As usual for one o clock games I missed the first quarter due to work but it didn't take a genius to realize the Redskins offense wasn't getting anything done.
The Redskins could move the ball, especially with rookie wonder Alfred Morris's hard running, but come third down they couldn't convert; be they bad plays, bad reads, missed blocks or dropped passes.
The defense played hard, limiting the offensive juggernaut of Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Micheal Turner. They gave up a mere 7 points in the first half AND cancelled that out with a pick six by last year's top draft pick, Ryan Kerrigan.
Enter the second half where the offense starts moving the ball down field but fails to convert on the only third down of the drive. Field goal range and in comes Billy Cundiff for a gimmie. As usual he gave the gimmie to defense by hooking it right and missing. Next offensive possession the Redskins drove down field and had a third and goal but RG3 took a vicious hit near the sidelines and suffered a mild concussion. He seems good now is probable to play on Sunday. Cundiff was good on the short attempt.
Atlanta's offense dominated in time of possession and wore the defense down. With the game tied at 10-10 the Falcons drove down the field in 3 minutes and scored on a pass to Julio Jones. Enter Captain Kirk Cousins (props to my boy Naeem for the nickname) who on the previous possession went three and out. Two plays later it's 3rd and 10 and Skins have yet to convert on a third down. Cousins dropped back and threw a laser to a wide open Santana Moss who raced down the field for a 77 yard game tying score. The crowd was jumping and so was I.
Sadly, the defense just couldn't hold on, like a climber stuck on a cliff for an hour he just couldn't hold on for the final few minutes and slipped. The defense yielded a touchdown a 13 yard touchdown to Michael Turner making the score 24-17 with a few minutes left. Could Cousins impress like he did in preseason against the Bears? Throw one more touchdown? Maybe two? Alas Redskins fans were brought down to Earth as Cousins ended the game with a pair of interceptions. He was a fourth round rookie tossed into a high pressure situation with minimal practice time, it would take a miracle for the Redskins to tie and then win the game in overtime. He did admirable with the preparation he had.
My takes from the game:
Good:
1. RG3 was finally welcomed into the NFL. He has to realize that he simply needs to slide or run out of bounds. He's trying to help the team by giving 110% but an extra yard and a vicious hit isn't going to keep a franchise quarterback healthy. (Micheal Vick anyone?) He should learn from this and ease off the accelerator just a bit.
2. Alfred Morris is going to Hawaii. Yup after 5 weeks of football he has run for a little under 500 yards and 4 touchdowns. Good for a 4.9 yards per carry average. Astounding numbers for a 6th round rookie. Additionally, his size, running style and draft position match those of Terrell Davis while his stats through five games outshine him. We have a #1 running back in D.C.
3. Our defense is getting better. Last week the 26th ranked defense yielded 6 points to the Bucs for most of the game, after collapsing and giving up a total of 22 after the 2nd half was over with.. This week they yielded 7 to the vaunted Falcons offense for the entire 1st half. The offense needs to be able to give them a breather to stop the 4th quarter collapses.
Bad:
1. Billy Cundiff missed another kick. He needs to nail the rest of them for the entire year if he wants some job security. We can't keep throwing away points in close games.
2. Offense's time of possession The Redskins need to control the clock better on offense to keep the opposing quarterback from shredding the secondary and to give the defense a breather so they have energy for the 4th quarter.
The Redskins are better team that years past but still have some depth issues to address before they become real contenders. Stay strong Skins nation! And lets hope the Nats comeback against the Cardinals. After winning game one of the NLDS they're currently down 1-5 in the top of the 4th.
The Redskins could move the ball, especially with rookie wonder Alfred Morris's hard running, but come third down they couldn't convert; be they bad plays, bad reads, missed blocks or dropped passes.
The defense played hard, limiting the offensive juggernaut of Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Micheal Turner. They gave up a mere 7 points in the first half AND cancelled that out with a pick six by last year's top draft pick, Ryan Kerrigan.
Enter the second half where the offense starts moving the ball down field but fails to convert on the only third down of the drive. Field goal range and in comes Billy Cundiff for a gimmie. As usual he gave the gimmie to defense by hooking it right and missing. Next offensive possession the Redskins drove down field and had a third and goal but RG3 took a vicious hit near the sidelines and suffered a mild concussion. He seems good now is probable to play on Sunday. Cundiff was good on the short attempt.
 |
| Captain Kirk's fearless throws show his confidence.. and need for more practice |
Sadly, the defense just couldn't hold on, like a climber stuck on a cliff for an hour he just couldn't hold on for the final few minutes and slipped. The defense yielded a touchdown a 13 yard touchdown to Michael Turner making the score 24-17 with a few minutes left. Could Cousins impress like he did in preseason against the Bears? Throw one more touchdown? Maybe two? Alas Redskins fans were brought down to Earth as Cousins ended the game with a pair of interceptions. He was a fourth round rookie tossed into a high pressure situation with minimal practice time, it would take a miracle for the Redskins to tie and then win the game in overtime. He did admirable with the preparation he had.
My takes from the game:
Good:
 |
| RG3's a trooper, I'll give him that but he needs to stay healthy |
2. Alfred Morris is going to Hawaii. Yup after 5 weeks of football he has run for a little under 500 yards and 4 touchdowns. Good for a 4.9 yards per carry average. Astounding numbers for a 6th round rookie. Additionally, his size, running style and draft position match those of Terrell Davis while his stats through five games outshine him. We have a #1 running back in D.C.
3. Our defense is getting better. Last week the 26th ranked defense yielded 6 points to the Bucs for most of the game, after collapsing and giving up a total of 22 after the 2nd half was over with.. This week they yielded 7 to the vaunted Falcons offense for the entire 1st half. The offense needs to be able to give them a breather to stop the 4th quarter collapses.
Bad:
1. Billy Cundiff missed another kick. He needs to nail the rest of them for the entire year if he wants some job security. We can't keep throwing away points in close games.
2. Offense's time of possession The Redskins need to control the clock better on offense to keep the opposing quarterback from shredding the secondary and to give the defense a breather so they have energy for the 4th quarter.
The Redskins are better team that years past but still have some depth issues to address before they become real contenders. Stay strong Skins nation! And lets hope the Nats comeback against the Cardinals. After winning game one of the NLDS they're currently down 1-5 in the top of the 4th.
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