GAME RECAP: Redskins Get the Win Over the Rams

September 18, 2017

by Sean Conte

It happened! The Redskins won a tight one against the Rams on Sunday, showing some great signs for a team that looked lost and lackadaisical through the offseason, preseason, and week 1. Let’s get specific.

Among those great signs was a seemingly newfound confidence and commitment to the ground game. The Redskins utilized all their backs to keep the Rams’ stout defensive front off-balance, something they’ll need to continue to do with a stable of unproven players. The highlight of the game was certainly Chris Thompson’s 61-yard TD scamper at the end of the second quarter. In a blink-and-you-missed-it moment, Cousins served Thompson a delayed handoff, who first ran right, then cut back left and burst into the backfield. It was a hell of a moment that sent the Redskins into halftime up ten points.

Let’s talk about the running game, and Thompson specifically. The big 61-yarder was only one of two TDs he scored against LA. The other came earlier in the game, when Trent Williams showed hustle to get downfield for a block that sprung Thompson loose along the left sideline. Though the two backs are different sizes, styles, and frames, Gurley and Thompson fulfill similar roles for their respective teams, getting done through the air what they can’t on the ground (Thompson is not the feature-back in Washington — that would have to be Rob Kelley who was playing well before leaving with a rib injury). Hopefully we see even more from Thompson as the season goes on.

Washington’s passing game continued to have trouble in week two. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was 18-for-27 for 179 yards and a score. Who looked good? Jamison Crowder and Jordan Reed. Who didn’t? Terrelle Pryor. What’s more disappointing is that our shiny new 6’-4” offseason acquisition was hardly targeted, and struggled to come down with what targets he did get. Pryor and Doctson, time to wake up.

Defensively, Josh Norman gets the game-ball for forcing two fumbles, though only one was recovered. This was something he showed a knack for in 2016, and it’s nice to see him continue the tradition. Bashaud Breeland gets a sad face for gifting Gurley a highlight-worthy hurdle in the third quarter — the Washington DB took his eyes off the running back and badly whiffed on a tackle attempt to give the Rams 7 points. Things got tight from there, as the Redskins’ offense stalled out and the Rams secured a field goal to tie things up at 20.

But on the Redskins’ final offensive drive, Kirk gave fans something to smile about. Washington did what it so often fails to; it engineered a game-winning drive, capped by an 11-yard TD toss to Ryan Grant (of all people). The defense then held on and finished things off with a Mason Foster interception on a desperately thrown pass from Goff to Cooper Kupp.

So, the Redskins head back home this week to face off against Oakland. Eek. I don’t want to be cynical here, but it’s hard not to look at the Rams game like something of an aberration — particularly for the running game. Kelly and Perine just aren’t there yet, and Thompson can only do so much conducting offensive guerilla warfare each week. If I had to characterize this team at week 2, I’d say it’s a team with obvious talent that lacks a cohesive identity.

I’m tremendously grateful for this week’s win, something none of us on The Hog Sty except Jamual predicted after a depressing loss to Philadelphia. You do, however, have to remember that the passing game struggled and the offensive stalled out too dramatically to keep up with the league’s elite – perhaps even average – offensive NFL squads. Oakland, for example, is coming off a 45 point drubbing of the NY Jets; one in which they scored at least a TD in every quarter of the game. Will Jay stick to the rushing attack if Washington falls behind? Was the Rams game the result of an early lead and some pressure-relieving turnovers by the defense?

As far as I’m concerned, the jury’s still out on what exactly Sunday’s win means for the team. Another one next week would sure help clarify things….