In a game that they needed to win, the Washington Redskins fell short against the desperate Philadelphia Eagles, 20-13.
To be honest, that final score is not a fair assessment of how the Redskins played, the game should have been out of hand by the end of the first half.
But it wasn't, thanks mostly in part to the second-half play of the defense, who never gave up, even when their offense turned the ball over four times, failed to score a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter, and angered the home crowd on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
This interception by Rex Grossman (below) came immediately after the Redskins picked off Vince Young, who replaced quarterback Michael Vick, who was forced to sit out a few plays with a facemask full of dirt. The interception by DeAngelo Hall (on Young's throw) gave the Redskins great field position, with the possibility of kicking a field goal, closing the Eagles' lead.
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But the Redskins didn't score, they didn't really even threaten. They didn't really threaten the entire game while Rex Grossman was under center.
Now, I'm not going to bash Grossman in this article, he got enough of that yesterday. What I will focus on are things the Redskins as a team didn't do.
Yes, Grossman threw four interceptions (three of those went to Kurt Coleman) in three quarters of play (11 total turnovers thus far this season), but all the blame isn't on him.
1. The play-calling of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan resulted in a total of 12 running plays, two of which were by replacement quarterback John Beck late in the fourth quarter.
How do you cut down on interceptions? Run the ball.
How do you keep the defense honest? Run the ball.
How, in keeping the defense honest, do you open up the passing game? Run the ball.
Kyle Shanahan panicked and didn't run the ball.
2. The Redskins converted only one third-down attempt, going an abysmal 1/10 for the game. Here are a few third-down play calls which failed to result in a first down: two interceptions, a sack, a 3-yard pass, a pass play for a 1-yard loss.
Now, because Kyle Shanahan insisted on abandoning the run so early in the game, the Redskins' averaged needing to gain close to nine yards on third down, in order to extend their drive, an undeniably difficult task.
3. The Redskins defense, although they held the Eagles to 20 points and shut them out in the second half, failed at containing the Eagles' two most dynamic players: Vick and LeSean McCoy.
Last week, I highlighted the fact that McCoy is now the most dynamic player on the Eagles' team, with Vick running close behind him, no pun intended. McCoy rushed for a career-high 28 carries, 126 yards, a touchdown, and the vaunted belly-punch of Andy Reid.
Last week, I stressed the fact that the Redskins needed to pressure Vick within the scheme of their defense. If the defense over-pursued or lost scheme, Vick would run wild, extend plays, and most importantly, sway the time of possession in the Eagles' favor.
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Vick rushed the ball seven times, for 54 yards, including this 31-yard scamper (above) on 3rd-and-10, with less than six minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Vick also threw for 237 yards, with completions that seemed to go to unguarded, wide-open receivers.
Now, it's obvious that Grossman's turnovers directly led to more chances and opportunities for Vick and McCoy. But, the fact remains that McCoy and Vick controlled the game: 38 minutes time of possession for the Eagles, versus 22 minutes for the Redskins.
Next Week: the Redskins play another "struggling" team, the Carolina Panthers. This is another must-win for the Redskins, who, if they lose, basically wipe their slate clean, regressing to a .500 record and missing the opportunity of starting the season 3-1.
They play another dynamic quarterback in Cam Newton, with a core group of offensive weapons at every position. The Redskins must be focused and disciplined, and must demolish this young team. The need a decisive win.
(Jonathan Wigginton is the Chat Sports Senior Writer for the Washington Redskins)