Philadelphia 30 - 17 Washington

 

It's a late hello to all my friends. I am JimmiJo and I am joined by my partner; Spaceman Spiff.

 

Together we will bring you the sights and sounds of today's game. I love the first game of the year. It is full of promise and expectancy. All records are even and this is where we begin to define the legacy.

 

So what to expect from this game and this team? For the first time in a long time I am not sure what to expect. I don't think we saw anything like the real team in preseason. Then too, I think we did witness some of the shortcomings:

 

- New receiving corps has brought the challenge of working with a QB on timing and anticipation

- The run game continues to be a riddle head coach Jay Gruden cannot solve. This has been the case since he arrived.

- And what of the defense? There is talent more so than we have seen for some time. Let's hope that talent can gel into a cohesive unit.

 

So late start, let me get going here.

 

Stand by...

Inactives

 

- 34 Mack Brown

- 38 Joshua Holsey

- 40 Josh Harvey-Clemmons

- 68 Tyler Catalina

- 69 T.J. Clemmons

- 72 Anthony Lanier II

- 87 Jeremy Sprinkle

 

Kickoff

 

Color me nervous.

 

Half

 

All the bad stuff I feared happened in that half. Turnovers. Anemic offense. Lack of preparedness. Philadelphia jumping out to a lead.

But then something happened. Opportune plays. Mistakes by Eagles, and the offense finally woke up.

 

 

We have a game folks.

 

JimmiJo

 

You didn’t have to watch the game to know who won. A quick glance at the stats tells the story:

 

- First Downs Eagles 19 – 16 Redskins
- Third Down Efficiency Eagles 8/14 57% - Redskins 3/11 27%
- Total Net Yards Eagles 356 – Redskins 264
- Fumbles/Lost Eagles 1-1 – Redskins 3-3
- Touchdowns 3 – Redskins 2
- Field Goals Eagles 3-3 – Redskins 1-1
- Time of Possession Eagles 34:16 – Redskins 25:44

It was a game of catch up from the start. Washington’s offense could not get in gear at first. Except for a few drives it never really did. Meanwhile Philadelphia scored on their opening drive. Two drives later, the Eagles took advantage of a muffed Redskins’ punt to match down and score again. A missed extra point made things interesting for a time.

 

Kirk Cousins did little to justify a shiny new contract. He finished the day 23/40 for 240-yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception and a passer rating of 72.9. His accuracy was poor. He often threw over the receivers, or behind them. The pick at the end of the game was unforgivable.

 

 

Cousins said after the game he was trying to lead Terrell Pryor III to a spot which was never going to amount to anything.

 

The rushing attack did little to help. Washington amassed 64-yards rushing. Rob Kelley logged 30-yards on 10-carries. Cousins contributed, rushing for 30-yards on 4-carries.

The Redskins will need help from the backs if this is going to work.

 

Washington’s defense was the highlight for the Redskins. They pressured Carson Wentz throughout the game. Wentz was sacked twice, hit nine times and with four tackles-for-loss.

 

 

 

But it was the busted plays that got Washington in hot water. The first touchdown was on a busted play. So was the big conversion for first down with just over 8-minutes to go.

 

But the defense did enough to allow the Redskins to hang around. So much so that it looked like the Redskins were set to take the lead again early in the fourth quarter. On third-and-six with Washington set to take the lead, Cousins overthrew Jamison Crowder and was picked at the goal line by Jalen Mills.

 

On one play Washington when from at least a 1-point lead to watching the Eagles begin another march downfield.

 

The Redskins’ defense would hold the Eagles on that drive. Ditto the one following.

 

But Washington can only hold off bad luck for so long.

 

The Eagles marched to the Redskins’ 20-yard line before stalling. They added a field foal to their 2-point lead to go up five at the two minute warning.

 

Washington began their drive at their own 25. On 2nd and 3, Cousins was hit, then appear to have the ball knocked out of his hand by Fletcher Cox, who then picked up the ball and took it in the end zone for the score. Reviews of the play showed Cousins was going forward to throw.

 

The referees saw it different however and upheld the call, making it 30-17, which is how the game ended.

 

Anyone who watched the Redskins’ preseason had concerns about this game. Washington lacked urgency throughout the preseason. They had very little time together as a unit before today, and it showed.

 

I was concerned when I realized both the number 1 and 2 receivers were leaving the team. Today I believe we saw that lack of chemistry and timing. The good news is time should produce a better product.

 

Until then however, we are going to have to suffer through an inconsistent offense and our share of losses.

 

I had a fabulous time today, though I was not able to get audio beyong the coach and Cousins. I will see you for the next home game.

 

Hail.