Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins: Full Report Card Grades for Washington
At last, at last, Washington Redskins fans have been granted mercy. With a 44-17 loss at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, their fans can officially put a dismal 2014 campaign in the rearview mirror.
The fifth time in six years that it's finished with a losing record, Washington had no answer for Dallas' offense early on. In the first half alone, it allowed 27 points and 310 yards of offense.
Much like the season as a whole, this loss doesn't fall solely on the team's defense. The Redskins had four turnovers and scored just one touchdown in four red-zone trips.
But you want specifics, though. So let's delve in then. Here are the full report card grades for Washington.
Quarterback
1 of 10
Robert Griffin III has been marred by inconsistency all season, and Week 17 was no different.
While his stat total of 336 yards on 27 of 41 attempts seems impressive, Griffin was again skittish passing from the pocket.
Indecisive on one throw and staring down his target on the other, he threw two interceptions in the red zone. Additionally, he had a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
Leaning heavily on short passes, Griffin's three longest gains on the day came via screens. Unwilling to trust his protection—in some instances, rightfully so—he overlooked receivers downfield in lieu of hitting his checkdowns.
Although he's still nowhere near the rushing threat he was as a rookie, Griffin did extend his share of plays with his legs and in turn finished with 19 yards rushing and a touchdown.
A wasted season in terms of development, it's no longer a certainty that RG3 will be in Washington in 2015, let alone the team's starting quarterback. And his showing in the season finale is the biggest example of why that is.
Grade: C-
Running Back
2 of 10
It's often said that running backs grow stronger as the game progresses. Given head coach Jay Gruden's penchant for abandoning the run, though, this isn't a theory Alfred Morris gets to test very often.
This game was no different. Morris finished the game with just 12 carries, which he turned into 43 yards. As a team, the Redskins ran for 104 yards at a clip of 4.3 yards per carry.
Returning from a two-game hiatus, Roy Helu had 42 yards on six carries. Between him and Morris, the duo combined for six receptions and 60 yards in the passing game.
Lacking the requisite touches, partially because of circumstance, the opportunity really wasn't there for the team's running backs to have banner days.
Grade: C
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
You could say Washington's receivers really earned their yards this week. With Dallas conceding underneath throws, the opportunity was there for the 'Skins to accumulate yards after the catch. And boy did they cease it.
Aided by some great blocking, both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon sprung free on screens for gains north of 45 yards, with Jackson's 69-yard reception going for a score.
It must be said, though, that this was the extent of their contributions on the afternoon. Both Jackson and Garcon had two catches apiece.
Evoking memories of his rookie season, it was Jordan Reed who picked up the most work. Leading the team with nine receptions, Reed finished with 70 yards receiving. And if not for a Cowboys defender attempting to tackle him by grabbing his helmet, he'd have a touchdown as well.
Possibly the last time he'll wear a Washington uniform, veteran Santana Moss had a season-high-tying three receptions for 25 yards.
Grade: B-
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
Give Washington's offensive line credit. Until injury hit, the beleaguered offensive front looked unrecognizable from the porous unit we've seen all season.
Albeit a small sample size, Griffin wasn't hit or sacked at all in the first half. Then on cue, injury hit, and at the worst spot.
Without the services of its top offensive lineman, Trent Williams, for stretches in the second half, Washington allowed three sacks and five quarterback hits. As for the running game, it was hit or miss.
Take away the long rushes on the day of Helu and Morris, a total of 37 yards, and the team's average rush is barely over three yards a carry.
An uneven performance overall, Week 17 marks another mediocre performance from Washington's men up front.
Grade: C-
Defensive Line
5 of 10
Dallas' running game gave the Redskins fits in their first matchup, and it was much of the same this week.
On 26 carries, Dallas ran for 174 yards. Setting his team's franchise record for rushing yards in a season, DeMarco Murray was responsible for 100 yards of this total.
As for the other 74 yards, well, Joseph Randle accounted for 69 yards on one carry! Taking into account Lance Dunbar's 80-yard touchdown run that was called back, Washington's defensive line was dominated at the point of attack in this one.
Grade: D+
Linebackers
6 of 10
Tied to the 6.7 yards per carry Dallas averaged, tackling was an issue for the Redskins linebackers. On Murray's nine-yard touchdown alone, he broke multiple tackles, as Chris Russell of ESPN Radio 980 notes:
"DeMarco Murray just broke seven tackles in nine yards for a touchdown for the #Cowboys. #Redskins trail 27-7
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) December 28, 2014"
As for the pass rush, the team had to blitz to generate pressure. Unlike Week 8, though, the blitz didn't get to the quarterback.
The 'Skins managed just three quarterback hits and one sack. Returning from a three-game absence, it was Keenan Robinson who garnered the lone sack. Finishing the day with 10 tackles, Robinson played a role in the team limiting Jason Witten to four receptions.
Making his first career start, rookie Jackson Jeffcoat intercepted Tony Romo, the team's only forced turnover.
Unable to disrupt Dallas' passing attack for much of the day, Washington's linebackers can't escape with a positive grade here.
Grade: D+
Secondary
7 of 10
After this performance, Washington might want to find out if David Amerson can indeed play safety. He was that bad in Week 17. Amerson was Romo's target of choice for much of the afternoon, and for good reason.
Neutralized by Bashaud Breeland in Week 8, Dez Bryant lined up on Amerson's side this time out. He finished with 99 yards on four receptions, with his 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown being the highlight. A pass he caught near the line of scrimmage, it was an Amerson missed tackle that led to Bryant's touchdown.
But wait, there's more. He also surrendered a 51-yard reception to Terrance Williams. The poster boy for poor coverage and tackling, Amerson, and the pass defense as a whole, has made it blatantly clear: Washington's top priority in the offseason has to be upgrading the secondary.
Grade: D-
Special Teams
8 of 10
When it comes to the Washington special teams, something always goes astray. For the second time in three weeks, an opposing team recovered an onside kick.
But let's think positive. The team was actually solid in kick coverage. Dallas averaged just six yards per punt return and the long kickoff return was 32 yards. Not great, but this is Washington's special teams we're talking about after all.
As for the team's own return game, well, it was better off taking the touchback. The 'Skins averaged just 19.8 yards per kickoff return.
A problem spot a season ago, the team can take solace in the fact that with Tress Way and Kai Forbath, it's set at the kicking positions going into the offseason.
Grade: C-
Coaching
9 of 10
In his postgame comments, via Chris Russell of ESPN Radio 980, Gruden all but gave us the rubric for grading his coaching staff:
"Jay Gruden "You're judged by wins and losses." At 4-12, he says obviously a failing grade.
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) December 28, 2014"
Falling by 27 points, it goes without saying that he didn't get the job done in this loss. Despite the fact that his defense was fatigued, Washington's defense was on the field for 31 of the game's first 40 plays. Gruden was too content being conservative on offense.
Opposed to calling plays that could potentially extend drives, he consistently ran plays that were short of the sticks. Then there's his disdain for the running game. The Redskins had 41 throws to 24 runs. Some balance, right?
Unable to lean on the play-action passing game, Griffin predictably had a tough go at things in the second half, particularly in the red zone.
Looking to the defense, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett simply went away from what was successful in these teams' earlier matchups.
Opposed to blitzing, the 'Skins either dropped in a zone or conceded underneath throws by playing off-coverage. Considering that neither the pass rush nor the tackling of this team is adequate enough to run such a scheme, Haslett's decision to employ such a game plan was confounding.
While he deserves kudos for making this adjustment after intermission, 457 yards and 44 points allowed isn't going to put him anywhere near the honor roll. In fact, it very well may place him in the unemployment line.
Grade: D-
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Unit | Overall Grade |
| QB | C- |
| RB | C |
| WR/TE | B- |
| OL | C- |
| DL | D+ |
| LB | D+ |
| Secondary | D- |
| Special Teams | C- |
| Coaching | D- |
| Cumulative Grade | D+ |
So much for progress. The Weeks 16 and 17 editions of the Redskins couldn't look any more different. And therein lies the problem. Consistency continues to elude this team. While injuries certainly play a part in this, 16 games into the Gruden era, this team still lacks an identity.
So while the offseason will bring its share of upgrades in the personnel department, without a clear vision as to what type of team Washington wants to sport, the 'Skins will continue to be mired in mediocrity.
All stats courtesy of ESPN.com.
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