Redskins vs. Eagles: 6 Things We Learned in Washington's 34-10 Defeat

The Washington Redskins closed out a hugely disappointing season with a 34-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

As has been the case for most of campaign, the Redskins were the architects of their own downfall. Mike Shanahan's team was guilty of senseless turnovers, penalties and terrible game management.

These all too familiar failings undermined the positive numbers the Redskins managed to put up and allowed Andy Reid's team to always stay a step ahead.

Here are eight lessons taken from the Redskins' 11th defeat of the NFL season.

6. Clock Management Is Atrocious

This contest was a disaster in terms of game management. The Redskins squandered several promising opportunities due to poor communication and baffling decision making.

The most alarming examples came in the final two minutes of the first half. The first issue arose when a timeout was taken too early. It was unclear whether or not Mike Shanahan wanted the timeout to be taken.

It was hard to tell if the offense knew whether they were simply playing for a field goal or trying to punch it in. The Redskins eventually turned it over on downs.

After recovering a Michael Vick fumble, the Redskins began driving towards the Eagles goal line. There was no cohesion in the Redskins plan for the clock on this critical drive. The offense failed to leave enough time on the clock to kick a field goal to end the half.

Washington's hurried attempts to claim the three points as the clock ran out were comical and revealed the chaos in the communication process between players and coaches.

5. There Is a Complete Lack of Team Discipline

The Redskins were guilty of several infuriating and senseless penalties. Granted, one or two calls from the officials defied belief, but the team once again failed to stay professional and maintain discipline at crucial moments.

The most flagrant examples were two unsportsmanlike penalties against wide receivers Santana Moss and Donte Stallworth.

Moss removed his helmet to demonstrate with the officials with the Redskins positioned at the Eagles goal line. That cost the team 15 critical yards and led to the field goal fiasco that ended the half.

Stallworth tacked 15 yards onto the kickoff after the Redskins had scored a touchdown to get back into the game. The call may have been harsh, but a disciplined team doesn't consistently make these kind of mistakes.

Issues with discipline and game management are ultimately the manifestation of the coaching. Shanahan cannot blame poor depth or mismatched personnel for these problems.

4. The Redskins Need a Defense That Makes a Stop When It Counts

It was another mixed performance from the Redskins defense. The unit was outstanding in the first half. But the second half again saw the group fail to deliver when it mattered most.

After the Redskins had reduced the deficit to three points, the defense folded and allowed consecutive Eagles touchdowns.

They surrendered big plays at the worst time and destroyed the brief momentum that had been built. Vick's bomb to DeSean Jackson and several connections with Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin were the prime examples.

After scoring 10 third-quarter points, the offense couldn't be blamed for the inability of the defense to stop a one-dimensional Eagles offense missing the talents of LeSean McCoy. 

3. The Blitz Package Is Badly Designed and Executed

For a team that likes to blitz on a regular basis, it's surprising how bad the Redskins are at it. The blitz package is badly designed and poorly executed.

Too many times, blitzers appear to run into each other or begin their rushes too late. It seems that the Redskins are giving their players too much to do when dialling up a blitz.

The frustrating thing is that when the Redskins choose to rely on a straight, four-man rush, they actually have a very effective pass rush.

2. When Aligning with His Hand Down, Brian Orakpo Is an Elite Rusher

He still struggles operating in space, but when allowed to align with his hand on the ground, Brian Orakpo is still one of the league's best pure pass rushers.

After recently securing his first ever sack against NFC East opposition against the New York Giants, Brian Orakpo registered two more takedowns of a division quarterback.

Orakpo tormented the Eagles and was dominant at times in the first half. When he left the lineup, the Redskins defense lost its big play threat. Orakpo was most effective when lining up with his hand on the ground.

When rushing as a defensive end out of nickel fronts, Orakpo can use his natural leverage, bull rush and technique more to his advantage.

The Redskins should strongly consider tweaking their 3-4 scheme to something more closely resembling a Wade Phillips, Baltimore Ravens style hybrid front.

This would allow room for Orakpo to align on the line of scrimmage as a flexible defensive end for the majority of the team's defensive snaps.

1. Evan Royster Is a Legitimate Candidate for the Starting Running Back Job

Sixth-round draft choice Evan Royster followed up his stunning debut against the Minnesota Vikings with another fine effort to make a strong case for the starting role at running back.

Royster churned out 113 tough yards on 20 punishing carries. An extremely physical runner between the tackles, Royster appears better able to power out yards after contact than fellow rookie Roy Helu.

Royster also seems to be a little quicker spotting a hole and hitting the line of scrimmage. There is no doubt that Helu has more big-play capability and breakaway speed.

But the close competition between these two young runners is the best thing the Redskins have going for them at the moment.

It Will Take More Than Adding a Quarterback to Return to the Playoffs

The worrying emerging consensus that this Redskins team is only a quarterback away from competing was proved false in this game.

No matter how many arguments are made about how the Shanahan regime is attempting to build the team the so-called "right way," the Redskins are still 5-11.

That's one game worse than 2010's disappointing mark, and it's hard to see how this is a team only one player short.

The defense has struggled mightily in consecutive weeks despite facing opposition fielding reserves in key positions.

The offense lacks the poise and discipline to take advantage of their few positive attributes, and the coaching staff seems content to blame all the ills on the players.

It would be great to see the Redskins emerge from the doldrums in 2012. But make no mistake, serious and large-scale work will be needed to turn that hope into a reality.