Return of Washington Running Game Has Redskins in NFC East Driver's Seat

It was the type of situation the running game was invented for. Up by three late in the fourth quarter, needing to kill the clock and ice the game, the Washington Redskins needed their rushing attack to beat the Chicago Bears in Week 14.

For a rare time this season, the Burgundy and Gold's generally anaemic ground game actually came through, giving Washington a first road win of the season. But it wasn't just the few Matt Jones clutch runs on two drives inside the final three minutes that really made the difference in a 24-21 game for the Redskins.

Instead, the 33 total rushing attempts and 99 yards Washington had in Week 14 put this team in the NFC East driver's seat. They can also keep the Redskins there.

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press/Associated Press

Not only did those attempts wear down the Bears' defense, boss the time of possession battle and account for two of Washington's three touchdowns, but they also gave the Redskins the one essential commodity every pro offense covets. Namely, balance.

While they ran the ball 33 times, the Redskins also threw 31 passes. The nearly perfect symmetry let quarterback Kirk Cousins hit on all but seven throws and tally 300 yards through the air for only the fifth time this season.

Balance on offense is the main reason Washington rebounded from Week 13's depressing defeat to the Dallas Cowboys and won on the road for the first time. It was most obvious on the game's opening drive, a superbly designed and called, season-long, 15-play marathon ESPN.com's John Keim endorsed:

Keim hit on a key reason behind the improvement on the ground this week. For a rare time, head coach Jay Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay committed to the running game and stayed committed.

Gruden's favorite pastime as a play-caller is wilting after a two-yard run, pushing the panic button and demanding Cousins airs it out again. But when playing winter 'ball in the Windy City, Gruden wisely stuck with the throwback game plan.

Alfred Morris' workload on the opening drive proved that commitment, per Liz Clarke of the Washington Post:

A run-heavy drive was a great start to Washington's ground-based revival. But what really made the plan click was the more even distribution of carries between Morris and rookie Jones.

Morris was the hot hand on the game's first drive. But No. 46 lugged the rock only three more times the rest of the day. By game's end, Jones finished with 18 carries compared to Morris' 11 totes.

The Redskins made a big deal about their "hot hand" approach after last week. But as previously pointed out, the better approach is one that creates busy days for both of Washington's primary backs.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

With Jones and Morris working the Bears over, the Redskins had variety on the ground, just like they had for the rest of their offense.

Variety meant showing the Bears a ton of different looks and executing a wide range of concepts to keep defenders guessing.

For the running game, there were overloaded offensive lines and even some I-formation with fullback Darrel Young on the field (trust me). There were also some zone reads and rushing opportunities for Cousins.

No. 8 scored Washington's second touchdown on a three-yard keeper that had virtually every member of Chicago's defense fooled, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post:

As Keim pointed out, this creative look is a clever rouse that surprises most defenses:

The team's official Twitter feed provided a highlight of the play:

CBS DC's Brian Tinsman detailed how Cousins' fourth rushing score leads the team. They are also the most running touchdowns for a Redskins QB "since Robert Griffin III’s seven in 2012."

Washington utilized different formations, personnel and play designs to successfully run the ball in Week 14. In the process, the Redskins achieved the balance on offense that will win games in the season's crunch period.

The trick now is for Gruden to maintain what worked on the ground when Washington hosts the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. If the Redskins follow this run-heavy formula through the last three weeks, they'll stay in the NFC East driver's seat.

All statistics and player information via NFL.com.

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