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Week sixteen is in the books and now we take a look at how the entire team fared against the Eagles. The Redskins are riding high after a blowout win for the division title. While high fives and kudos are easy to give out for this achievement, we still need to reflect on certain aspects of the game and render a weekly judgment. So now it is time to make some sense of it all as BBQ hands out grades and evaluations. Feel free to offer your own grades, evaluations, and opinions. Also, we have some questions to close out week sixteen.
Let’s take a look at the grades.
Quarterbacks:
You still like that. While there were a couple of negatives such as the kneel-down at the end of the first half and a three and out to start the game, we must recognize 31-46, 365 yards, and four touchdowns in a blowout win. At this juncture, Kirk Cousins is playing like he is the best quarterback in the league.
Grade: A-
Running Backs:
It’s safe to say that Alfred Morris is likely in his final weeks as a member of the Redskins. There were several opportunities to hit nice holes for significant yardage, but he failed to hit those gaps. Pierre Thomas (seven catches for sixty-seven yards) is quickly becoming a very valuable third down back and may see more touches. Chris Thompson was superb in limited duty.
Grade: C+
Wide Receivers:
The receivers were led by Pierre Garcon, but the defensive scheme that Chip Kelly designed was likely employed to limit the threat of DeSean Jackson. Other targets limited their production, but Kirk Cousins effectively utilized the running backs and tight end in the passing game. BBQ still awards the receivers with a high mark as they served as great “decoys”.
Grade: A
Tight Ends:
Over the last three games, Jordan Reed has been able to produce twenty-five catches on twenty-seven targets, five touchdowns, and 333 yards receiving. He delivered another dominating performance. We have nothing else to add.
Grade: A+
Offensive Line:
Just like the previous week, they weren’t perfect, but darn close. We know about Trent Williams. Brandon Scherff is quickly becoming an elite guard. Morgan Moses is just a beast. Even Josh LeRibeus is looking good. Take a look as these three in action from last Saturday night.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line:
This unit totally shut down the Eagles running game and created havoc in the passing game with four sacks and plenty of quarterback hurries and hits. We could argue that Sam Bradford had 365 yards passing, but that offense is designed to pass first, pass often, and do so quickly. Also, much of it came in “garbage” time. Under a more traditional offense, the defensive line would probably have a hand in 150 fewer yards passing.
Grade: A-
Linebackers:
We credited the defensive line with four sacks, but three of them came from a linebacker (Preston Smith) who lined up opposite the offensive line. Will Compton had a sack and another monster game, but we can’t overlook the contributions of Mason Foster, Ryan Kerrigan, and Trent Murphy.
Grade: A
Cornerbacks:
The corners had some struggles throughout the game and were badly exposed on some plays. It is fortunate that several overthrows bailed them out. Bashaud Breeland had a solid game, but Quinton Dunbar struggled mightily. Facing the Eagles offense is a huge challenge for any corner and the hope is that Dunbar learned a few things.
Grade: C
Safeties:
You can’t be unhappy when your free safety scores a touchdown. You can be unhappy when they have zero interceptions and zero passes deflected. In other words, they helped to contain the running game, but struggled in pass defense.
Grade: C+
Special Teams:
The special teams had a fairly bad night (especially in the first half) and made a number of mental mistakes. A missed extra point. Holding on a decent kickoff return. Fielding punts around the five yard line. At least two poor snaps on two kicking attempts. All of that was, quite frankly, ugly. Fortunately, the second half was better all-around and if it wasn’t for a victory, this unit would’ve scored one full grade lower.
Grade: C-
Coaching:
The defense was well prepared in the trenches and the front seven was stellar, but the secondary had some issues and blown assignments. The offense was firing on all cylinders, but the running game did struggle a bit. Special teams continues to be an Achilles heel - even as Dustin Hopkins and Tress Way continue to impress.
Grade: B+
How would you grade each position and the coaching staff? After this showing against the Eagles, are you thinking that the Redskins can win a playoff game? Maybe more? Kirk Cousins continues to impress. Has he erased all doubts? Can anyone stop Jordan Reed? What Redskins gifts did you get and/or give for the holiday? What will the strategy be for the game against the Cowboys? Rest the starters? Play them? What are you expecting against the Cowboys? On to week seventeen the final game of the regular season.
Have a happy, healthy, prosperous, safe, and wonderful new year.
See you again next week with grades, evaluations, and questions.
Hail to the Redskins!
Let’s take a look at the grades.
Quarterbacks:
You still like that. While there were a couple of negatives such as the kneel-down at the end of the first half and a three and out to start the game, we must recognize 31-46, 365 yards, and four touchdowns in a blowout win. At this juncture, Kirk Cousins is playing like he is the best quarterback in the league.
Grade: A-
Running Backs:
It’s safe to say that Alfred Morris is likely in his final weeks as a member of the Redskins. There were several opportunities to hit nice holes for significant yardage, but he failed to hit those gaps. Pierre Thomas (seven catches for sixty-seven yards) is quickly becoming a very valuable third down back and may see more touches. Chris Thompson was superb in limited duty.
Grade: C+
Wide Receivers:
The receivers were led by Pierre Garcon, but the defensive scheme that Chip Kelly designed was likely employed to limit the threat of DeSean Jackson. Other targets limited their production, but Kirk Cousins effectively utilized the running backs and tight end in the passing game. BBQ still awards the receivers with a high mark as they served as great “decoys”.
Grade: A
Tight Ends:
Over the last three games, Jordan Reed has been able to produce twenty-five catches on twenty-seven targets, five touchdowns, and 333 yards receiving. He delivered another dominating performance. We have nothing else to add.
Grade: A+
Offensive Line:
Just like the previous week, they weren’t perfect, but darn close. We know about Trent Williams. Brandon Scherff is quickly becoming an elite guard. Morgan Moses is just a beast. Even Josh LeRibeus is looking good. Take a look as these three in action from last Saturday night.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line:
This unit totally shut down the Eagles running game and created havoc in the passing game with four sacks and plenty of quarterback hurries and hits. We could argue that Sam Bradford had 365 yards passing, but that offense is designed to pass first, pass often, and do so quickly. Also, much of it came in “garbage” time. Under a more traditional offense, the defensive line would probably have a hand in 150 fewer yards passing.
Grade: A-
Linebackers:
We credited the defensive line with four sacks, but three of them came from a linebacker (Preston Smith) who lined up opposite the offensive line. Will Compton had a sack and another monster game, but we can’t overlook the contributions of Mason Foster, Ryan Kerrigan, and Trent Murphy.
Grade: A
Cornerbacks:
The corners had some struggles throughout the game and were badly exposed on some plays. It is fortunate that several overthrows bailed them out. Bashaud Breeland had a solid game, but Quinton Dunbar struggled mightily. Facing the Eagles offense is a huge challenge for any corner and the hope is that Dunbar learned a few things.
Grade: C
Safeties:
You can’t be unhappy when your free safety scores a touchdown. You can be unhappy when they have zero interceptions and zero passes deflected. In other words, they helped to contain the running game, but struggled in pass defense.
Grade: C+
Special Teams:
The special teams had a fairly bad night (especially in the first half) and made a number of mental mistakes. A missed extra point. Holding on a decent kickoff return. Fielding punts around the five yard line. At least two poor snaps on two kicking attempts. All of that was, quite frankly, ugly. Fortunately, the second half was better all-around and if it wasn’t for a victory, this unit would’ve scored one full grade lower.
Grade: C-
Coaching:
The defense was well prepared in the trenches and the front seven was stellar, but the secondary had some issues and blown assignments. The offense was firing on all cylinders, but the running game did struggle a bit. Special teams continues to be an Achilles heel - even as Dustin Hopkins and Tress Way continue to impress.
Grade: B+
How would you grade each position and the coaching staff? After this showing against the Eagles, are you thinking that the Redskins can win a playoff game? Maybe more? Kirk Cousins continues to impress. Has he erased all doubts? Can anyone stop Jordan Reed? What Redskins gifts did you get and/or give for the holiday? What will the strategy be for the game against the Cowboys? Rest the starters? Play them? What are you expecting against the Cowboys? On to week seventeen the final game of the regular season.
Have a happy, healthy, prosperous, safe, and wonderful new year.
See you again next week with grades, evaluations, and questions.
Hail to the Redskins!