Week Seventeen Grades, Evaluations, Questions
Week seventeen is in the books and now we take a look at how the entire team fared against the Cowboys. The Redskins continued their winning ways and now they are riding a four game streak. It should be noted that yearly grades and evaluations will be postponed by at least one week as BBQ is in playoff mode. 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 seventeen.
Let’s take a look at the grades.
Quarterbacks:
For the first time this season we are grading two quarterbacks. Kirk Cousins continued to look great as he tossed three touchdown passes and added another Redskins record to his resume. Colt McCoy started a bit slow, but had a steady afternoon with mostly handoffs and a couple of good passing plays – one for a touchdown. Together, they had more than 300 yards passing.
Grade: A-
Running Backs:
Alfred Morris returned to his old form and had a triple digit running day. Chris Thompson had a couple of key rushes and Pierre Thomas gained just enough yardage to seal the win and allow the offense to finish with a “victory formation”.
Grade: A
Wide Receivers:
The receivers were led by Jamison Crowder who had his best day as a Redskin thus far. It is likely that the numbers would be higher for those who played early, but the plan was to rest and bench. Overall, the group was solid.
Grade: A
Tight Ends:
Jordan Reed had four catches on four targets – that’s twenty-nine catches on thirty-one targets over the last four games and 378 yards. Alex Smith did a fine job with blocking after Reed left the game.
Grade: A
Offensive Line:
The line was minus Trent Williams this week, but Ty Nsekhe did an excellent job at left tackle as he held the explosive Greg Hardy to zero sacks – not bad at all for an Arena Football League journeyman. The line overall was impressive, especially on the right side – you know who they are and what they have done.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line:
This is what you need to know. The defensive line did a fine job as the Redskins built a 24-0 lead until late in the first half. At that juncture, the opposing quarterback was 6-10 with an interception and a fumble. Chris Baker had a sack.
Grade: A
Linebackers:
Read the above statement about the defensive line, then add Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan with sacks. Will Compton had an interception.
Grade: A
Cornerbacks:
Rinse and repeat from the two previous units. However, the younger corners struggled a bit in the latter stages of the first half and even more so with injuries in the second half.
Grade: B-
Safeties:
The safeties were hampered with injuries, but did hold their own in the first half. DeAngelo Hall continues to lend leadership and talent as a free safety, but Jeron Johnson continues to struggle.
Grade: C+
Special Teams:
The special teams did a complete reversal from the previous week and had a solid game. No missed extra points. Booming punts. Accuracy from the placekicker. No debilitating penalties. Great kickoffs and coverage.
Grade: A
Coaching:
The offense and defense early on did their jobs. The objective was to jump out to a sizable lead and allow certain players to leave early and have them ready for the playoffs. Special teams played a sound game. However, one key player was injured and will miss the playoff game this Sunday. Overall, it was a good game plan and worked to near perfection. This is why the grades are higher for most positions and the coaches deserve the same standard.
Grade: A
How would you grade each position and the coaching staff? After this showing against the Cowboys are you impressed with the overall depth of the team? Kirk Cousins continues his impressive season. Has earned an elite contract? Again, we must ask - can anyone stop Jordan Reed? What will the strategy be for the game against the Packers? What are you expecting on Sunday? On to the playoffs as we close out the regular season. BBQ had sixteen predictions for this season and now we must add another one.
The Redskins start quickly and maintain a steady lead throughout the game. A surge in the fourth quarter puts it away.
Redskins 41 Packers 21
See you again next week with grades, evaluations, and questions.
Hail to the Redskins!
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