Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Redskins have struggled to an 0-2 start with losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers to begin the 2013 NFL season. The only consistency they’ve gotten has been from their defense which has been consistently horrible in the first two games. After losing to the Eagles because of Philadelphia’s dominance running the ball, Washington decided that it wanted to lose against the Packers through the air. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers obliged, lighting up the Redskins for 480 passing yards.
However, the Redskins have been able to show offensive proficiency in the second half of each game. Quarterback Robert Griffin III has been able to engineer scoring drives in each of the first two games. He has five touchdown passes in two games, which indicates his efficiency in leading the offense. After struggling against the Eagles, running back Alfred Morris found his stride against the Packers. He broke off a couple of long runs on his way to a 100 yard rushing day. Those long runs are encouraging to the Redskins, considering that Morris has a downhill, punishing running style that doesn’t focus much on speed.
Unfortunately, Griffin III and Morris’ offensive output has meant nothing thus far in 2013. That’s because it would have been beneficial to show this proficiency in the first halves of the Eagles’ and Packers’ games. Washington thus far has been good for scoring points that don’t matter, as well as gaining yards that don’t make their team better in 2013. That’s usually the case when you’re down at least three scores. It’s an alarming trend that the Redskins need to turn around fast if they want to salvage a season that could spiral out of control fast.
Week 3 won’t offer a breather for the Redskins, with the Detroit Lions paying a visit to Fed Ex Field. The Lions feature the league’s best wide receiver in Calvin Johnson. Detroit also features strong armed quarterback Matthew Stafford, as well as shifty running back Reggie Bush. The Redskins will have to quickly get on track offensively and defensively. If they can’t put together a complete game of quality Redskins’ football (read: a quality first and second half), an 0-3 start will be a foregone conclusion.
