3 In A Row

What’s up Redskins Nation!? What a 3 week stretch this has been! Taking down Scam Newton and Beating Dallas in thrilling fashion was quite the 2 game home stand following one of the most embarrassing performances in recent memory. To then avoid the classic “trap game” in New York was very un-Redskins like. Has it always been pretty? No. But to start division play at 2–0 is something we haven’t done in years. There is still room for improvement on the offensive side of the ball, but to work out adjustments while stock piling wins is something I can live with. Are we a playoff team yet? I think it’s too early to tell, but right now the Redskins have the making of a good team that is starting to build an identity.

• Winning the turnover battle (+6 last 3 games)
• Controlling time of possession (currently 2nd in the NFL as of week 7)
• Ability to run the football with AP
• Stopping the run
• Winning the field position battle

Sounds boring, but it’s working so far. Until Alex Smith starts playing with more efficiency, this is our best way to win games right now. Here are some highlights (and lowlights) over the past couple of weeks that have jumped out to me.

This defense front is as good as advertised. Allen, Payne, and Ioannidis. They’ve been huge. Applying pressure, stopping the run, and controlling the line of scrimmage has been a constant so far. Limiting McCaffrey (20 yards rushing), Elliott (33 yards rushing), and Barkley (38 yards rushing) is insane. 3 elite backs held under 100 yards — combined! Redskins rank 2nd in the NFL in run defense, a vast improvement from being 32nd last year.

AP may be the team MVP so far. He’s putting the team on his back at times and running like its 2012. Establishing the run has been key in all 5 wins this season. He doesn’t go down on first contact and is helping our struggling offense keep possession alive. His 64 yard TD run to seal the win over the Giants proves he still has breakaway speed. Thank goodness Doug Williams did his due diligence and brought him in for a workout during the preseason (even if he didn’t get Bruce’s permission first….).

Redskins have won despite the struggles of Alex Smith. He hasn’t been good the last few games. He’s missed open receivers at times and doesn’t always look comfortable in the pocket. Granted, pass pro has been shaky at times, but you’d expect more poise from a 14 year veteran. Let’s hope this is more an adjustment period to Jay’s offense and that he’s still building rapport with his playmakers. If the Redskins want to play meaningful games in December, Alex has to play better.

Kerrigan and Smith appeared to finally find their groove against Dallas. Kerrigan finally got his first 2 sacks of the season, while Preston scored his first career TD (on the Kerrigan strip sack at the goal line).

Other quick takes:

DJ Swearinger is playing at an all pro level. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the top safety in the NFL.

Jordan Reed had more targets in the Giants game — that trend needs to continue.

Getting a healthy Thompson and Crowder should help this offense take that next step.

Having Lauvao back at LG has made a difference the past couple of weeks — pass pro and run blocking has been better.

Hopkins has made some big kicks already this season. With our offensive struggles, we’ll need him to continue that trend. (I’ll give him a pass on the 41 yard miss against Giants…for now)

Jay Gruden needed to be more aggressive / innovative with his play calling at end of Dallas game. Hopefully he can learn from that assuming we’ll be in more close games later in the season.

Tress Way has been awesome. 5 out of his 6 punts against Dallas were downed inside the 20 — he followed that up with a net 50 yard average against the Giants. Constantly flipping field position has been huge

Redskins currently rank 5th in NFL in turnover margin

Josh Doctson has posted back to back solid games. Maybe he’s close to turning the corner?

A healthy Mason Foster has been huge for our defense so far. He had a game high 13 tackles against the Giants.

Sunday’s win against the Giants was massive. A week after an emotionally draining game against Dallas I think all Redskins fans felt there was a letdown looming. There was no sign of that being the case on Sunday. Not many projected our team to be in sole possession of first place this late in the season. With that, our front office was aggressive at the trade deadline. Adding pro bowl safety Ha Ha Clinton Dix to an already strong defense is huge. He and DJ arguable become the best safety duo in the NFL and helps shore up our secondary, which has had some ups and downs so far. Only giving up a 4th round pick for a player like Clinton Dix is a no brainer. With the Eagles and Cowboys each adding a receiver, this was the perfect counter.

Big opportunity looms Sunday to move to 6–2 at the official halfway point of the season. Atlanta will be one of the better offenses the Redskins will face this season. Think of this as retaking the test they failed miserably in New Orleans a month ago. FedEx needs to be electric and the faithful in full force. This team has many starting to believe this could be a special season, and I’m one of them.

Cheers & Hail,

Kevin (Your fellow die-hard fan)