Well, I expected better watching last night, but given what Gruden, Cousins and Co. have given us in primetime 'meaningful' games over the past 3 years perhaps I was just being too optimistic.
This team unlike the ones in 2015 and 2016 has been compromised by injuries, but the flat opening period performance was eerily similar to what we have seen in the past.
The Redskins had clear chances to take the lead early and show the Cowboys this was going to be a 60 minute fight they didn't want to be a part of.
It seemed as if Prescott and the Cowboys took the first body blows and then came alive when Dak was finally able to scramble forward for a first down on that drive that ended with Dallas' first touchdown.
From there on out, this game was effectively over.
What did the outcome convince me of?
1. The Redskins desperately need help at wide receiver. My analogy for Josh Doctson is Alvin Harper. Good for one or two big catches a game using his athleticism but not reliable as a chain-moving, possession saving wideout with the sure hands and confidence you see in a true
#1 .
To me he was a 'miss' in the first round. At
#22 you invest in a guy that RELISHES the competition, contact and physical nature of the game. Doctson to me doesn't like running over the middle or having to block on the outside. He is a show-pony.
Crowder had a catastrophically bad night for this team. He is usually reliable as a receiver so last night in that regard was the exception not the norm for him. But let's not kid ourselves. Jamison is a
#3 or
#4 receiver on a really good offense like New England or New Orleans or Atlanta.
So, in a way it's not his fault injuries have him playing way above his pay grade.
Also as a punt returner, Crowder has given us very little since being drafted in 2015. He may have been the NCAA punt return leader coming out but outside of that one return last year for a TD, he has a very poor return record and is one of the least productive returners in the NFC.
We need to admit reality here and find a replacement with true breakaway ability when they make that first guy miss and start to get upfield.
2. We have a LOT of outside linebackers on this team. Beyond Kerrigan, Smith, Anderson, Galette we also have Trent Murphy coming off injured reserve. But what we DON'T have is a dominant pass rusher who game in and game out is a guy that just ruins the day for the opposition. Kerrigan has 9-10 sacks and gets them in bunches, but tends to take advantage of the Erick Hicks' of the world to put up those stats. When he is going against a Tyron Smith or Lane Johnson quality tackle he tends to disappear.
Despite the previous investments in this position, if we are going to continue the 3-4 (which is a debate in and of itself) we need to draft or sign a legit pass rusher with higher ceiling/athleticism. We need our own Von Miller, Vic Beasley or even a DeMarcus Lawrence type that is 255-60 but can get around the edge on just about any tackle out there.
3. Kirk Cousins didn't lose this game by himself. He wasn't responsible for Crowder fumbling a punt. He wasn't responsible for the front seven on defense to begin to collapse mid-way through the second quarter. He also isn't responsible for Josh Docston dropping the slant pass.
But in these games where the Redskins look challenged to stem the tide on a game that could be going sideways, Kirk never seems to be able to right the ship with some calm, cool plays made on the next drive to 'restore order'.
Far too frequently, he gets caught up in the flush of the toilet bowl and starts to devolve with the rest of the team.
That's what Drew Brees, Brady and especially this year Philip Rivers have NOT done.
They settle people down on the sidelines and get guys focused back on the field. Kirk does not seem to have that ability to influence the play of his teammates in a positive way.
I remember Troy Brown saying players on the Patriots were a LOT more afraid to face a mad Brady on the field after dropping a pass or batting one up for an interception, etc. than in facing a hit by the corners or safeties.
Here, and part of it may be Jay Gruden's fault as well, players make mistakes and they apologize for them but they never really seem to give off any inkling that they are worried about these plays having an effect on their status with the club.
It seems the Redskins culture is too accepting and forgiving at times.
And I think on the field that starts with the QB.
The QB has to show that same toughness. Throwing another interception and fumbling twice after the Crowder miss/interception early on, didn't do much to help Kirk turn this one back around.
The performance last night follows similar performances last year against Dallas, Carolina and the NY Giants where the Redskins were far healthier than last night and Kirk had the services of DeShaun Jackson and Pierre Garcon.
So, this prime time failure can't all be laid at the feet of injuries.
It just seems to be Kirk.
When things start to not go well against solid to good teams in primetime, Kirk seems to come up small.
Last night I just think an Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees would have found a way to keep this team online and in contention to win at the end.