As I prepared to study the Washington Redskins' offense on tape, I was anxious to see how head coach Jay Gruden was utilizing former Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson. A year ago, all the reports out of the nation’s capital voiced the receiver’s frustrations with the offense and his role, but since returning from injury a few weeks ago he’s been on an absolute tear.
Jackson is averaging 18.8 yards per catch this season, a number matched by just four players with at least 26 receptions (Sammy Watkins, Torrey Smith and Malcom Floyd). Everyone knows how electric he is in the open field, but what impressed me the most after watching Washington is that they really seem to have found the best ways to get him the ball down the field by creating favorable matchups or giving him room to run.