Redskins vs. Eagles: Full Report Card Grades for Washington
Despite being without the services of their franchise quarterback, the Washington Redskins had little trouble keeping up with the NFL's top offense.
Even with that said, the Redskins came up short in their bid to capture first place in the NFC East and lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 37-34 in a wire-to-wire thriller.
While Kirk Cousins made Robert Griffin III's injury an afterthought by directing an offense that tallied 511 total yards, Washington couldn't overcome a litany of injuries on defense.
As a result, Washington hardly resembled the unit that entered the contest as the NFL's top defense. Passing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, Nick Foles overcame a lackluster showing from LeSean McCoy.
Still, even with their deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball, this was a game the Redskins should've won.
In such a close contest, one could look at the return touchdown Washington allowed, or its own missed field goal, as the difference in the game.
A game that featured injuries to more high-profile Redskins, the team has little time to lick its wounds. Washington plays the New York Giants on Thursday night.
With the prospects of overcoming a 1-3 record and a 0-2 start in the division daunting, this was a game the Redskins could ill-afford to lose.
Enough of that, though. Here are the position grades for this contest.
Quarterback
1 of 10
Cousins' play in the preseason elicited rumblings that perhaps he was the best quarterback to run head coach Jay Gruden's offense.
Cousins' play in relief of an injured Griffin in Week 2 backed this line of thinking, and against the Eagles, it was much of the same.
Cousins threw for 427 yards and three touchdowns. While he cooled down from a blistering start in which he completed 12 of his first 14 throws, for the game, Cousins completed 30 of 48 passes.
Still, it was his incompletions late in the game that casted a shadow over an otherwise brilliant game. Cousins handed Philadelphia a 10-point lead when an overthrown pass to a tightly-covered Niles Paul was intercepted by Malcolm Jenkins.
While he responded to this turnover by leading Washington to another touchdown drive, on the team's final possession, he again came up short. Needing eight yards to enter field-goal range, Cousins threw three straight incompletions that effectively ended the game.
Even with that said, it was an encouraging start for Cousins, especially considering that his chemistry with the starting receivers is still developing. While turnovers are something he clearly needs to work on, at the end of the day, he did enough for Washington to win this game.
Grade: B+
Running Back
2 of 10
While Alfred Morris' lack of touches was a talking point in Washington's first loss, Morris was at the forefront of Washington's game plan this time around.
For a second consecutive week, Morris eclipsed 20 carries. Finishing with 23 rushes on the game, Morris' production still was underwhelming.
The injuries to Washington's offensive line didn't help matters, but the team still needs more than 77 yards rushing from Morris. Morris' long rush on the day was just 12 yards, and he averaged just 3.3 yards per carry.
Rushing for just 84 yards on the day, explosive runs continue to be an element that's missing from Washington's offense.
Grade: C
Receivers
3 of 10
Touted as one of the best receiving corps in the NFL, Washington's array of talent in the passing game was put on full display in this outing. Whether it was accumulating yards after the catch, or attacking the secondary deep downfield, the Redskins' receivers ran roughshod over Philadelphia's defensive backs.
In his return to Philly, DeSean Jackson had five receptions for 117 yards. Adding to his highlight factory, Jackson had an 81-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Not to be forgotten, Pierre Garcon was actually the leading receiver.
After tallying just one catch the previous game, Garcon paired his 11 receptions with 138 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles.
Continuing his breakout season in place of Jordan Reed, Niles Paul had six catches for 68 yards.
All told, Washington's receivers played as advertised.
Grade: A
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
Maligned for its pass-blocking and lauded in the running game, Washington's offensive line flipped the script in this contest.
As detailed by Morris' rushing totals, Washington got little traction in the running game. Shockingly, though, the Redskins didn't allow a sack or a hit on Cousins—and that's on nearly 50 dropbacks.
Despite being down Shawn Lauvao, Tyler Polumbus and Kory Lichtensteiger at various junctures in the game, Washington handled itself extremely well in the face of an array of Eagles blitzes. Still, with a game on Thursday night against the Giants, the health of this unit is a concern going forward.
With Lauvao's injury being the most significant, as Zac Boyer of The Washington Times notes, it could force Josh LeRibeus into a starting role.
Grade: B
Defensive Line
5 of 10
Tasked with limiting McCoy in the running game, Washington's defensive line clogged all of McCoy's running lanes. On 20 carries, he only gained 22 yards.
As a team, the Eagles gained just 54 yards and averaged 2.5 yards per carry.
While the defensive line's responsibility in a 3-4 defense is mostly tied to occupying blockers, the injury situation Philadelphia had along the offensive line should've led to more penetration from this unit in the passing game.
The injury to Jason Hatcher, and later the ejection of Chris Baker, may have left Washington depleted along this front, but going—literally!—against Philly's only available offensive lineman, you have to expect more.
With Kedric Golston, Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen already injured, Washington can't afford to enter Week 4's matchup with the Giants down Hatcher.
Grade: B
Linebackers
6 of 10
While Washington's linebackers also deserve credit for stymieing Philly's rushing attack, this group was exposed in the passing game.
From overreacting to the Eagles' use of play-action fakes, to missing tackles on screen plays, this position group turned in an uneven effort.
Then there's the team's pass rush. It wasn't "0 to 100", a la Drake, but the production of Washington's pass-rushers fell off "real quick."
After posting a franchise-record 10 sacks against the Jacksonville Jaguars, for the second time this season, the Redskins were shut out in the sack department.
Going against a battered Eagles offensive front, this lack of production was startling. While this unit did apply more pressure on Foles as the game progressed, the fact is that Washington tallied just two quarterback hits on the game.
Sure, Philly's use of the screen pass was a deterrent, but the Redskins' biggest issue was allowing Foles to extend plays by escaping the pocket. This was also something that Ryan Fitzpatrick did in the opener.
With Eli Manning next up, this shouldn't be an issue in Week 4. But going forward, this is something that the team needs to shore up.
Grade: C
Secondary
7 of 10
Washington may have entered this contest with the NFL's top defense, but this ranking had little to with its secondary.
This unit had given up big plays the previous two games, and this plight again resurfaced against the Eagles. Foles threw for 325 yards with Jeremy Maclin being his chief target.
While his biggest gain came off a screen pass, Maclin torched Washington for eight receptions, 154 yards and a touchdown. Exposing the Redskins' lack of depth at cornerback, rookie Jordan Matthews had eight receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
Already down Tracy Porter, the injury to DeAngelo Hall forced the Redskins to field a secondary that had E.J. Biggers and rookie Bashaud Breeland featured in prominent roles.
Although both players had their moments of success, their presence in the game forced defensive coordinator Jim Haslett to utilize soft coverages that conceded short throws underneath.
His first game after serving a two-game suspension, Brandon Meriweather resembled the player he replaced at safety, Bacarri Rambo:
"Brandon Meriweather channeling his inner Bacarri Rambo.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 21, 2014"
Aside from missing tackles, Meriweather was a liability in coverage. Most notably on Maclin's touchdown reception in the red zone, as ESPN 980's Chris Russell notes:
"Brandon Meriweather gets beat badly incoverage by Jeremy Maclin..was in man coverage off the LOS ..never got a good jam or disruption.
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) September 21, 2014"
With Hall reiterating postgame that he tore his Achilles, via Yahoo's Charles Robinson, Washington's pass defense is doomed if the team can't generate more pressure on the quarterback.
Grade: D+
Special Teams
8 of 10
At least they're consistent.
The Redskins lost the season opener on special teams, and the same can be said about this loss. From the 102-yard kick return to Kai Forbath's missed field goal, Washington gave away points.
While the season is far from written, you can't help but think that the Redskins will look back at this unit and wonder what if. Instead of entering Week 4 with an unblemished record, Washington could be playing for its season:
"Teams concentrate so much on off/def starters and special teams has cost Redskins two games.
— Rick Snider (@Snide_Remarks) September 21, 2014"
Solid but not elite on offense or defense, Washington isn't at the point where it can overcome such deficiencies on this unit.
Grade: F
Coaching
9 of 10
After a rocky start to the 2014 campaign, Gruden has executed back-to-back masterful game plans on offense. Behind a balanced attack, he kept Philly's defense guessing and, most importantly, controlled the time of possession.
Shifting the focus to the defense, you could question Haslett's play calls.
While the injury to Hall forced his hand and limited the amount of pressure he could send at Foles later in the game, prior to his exit, Haslett was too conservative. Fearful of allowing a big play, Washington allowed an Eagles offense that sat on the sidelines for nearly the whole first quarter get into a rhythm by conceding short throws.
Because the Eagles receivers had yet to produce many big plays downfield the first two games, a more prudent move would've been to send pressure at Foles while pressing Philly's receivers.
A look at the 10 penalties the team accumulated, you could say that discipline is another aspect this coaching staff can focus on going forward.
Grade: B
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Unit | Overall Grade |
| QB | B+ |
| RB | C |
| WR | A |
| OL | B |
| DL | B |
| LB | C |
| Secondary | D+ |
| Special Teams | F |
| Coaching | B |
| Cumulative Grade | B- |
In spurts, Washington's improved talent base was again on display. The offense moved the ball at will, and the defense completely neutralized one of the NFL's top players. Even with that said, it's consistency that still alludes this team.
Washington outplayed Philadelphia, but once again, the difference in the game were the turnovers, missed opportunities and penalties the team had—all hallmarks of losing teams.
While it's clear this team is improved, until the Redskins can get out of their own way and avoid these miscues, it won't be reflected in their record.
All stats courtesy of ESPN.com.
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