Dallas Post-Game Thread

[SFREDSKIN]

Keim’s observations:

Thoughts and observations after the Redskins 20-17 win over the Cowboys:

1. The Redskins have become the team I sort of expected, built on a good defense and running the ball. Their defense isn’t perfect, but in the last two games they’ve held running backs Christian McCaffrey and Ezekiel Elliott to a combined 54 yards rushing. Who saw that coming? And it’s not as if the New Orleans Saints hurt them on the ground with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram; they had a combined 77 yards on 22 carries. Of course they had many other issues in that game.

2. But, the point is, they’re playing well vs. the run something they haven’t done in a long time. Yes, it starts up front with Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Matt Ioannidis. Each of them provided examples Sunday of why Redskins fans should feel good about the defense’s foundation. When teams have had success vs. Dallas’ run game (Houston), it’s because they received good penetration or weren’t moved back. Jacksonville was; Jacksonville struggled. The Redskins were not moved back and did get penetration.

3. Ryan Kerrigan got off a tight end block in a nickel package to tackle Elliott for a short gain. Another time the line simply clogged lanes and, with safety D.J. Swearinger in the box he and linebacker Zach Brown were clean to make a stop. Another time Pernell McPhee’s strength made a difference. He held a double team long enough for Brown to stop Elliott for a one-yard loss. Sometimes they used three safeties in a base defense to get another run defender on the field. But even slot corner Fabian Moreau helped at times to either turn the play inside or get in on a tackle. But it starts up front with the linemen. Look at Kerrigan’s sack; because of the action of the play, three linemen go at Payne – and a lane is created for Kerrigan. On the play before, Allen drew a hold to wipe out a first down. They’re good.

4. Swearinger: “As a defense we want our identity to be stopping the run and when we play man to man in the back end we have to lock up. As a defense I wouldn’t want any other formula. That’s the blueprint for us. We’ve got talent in the front and we got talent in the back. We have to keep building and keep getting trust in each other. We do that and we’ll be hard to beat moving forward.”

5. On the other side, Washington must run the ball well to win and once again the Redskins did with Peterson. It’s hard to overstate what he’s meant since coming to the Redskins. It’s in the meeting rooms and his interactions with the other backs. They were a tight group before he arrived and they were a little concerned how big time he might act. But he’ll ask guys like Samaje Perine what he might have seen on one of his runs. That goes a long way.
But on the field Peterson has provided an attitude for the offense. He runs hard and powerful and you saw that again Sunday. Here’s what Trent Williams told me after the game: “It gets everybody going. It boosts the morale of the team. When he came you heard all the whispers saying, ‘oh, maybe he’s too old.’ Michael Irvin said it. Cris Carter said he’d be just like he was. We heard all the whispers. I knew he was going to come out and quiet all that, but to see him do it, it’s a great feeling…We’ve grown to expect it. Anytime he touches the ball if you can get him to the second level it’s always going to be a show. He’s always going to make someone miss or run someone over.” It’s the first time I’ve seen the Redskins have that attitude on offense in a few years. I’ll have more on his impact on the other running backs in a story on ESPN.com Tuesday. He’s been the most impactful newcomer in the division and didn’t join Washington until mid-August. Saquon Barkley is flashier at this point; the Giants aren’t having success because of him. The Redskins are winning in part because of Peterson.

6. They need that sort of help from Peterson because the passing game is too inconsistent. They’ve become the opposite of what they have been. In the past I’d say the run game, at some point, has to help if they want to make the playoffs. Now it’s about the passing game needing to help if they want to stay in this until the end. Can the Redskins win if the run game stumbles? They haven’t yet so that’s all we can go on. But it’s why my expectations for them were downgraded when Derrius Guice was hurt. I anticipated early struggles, because there was no rhythm developed with all the players in and out and a new quarterback. Alex Smith had some nice passes Sunday, but also missed some. His penchant for not turning the ball over works with the defense/run game formula. Indeed, Washington is plus-six in the turnover margin in its four wins. In the last two games, both of which came down to the final seconds, they haven’t turned it over while causing five.

7. I will say, sometimes it’s hard to know what a quarterback is reading on a play. For example, in last week’s win over Carolina we saw Josh Doctson win on a double move and saw Smith pump fake his way then quickly look off and work to the other side. Thing is, that’s exactly what he was supposed to do on the play; it was similar to a touchdown pass to Vernon Davis earlier in the game. Doctson just happened to win; that’s one you file away. Still, more is needed; for a second straight week I didn't like what happened at the end of the half when points were possible (they weren't going to kick a long field goal into that wind). They can't give away chances for points like that. But for now as long as Peterson is healthy and the blocking is good they can be in every game with the remaining teams on their schedule.

8. I loved the play design on the Kapri Bibbs screen pass for a touchdown. You have to be creative vs. those linebackers because of their speed if you want to hit something in the screen game. On this play, the faked the end around to freeze the backside and then used a play-action fake to Bibbs. Smith then looked to his left and threw back to Bibbs. And then Brandon Scherff showed his mobility and athleticism by lunging at the one defender who could have stopped Bibbs. Just a nice play to get free.

9. I thought a lot of the run game designs were helpful, as they’ve been in other games. It also helped that Peterson was more patient running out of the gun. He had a nine-yard run in the first half that showed his patience. Early in the year he ran too fast out of this look; but in the last two weeks he’s gained a combined 119 yards on 20 carries out of the gun. And it’s not because of one or two long runs. On the one play Sunday, he went about half-speed when he got the ball and allowed the pulling guards to get outside. The linebackers couldn’t flow hard because of Peterson’s action and that enabled the guards to block both of them; Peterson then cut inside their blocks for the gain. Patience.

10. These last two games could have gone either way and there are a handful of plays, if not made, would have resulted in a loss (or an overtime game if nothing else). Will those hurt at some point? They killed them in New Orleans so yeah they can. On the other hand, wins like that can help build something special for a team. Swearinger said there's been good urgency at practices (having a lot of youth helps this too). There's a togetherness they hope leads to something more. Health will dictate that too. Still, he said, "If we keep doing that and keep this thing of brotherly love it'll be hard to beat any defense that keeps the chemistry off the field."

[Back2RFK]

Is it just me or does the fact we don't score in the 3rd qtr reflect how poorly Gruden makes adjustment at half time. I remember the days Gibbs would come out in the 3rd qtr an ball.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Back2RFK

Is it just me or does the fact we don't score in the 3rd qtr reflect how poorly Gruden makes adjustment at half time. I remember the days Gibbs would come out in the 3rd qtr an ball.

I think, if I remember the stat, we put up 124 yards in the 3rd quarter and Dallas had 4 total yards. We dominated the 3rd quarter, but scored 6 points. The issue was the failure to score TD's in the redzone

[Back2RFK]

I also don't like seeing so many Dallas Fans in our stadium.

[Back2RFK]

An ugly win feel a whole lot better then a hard fought loss.

[punch it in]

Skip Bayless crying allllll day long. LMAO

[skinsfaninok]

I'm done arguing Kirk V Alex, we are 4-2 and should go to 5-2 after this week, The defense is sick, DJ is playing like a mad man, Bama boys are killing it. Zach Brown is awesome, Corners are solid (one bad play yesterday). The offense stinks because its not what we are used to the last 4 years, airing it out all game for 350 yards, but I'll take this old school run first and grind the clock if it amounts to winning the division.

[sevier2]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

I'm done arguing Kirk V Alex, we are 4-2 and should go to 5-2 after this week, The defense is sick, DJ is playing like a mad man, Bama boys are killing it. Zach Brown is awesome, Corners are solid (one bad play yesterday). The offense stinks because its not what we are used to the last 4 years, airing it out all game for 350 yards, but I'll take this old school run first and grind the clock if it amounts to winning the division.

Agreed.

It's frustrating when Smith misses wide-open throws and the offense can't generate ANYTHING in the second half of a game BUT, as long as we keep winning it doesn't matter.

Last year? No this offense would not have been good enough because the Defense was allowing way more scoring. This year though, it has been enough. I don't think it will BE enough if we want to contend post season, but they still have a while to figure it out, so we'll see.

Either way, we're 4-2 and a game and a half ahead in the NFCE. I'll take it!

Smith really just needs to add 1 or 2 more scores a game (I know, easier said than done) and we could make some serious noise.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by sevier2

Agreed.

It's frustrating when Smith misses wide-open throws and the offense can't generate ANYTHING in the second half of a game BUT, as long as we keep winning it doesn't matter.

Last year? No this offense would not have been good enough because the Defense was allowing way more scoring. This year though, it has been enough. I don't think it will BE enough if we want to contend post season, but they still have a while to figure it out, so we'll see.

Either way, we're 4-2 and a game and a half ahead in the NFCE. I'll take it!

Smith really just needs to add 1 or 2 more scores a game (I know, easier said than done) and we could make some serious noise.

For sure, and we have to remember he was missing crowder and pr / Ct so 3 starters out hurts. I think 26 Ppg wins a playoff game or 2 with this defense

[jamf]

Great win.
The ending took 10 years off my life but still a great win knowing cowboys fans woke up heart broken.

Thank you RK , DJ, And AP!

No negatives today; They beat Dallas!

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by jamf

Great win.
The ending took 10 years off my life but still a great win knowing cowboys fans woke up heart broken.

Thank you RK , DJ, And AP!

No negatives today; They beat Dallas!

If that wasn't typical Dal vs Wsh dont know what is. Ugly game but the ending was exciting.

[MTK]

I gave my game ball to Kerrigan. We can't say he doesn't show up in big games because he showed up big time yesterday. That strip sack was a thing of beauty how he wraps him up with one arm and punches out the ball with the other.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by MTK

I gave my game ball to Kerrigan. We can't say he doesn't show up in big games because he showed up big time yesterday. That strip sack was a thing of beauty how he wraps him up with one arm and punches out the ball with the other.

Basically that play had a huge role in winning the game. If the d does not score a td there we probably lose

[Dlyne8r]

What a glorious day to be a Redskin fan! There's a little more spring in my step and more smiles on my face. And I take great joy in reading posts on Cowboy blogs moaning that their world is coming to an end. For example, and forgive lack of a link as I'm technologically challenged but it was on bloggingtheboys.com...

"8-8. The kiss of death and the mantra of the Red Headed Clapper.
I’m so disgusted and at a loss for words. If I were GM, JG, SL and Paul Alexander would be on my official chopping block. The Penalties killed us along with all the other mistakes. Our team is poorly coached. Some will blame their failure on poor evacuation but they are coached so poorly that execution is an oxymoron with this offensive unit. The D gave up 13 points and we couldn’t reward them with a win.

Posted by pfloyd1 on Oct 21, 2018 | 8:10 PM"

Sounds like one of our rants but today, who cares?!

[SFREDSKIN]

My concern as Keim stated in his observations point #6.
If the running is not present and have to rely on the passing game and Smith struggles, then what? Our 2 losses were because of that, run was stopped, passing game struggles=losses. Smith needs to improve fast.