallas

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 15: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins waits to be introduced prior to playing against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 15: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins waits to be introduced prior to playing against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 15: Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins intercepts a pass in front of Randall Cobb #18 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 15: Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins intercepts a pass in front of Randall Cobb #18 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Stud: FS Montae Nicholson

For all their flaws, the Redskins can at least take credit for this: They haven’t had any trouble jumping out to leads early this season.

In Week 1, Washington exploded out to a 21-7 lead against Philadelphia, on the back of a surprisingly stellar passing attack, which later stalled. In Week 2, it was a turnover that helped tip the odds in Washington’s favor: An interception nabbed by free safety Montae Nicholson.

It was the first turnover generated of the season for the Redskins, and it came at an opportune time. The Redskins had just 24 yards and two punts in their first two drives. Dak Prescott was starting to find his groove. He eventually found it anyway, but on this particular drive, the pressure got to Prescott, and on third and one, he threw a pass behind Randall Cobb in the middle of the field.

Cobb tried to corral the ball, but he couldn’t catch it cleanly, and so instead, in bounced into the air off his fingers, a pop fly waiting to be snatched. With his range and focus, Nicholson stepped forward, plucked the ball out of the air, and ran it back 23 yards. That interception return set up Adrian Peterson’s rushing touchdown, and it helped the Redskins take control early.

It didn’t take long for the Redskins to forfeit their control, but credit must be given where it’s due. Nicholson is showing flashes of his 2017 self this season, and at just 23 years old, he has more time to keep improving. He was out for a good chunk of the second and third quarters on Sunday with a foot injury, and the secondary didn’t quite look the same without him.

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