Here are the five biggest takeaways from the Washington Redskins’ 27-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks:
1. That great mobile quarterback, just not ours.
Russell Wilson is the epitome of what all Redskins fans hope Robert Griffin III will become again. He burned the Redskins defense early when contain was not maintained, gashing them for big play runs on the first drive that ended in a touchdown. The read option always had the defense questioning their positioning. Wilson ran for 122 yards, a Monday Night Football record, where many yards were after contact and missed tackles. The Redskins at time did a great job with their base defense but having to account for a quarterback that can extend plays was too tough. Wilson was able to escape from pressure late in the first half and deliver a strike to Cooper Helfet to set himself up for a walk in touchdown off of a naked bootleg. The other magical play Wilson had that more or less ended the game was a third and four play when Wilson escaped the pressure from Ryan Kerrigan and company. Then he was able to keep his eyes down field and find an open Lynch who had break contain. Unfortunately for the Redskins, Brian Orakpo was held on the play but not penalty was called. All in all the Redskins got beat by a legendary performance from a quarterback that is reaching elite status.
2. Kirk Cousins plays erratically.
After getting the ball for the first time already down by a touchdown, Cousins executed a basic game plan to pick up a couple of first downs helped by some successful hard counts. After the drive stalled after a conservative execution on a third and twelve, Cousins struggled for many more drives until his team was in a 17 point hole. After some great runs by Alfred Morris, the play action bomb was set up for Desean Jackson and Cousins delivered the ball on the money to bring back some life to the team. However, between that play and the end of the game, besides another long pass to Desean Jackson, Cousins still struggled to move the offense against arguably the best defense in the league. He did however turn it around in the latter stages of the game in the no huddle by orchestrating a touchdown drive, although the Seattle defense could have been playing prevent. Cousins improved to have a better game than last week against and even better defense, but his time as starting quarterback might be running out with Griffin coming back possibly in the next month.
3. Defense and special teams gets torched during big moments, but had their moments.
The defense allowed the Seahawks to march right down the field and put up a touchdown on the board after Wilson torches them with both his legs and arm. With a lack of discipline on wrapping up, the Seahawks put up 17 points even though they were repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot with penalties. The specials team did not help the cause either as when they allowed returns they gave up big yardage, otherwise they would have to kick it out of bounds and short. Even on a surprise onside kick it was too long and they could not stop a game changing fake field goal rush that led to a touchdown. The defense did have a great stretch during the third quarter where they made adjustments to force multiple three and outs, but the field position game was not in favor of the Redskins and the offense could get anything going until very late. Again, the defense was on the field for ten more game minutes than they were off and were clearly fatigued with limited depth at all positions.
4. Biggest bright spot? Desean Jackson.
Desean Jackson was easily the brightest star for the Redskins as you hauled in two deep balls both against Kam Chancellor one for a 60 yard touchdown and another 57 yard strike. He ended with five catches for 157 yards. If he can continue to stretch the defense, he will open things up for Alfred Morris as well as for possibly Andre Roberts, Pierre Garcon, and Jordan Reed underneath.
5. Unlike last week the outlook for next week seems hopeful.
The Redskins are again on a short week with many minor injuries: Tyler Polumbus dislocated finger, Brain Orakpo twisted ankle, Perry Riley MCL knee sprain, Ryan Clark ankle sprain. There seems to be progress being made for the team as a whole though, but they will not be facing a defense that is much easier to play against in the Cardinals next week. However, the defense could be licking their chops at a chance to get after a local rookie in Logan Thomas, who might have to start if Drew Stanton does not clear the concussion protocol and Carson Palmer continues to be sidelined with a shoulder injury. It will still not be easy facing Andre Ellington, Larry Fitzgerald, and company, but it is without a doubt a better matchup.