Biggest Takeaways from Washington Redskins' Week 5 Loss

Week 5's 25-19 sudden-death loss to the Atlanta Falcons should have taught the Washington Redskins a few valuable lessons. Hopefully, those lessons won't be lost on head coach Jay Gruden and his staff as they prepare to face the New York Jets in Week 6.

Primarily, Gruden must remember his team has to win the time-of-possession battle to win games. Doing so requires establishing the running game. It's something likely to be tough given the continued struggles of Alfred Morris to produce big plays on the ground.

However the offense is performing, Joe Barry's defense still needs work, both at the fundamentals and scheme levels. Problems with the former were reflected in a soft run defense, while the latter showed up in more vanilla play-calling in clutch situations.

Still, Week 5 wasn't without positives for the Burgundy and Gold. A new playmaker has emerged to revitalise the passing game.

Find out the biggest takeaways from Washington's last-gasp defeat in Week 5.

Alfred Morris Is Struggling

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There's no glossing over it now. Alfred Morris is struggling. He's not running with speed, power or dynamism.

Morris' stale form produced just 15 yards from eight carries in Week 5. Those are hardly inspiring numbers from the team's supposed workhorse.

Gone are the quick cuts and initial burst that once made Morris such a terror on the ground. Against the Falcons, his go-to move appeared to be piling slowly into the heart of Atlanta's defensive line.

In fairness to 2012's sixth-round pick, he wasn't exactly helped by an offensive front routinely pushed around along the interior. Specifically, center Kory Lichtensteiger failed to handle veteran D-tackle Jonathan Babineaux. More than once, the 34-year-old was in the backfield to stuff runs at their source. Nose tackle Paul Soliai was also disruptive all game.

Yet even behind poor blocking, Morris isn't displaying many explosive qualities as a ball-carrier. His dip in form is bad news considering rookie Matt Jones suffered a "big toe sprain," according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

If Jones can't go in Week 6, the onus will be on Morris against the NFL's eighth-ranked run defense. If Lichtensteiger and Co. couldn't control Babineaux and Soliai, they'll find Muhammad Wilkerson a nightmare.

Morris will have to manufacture some gains against the Jets. Unfortunately, he's not currently playing like he can.

Run Defense a Concern

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Washington's defense played well, particularly against the pass. But three sacks, a pair of interceptions and a recovered fumble were big plays undermined by a feeble effort stopping the run.

Devonta Freeman helped himself to 153 yards on 27 carries. It was alarming how many times he ran through pitiful attempted tackles that were merely tackles in name only.

For a group heavily fortified with big bodies during the offseason, Washington's defensive front was surprisingly generous. What was so disappointing was how the Redskins struggled to stop Atlanta's signature zone-style stretch run.

It's a play the Burgundy and Gold have been running since 2010. Yet for reasons beyond understanding, Washington's own defense was remarkably unschooled stopping the play.

Two regular culprits were outside linebacker Trent Murphy and D-tackle Jason Hatcher. Neither was able to get behind the left side of Atlanta's offensive line. It didn't help linebackers weren't avoiding contact at the second level.

All of these issues must be fixed before Week 6. The Jets move the ball on the back of bruising runner Chris Ivory punishing a defense between the tackles. He rumbled for 166 yards the last time he was on the field. Ominous numbers based on how Freeman trampled over the Redskins.

Redskins Must Win Time-of-Possession Battle

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Washington's inability to run and stop the run meant surrendering control of the clock. Doing so on the road against an unbeaten team boasting a marquee quarterback in Matt Ryan was always going to lead to disaster.

It's a timely reminder the Redskins need to boss the time-of-possession battle to win games. Failure in this area wore down a defense that spent most of the game swarming to the ball and making life uncomfortable for Ryan.

Anthony Gulizia of the Washington Times emphasized how extended playing time took its toll on the D:

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The defense was gassed by the end of the game and it showed on the Falcons’ last drive during regulation. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who finished the game 24-for-42, completed six of eight passes on the Falcons’ final drive before Freeman’s touchdown.

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Nobody in Washington's front seven was running to the ball and hitting hard enough to take Freeman down early in runs. The Redskins hadn't allowed a 100-yard rusher before Week 5, primarily because opponents hadn't had the ball long enough.

Starting in Week 6, Washington must re-establish its ownership of the clock. It'll be the best way to render Ivory irrelevant and force Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to try and win the game.

There's a recipe for a Burgundy and Gold win.

Jamison Crowder Emerging as a True Playmaker

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The biggest positive from Week 5 is Jamison Crowder's continued emergence as a true playmaker in the passing game. This year's fourth-round pick has become a very useful weapon from the slot.

Fox Sports detailed Crowder's production since he took over from butter-fingered veteran Andre Roberts as Washington's specific possession receiver:

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After finishing with seven catches for 65 yards in Week 4, Crowder truly broke out in Week 5. He caught eight passes on just eight targets for 87 yards receiving.

Crowder made several impressive first down catches showing off his unique lateral explosion on two screen passes. Over the last three games, Crowder has 21 receptions.

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Crowder has given quarterback Kirk Cousins a natural outlet on inside routes. The former Duke product is a quick coverage-beater. He's also an explosive and dynamic runner with the ball in his hands.

Against the Falcons, Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay took full advantage of the latter skill by targeting Crowder on quick-hitting screens that got him in space.

Crowder's ability is increasing the creativity the Redskins can bring to the passing game. It's something they'll need against a Jets defense strong at the third corner spot. Buster Skrine is one of the NFL's most capable supplemental cover men.

But Crowder is proving he has the talent to thrive against any team.

Kirk Cousins Has to Prove He Can Cope with the Blitz

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There aren't many quarterbacks who successfully handle the blitz. But mitigating the damage extra rushers can cause is essential for any competent pro starter.

So far in his career, it's not something Cousins has managed too often. Although he missed some throws in Atlanta, his decisive miss came when additional pressure was sent No. 8's way.

ESPN.com's John Keim described the events preceding Cousins' pick-six to Falcons cornerback Robert Alford:

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But the crushing play started with a good blitz from Atlanta, which left linebacker Nate Stupar with a free rush. Cousins knew where he had to throw the ball, but with Stupar free, it bought him little time. It provided Alford a chance to read the play well, starting slightly inside Grant and resulting with him sliding outside and then breaking as the ball was thrown wide. When Grant tried to break after turning around, he slipped.

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It was a rare creative pressure call from the Falcons. But it certainly caught Cousins out. Worryingly, the blitz served to rush him into a rash decision.

After the game, Cousins described how the pressure made him feel as though he had to unload the ball quickly. But having a hair trigger with players in your eye line is usually a quick route to turnovers.

Cousins' tendencies against pressure will certainly be tested by the Jets. No coach in the league is more aggressive and creative with the blitz than New York's Todd Bowles. He's re-defining the way defenses pressure the pocket in football's modern era.

No. 8 needs to be calmer under fire in Week 6.

Losing in overtime to a Falcons team they should have beaten is a tough blow for the Redskins. But fixing some of the issues from Week 5, along with getting Crowder more involved, can put Washington's season back on track against the Jets.

All statistics and player information via NFL.com, unless otherwise stated.

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