St. Louis Rams vs. Washington Redskins: Full Report Card Grades for Washington
It appears there isn't a low the Washington Redskins can't reach in this lost 2014 season. Falling 24-0 to the St. Louis Rams in Week 14, Washington was shut out for the first time since 2011.
A week after racking over 400 total yards, the Skins offense never could find its footing in this one. The team's stagnant offense tallied just 206 total yards and in turn lost its fifth consecutive game.
With three games remaining on the schedule, all against NFC East foes, you have to ask if the Redskins blew their only chance at eclipsing last season's win total.
Back to this contest, though. Here are the full report card grades for Washington.
All stats courtesy of ESPN.com.
Quarterback
1 of 10
Let's get one thing clear: Regardless if it was Colt McCoy, Kirk Cousins or Robert Griffin III at quarterback, Washington's passing attack was doomed from the opening snap.
Commanding a one-dimensional attack, McCoy consistently faced third-and-longs and was under duress all afternoon. He was sacked or hit 15 times. Completing 20 of 32 passes, it's no wonder that he averaged 6.2 yards per attempt en route to throwing for 199 yards.
Factor in his two interceptions and the team's 3-of-12 showing on third downs, and he can't leave this contest with a passing grade.
Grade: D
Running Back
2 of 10
To be frank, you wouldn't know Alfred Morris played in this contest if you didn't look at the stat sheet. It was as if he and Pierre Garcon switched roles within the team's offense.
Seeing less than 10 carries for the first time in his career, Morris finished the game with, count it, six yards! With 11 yards, McCoy actually led the team in rushing.
Running for 27 yards at a clip of 2.3 yards a carry, Washington fell way short of its season average of 109.7 yards per game.
With just one gain of 10 yards or more, the Skins were put in predictable passing situations and thus were unable to ever sustain any drives.
Grade: D
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
It looked like the 2013 season all over again: It was Garcon or bust for much of the afternoon in Washington. Cast out of DeSean Jackson's shadow because of injury, Garcon finished the game with nine receptions for 95 yards on 11 targets.
While none of these numbers were season highs for Garcon, this was the first time in six weeks that he's had more than five receptions or 80 yards receiving in an outing. Seeing extended action, the aged one, Santana Moss, had three receptions for 43 yards.
But in regard to Jordan Reed and Andre Roberts, neither ceased the opportunity Jackson's absence provided. Reed finished with 25 yards on three receptions, and Roberts tallied 11 yards on two catches.
All told, with what little time McCoy had to pass, this was a position group that fell victim to circumstance.
Grade: C-
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Offensive Line
4 of 10
It wasn't the root of all evil, but poor play is certainly a start when discussing the state of Washington's offensive line.
Set back by seven sacks, the team's aerial attack was limited to checkdowns and screens much of the afternoon. And even on those quick-hitters, time was not afforded to the quarterback to get the ball out cleanly. As a result, the Skins had no plays over 20 yards.
Then there's the running game. Yeah, the team only ran the football 12 times. But can you explain how the Rams tallied eight tackles for loss on such limited attempts?
The season's long been over, and the offensive line has long been bad. With that said, it's time for Spencer Long, Morgan Moses and Josh LeRibeus to not just garner some snaps, but starts. What is there to lose?
This is a position group that will surely be addressed in the offseason, but by first seeing what it has in these former draft picks, the team can have a more definitive answer on which starting position is its biggest weakness.
Grade: F
Defensive Line
5 of 10
Facing one of the NFL's hottest running backs, the Skins' defensive line answered the bell. Led by Chris Baker, the D-line registered three tackles for loss.
As for the Rams' hotshot rookie Tre Mason, he was held to 66 yards on an average of 3.3 yards per carry. A player who entered the day with a rush of 20 yards or more in six of his eight games, Mason's long gain for the afternoon was 15 yards.
Even with that said, it was Tavon Austin who proved to be the Rams' chief rushing threat. On five carries, he garnered 46 of St. Louis' 131 rushing yards. And because of that, Washington's grade here can't be too glowing.
Grade: C
Linebacker
6 of 10
Consistently inconsistent, Washington's pass rush actually showed up in Week 14.
Leading the charge was one Ryan Kerrigan. With his two sacks, he set a new career high for sacks in a season (11.5). As a team, the Redskins tallied four sacks and six quarterback hits on Shaun Hill.
Continuing to make strides as a pass-rusher, Trent Murphy had two quarterback hits and split a sack with Jason Hatcher.
While it was far from a dominant performance, the team's pass rush did all it could to mask an abysmal secondary.
Grade: B
Secondary
7 of 10
How can the Redskins secondary not be a fantasy owner's dream matchup right now?
A week after getting shredded by Andrew Luck, the team's secondary was again done in by blown coverages and poor tackling.
Not once, but twice Jared Cook was left wide open on touchdown receptions. Opposed to fixating on the receiver running past him—who happened to be Kenny Britt—Bashaud Breeland was caught watching a scrambling Shaun Hill and gave up a 41-yard reception.
Completing 16 of his 22 passes, Hill averaged 9.7 yards per attempt. Directing an offense that was 26th in the NFL in completions over 20 yards, Hill connected on three throws of 30 yards in this one.
All told, it was your typical dismal showing from the Washington secondary.
Grade: F
Special Teams
8 of 10
What didn't Washington fail at on special teams? Oh, kicking field goals. But given the struggles the Rams had at making kicks, it's likely the Skins would've failed in that area as well.
The NFL's top punter in terms of punt average, one knock on Tress Way has been his penchant for outkicking his coverage. With Austin on the receiving end of his kicks, this was one week in which Way couldn't afford to make this mistake, and it showed.
On four punts, Austin tallied 143 return yards, with the highlight being a 78-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
There's more, though. In his own territory, head coach Jay Gruden gave the green light for the Redskins to try their hand at converting a fake punt. Needless to say, it didn't work. Needing five yards for the first down, Way only gained two yards on the keeper.
Somewhat giving a tutorial on how to properly execute a fake, the Rams converted a two-point conversion on the ensuing drive with holder John Hekker passing from a field-goal formation:
"A short #Rams TD pass after a failed fake punt by the Redskins. A 2-pt conversion on a fake XP & Rams lead 17-0 in the 3rd Q. #STLvsWAS
— NBCWashington (@nbcwashington) December 7, 2014"
A unit that had steadily improved from its poor start to the season, Washington's special teams is now trending in the wrong direction.
Grade: F
Coaching
9 of 10
In the lead-up to the game, former Redskin London Fletcher didn't mince words when discussing defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's deficiencies as a coach, per SB Nation:
"London Fletcher ripped Washington DC Jim Haslett, calling him “clueless” and a backstabber: http://t.co/Wqnh5WlZSG pic.twitter.com/4uMYu1gVNO
— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 7, 2014"
Looking at how Haslett's defense was repeatedly burned by St. Louis' use of the jet sweep with Austin, Fletcher's "clueless" comment seemed to be spot on.
Furthermore, there's his players continually missing coverage assignments. Either he's not communicating properly what defense he wants run, or he's sending out players who don't know what they're doing. Whatever the reason, it falls at his feet.
As for head coach Jay Gruden, what did you think would happen to your passing attack if you completely abandoned the running game?
Was it effective? No. But by predictably passing, the Rams' pass-rushers had a field day, and in turn the Skins didn't enter the red zone one time.
With his team trending in the wrong direction and showing a considerable lack of fight, Gruden's job security very well could be up in the air at season's end.
Grade: F
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Unit | Overall Grade |
| QB | D |
| RB | D |
| WR/TE | C- |
| OL | F |
| DL | C |
| LB | B |
| Secondary | F |
| Special Teams | F |
| Coaching | F |
| Cumulative Grade | F |
The focus has long been slanted toward the 2015 season for the Redskins, but with the play of the team in recent weeks, you have to wonder who will be back next season. A year removed from a 3-13 campaign, what real progress has the team made?
Quarterback, defense and the offensive line were issues prior to Gruden's arrival, and they remain problem areas today.
Seeing his attempt to rebuild on the fly blow up in his face, owner Daniel Snyder may be forced to strip down his team completely if Washington doesn't show progress over the final three weeks of the season.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
