Game Recap: Redskins hold on to defeat the Dolphins
October 13, 2019
by Steve Thomas
The Washington Redskins earned their first victory of season this afternoon by a score of 17 – 16 against a Miami Dolphins team that lived up to its poor reputation for the first three quarters of the game. The Redskins definitely needed a victory during this most chaotic of weeks, so they’ll take it, but the game left some significant questions unanswered.
The first quarter started out slowly for both teams, as the Redskins and Dolphins traded punts for most of the first fifteen minutes. The defense immediately put significant pressure on Dolphins second year quarterback Josh Rosen, sacking him 4 times in the first quarter alone, putting him on the run in several other plays, and generally keeping him out of rhythm all day. Interim Head Coach Bill Callahan did exactly what he told the world he would do on offense and made a clear effort to establish the run through Adrian Peterson, giving him significant carries early. It took awhile to become effective, as the Redskins had minimal rushing yardage by the end of the quarter, which ended in a 0 – 0 tie.
The Redskins scored their first touchdown of the day early in the second quarter on a connection between quarterback Case Keenum and rookie receiver Terry McLaurin, who ran a brilliant 25 yard post-corner route to get his fourth touchdown of the season. The touchdown pass was set up by solid running from Peterson, who had gains of 9, 18, and 25 yards. The Dolphins finally responded towards the end of the half with a field goal in a 10 play, 63 yard drive kept alive by two critical penalties against Washington, including a controversial roughing the passer call assessed against linebacker Ryan Anderson. The first half ended with the Redskins leading by a score of 7 – 3.
Washington struck again early in the third quarter when they marched 60 yards in just 6 plays, capped by another Terry McLaurin touchdown reception, this time going for 33 yards on a quality strike by Keenum, to run the score up to 14 – 3. The Dolphins then proceeded to immediately turn the ball over on the next possession thanks to Shaun Dion Hamilton’s first interception of the season on the Miami 34 yard line. The Redskins were able to drive down to the Dolphins 3 after the interception courtesy of 22 yards rushing by Peterson and a 10 yard reception by McLaurin. However, the Redskins were unable to punch the ball in for the touchdown in three attempts and were forced to settle for a field goal, making the score 17 – 3.
The Redskins again drove down the field in the final possession of the third quarter. The drive stalled on the Dolphins’ 37, and Dustin Hopkins missed a 55 yard field attempt wide right on the first play of the fourth quarter. At that point, Miami replaced Rosen with veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who immediately brought a spark to the offense and proceeded to drive the Dolphins 55 yards on 9 plays for their first touchdown of the game. Fitzpatrick later added some significant drama late in the contest, taking his Dolphins in for their second touchdown of the game with just 6 seconds left in the game, making the score 17 – 16. Miami head coach Brian Flores then elected to for the 2 point conversion and the win rather than the tie, but the effort failed when running back Kenyon Drake dropped a pass from Fitzpatrick, giving the Redskins a one point win after an onsides kick attempt failed.
Case Keenum’s stats on the day were fairly mediocre, with 13 completions in 25 attempts for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns and a 99.8 quarterback rating. Peterson earned his first 100 yard game of the season, with 118 yards on 23 carries, which was his 55th 100 yard game of his illustrious career. McLaurin was the star of the receiving corps, with 4 receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Landon Collins led the way with 12 tackles, including 10 solo. The Redskins had a total of 5 sacks in the game, with 2 from Jonathan Allen, and 1 each from Collins, Treyvon Hester, and Matt Ioannidis. Hamilton and Quinton Dunbar each had an interception, Dunbar’s being his third of the year.
Rosen was 15 for 25 for 85 yards passing and 2 interceptions, for a 32.9 quarterback rating, in three quarters of play. Fitzpatrick was 12 for 18 for 132 yards and 1 touchdown, for a 106.7 rating, in the final 15 minutes.
The Dolphins’ net of 271 total yards was the fewest yards allowed by the Redskins defense since the Jacksonville game in week 15 of the 2018 season. It was the team’s first win in Miami in franchise history.
Washington certainly should be proud of its effort today, getting a win just six days after former head coach was fired by owner Dan Snyder in dramatic fashion at 5:00 am last Monday morning. The team very much needed a victory after 5 straight weeks of uninspired, sloppy play that effectively ruined the season as soon as it began. However, a last second one point win over a team that was objectively the worst team in the NFL and that had been blown in its previous four contests isn’t necessarily anything to write home about, particularly on offense. Callahan needs to continue to work with his team on their execution and efficiency on that side of the ball in the coming weeks.
The Redskins next face the 49ers in a 1:00 o’clock start next Sunday at home at Fed Ex Field.