All posts in football

16Aug

Redskins backups lose to Bengals backups in meaningless exhibition

The Washington Redskins dropped their preseason homer opener to the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-13. That said, roughly 10 minutes after the game ended, the vast majority of the football-loving world forgot everything about this irrelevant practice game.

One play that ‘Skins fans won’t purge from memory though was the first touchdown pass by Redskins rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr., who staved off a defender long enough to launch a beautiful pass deep downfield to receiver Robert Davis for a 55-yard touchdown that was unquestionably the highlight of the night.

This preseason has been a bit of a rocky start for Haskins, who looks very much like a newcomer with limited experience trying to learn on the fly. But plays like this, when he’s able to stay calm and composed in the face of pressure, will go a long way towards establishing the Ohio State standout’s confidence moving forward.

23Dec

Redskins officially eliminated from playoffs. Again.

The Washington Redskins were hoping for a holiday miracle as they traveled to Nashville three days before Christmas. That’s because, after losing four out of five games, the Redskins needed to win and — and get help from others ahead of them in the standings — just to back into a playoff berth. And while no one likes to see opposing players get injured, Washington had to feel encouraged after knocking Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota out of the game.

But much like everything else that’s gone on during the second half of the season, the Redskins were unable to take advantage of the situation and ultimately saw their slim postseason dreams dashed by below average back-up Blaine Gabbert. While a weekend in the Music City is always enjoyable. These are three hours that most ‘Skins fans would love to get back.

17Dec

The Josh Johnson feel-good story continues.

Imagine, if you will, sitting down with a giant bowl of popcorn to watch the latest Hollywood hit. This sports drama takes place in our nation’s capital, where a downtrodden franchise finds itself quickly sinking to the depths of irrelevance once again after losing not one, but two separate quarterbacks to a broken leg. No team can withstand losing their top-two options at the sport’s most vital position, and an already bleak situation turns even more dire when the last man standing is most famously known for something called a “butt fumble.”

Predictably, that experiment goes horribly wrong in a hurry and a once-promising season looks to be spiraling out of control … until an unheralded journeyman of a quarterback is called into action and — while making his first start in seven years — performs at a level that far exceeds even his wildest dreams.

With no time for introductions and/or pleasantries, our no-name quarterback is asked to take command of a huddle of players whose names he literally learns by playing Madden 19. Amazingly, and against all odds, this scenario doesn’t lead to the next chapter in the franchise’s 20-year story of heartache and misery. It actually halts a four-game losing streak and gives fans a brief moment of joy as they watch this ragtag bunch grind out a much-needed win.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, if this is a dream, no one wake up Josh Johnson.

23Nov

This November, Redskins have little to give thanks for.

For decades, the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys have represented one of the best rivalries in all of sports. And while neither franchise is anywhere close to rekindling the glory days, the NFL’s schedule makers can’t help but feel nostalgic when it comes to these two teams because, more and more frequently, they find themselves pitted against one another in primetime games.

With that in mind, I once again ditched my loved one and traveled to Jerry’s World to cover yet another Thanksgiving Day matchup. This year’s edition featured a juice storyline, with Texas’ own Colt McCoy thrust into action after the Redskins lost starting quarterback Alex Smith to a gruesome season-ending injury just days earlier. Could McCoy punctuate his return to the Lone Star state with a career-defining win or would the Cowboys get revenge on the Redskins for an early-season loss by putting Colt out to pasture?

12Nov

An ugly win is still a win, right?

The Washington Redskins might have left town with a 16-3 victory, but it couldn’t have happened without a heavy dose of ineptitude from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Buccaneers’ offense up and down the field with relative ease, but drive after drive stalled due to self-inflicted errors. On a day when Tampa racked up 500 yards of total offense, they finished the game with more turnovers (four) than points (three).

While “Fitzmagic” was the talk of the league at the beginning of the season, racking up 400 passing yards in each of Tampa’s first three games while filling in for James Winston, this poor offensive showing will more than likely relegate the veteran quarterback to backup status once again.

Meanwhile, the Redskins have somehow managed to do just enough so far this season to find themselves in first place in the NFC East with a 6-3 record. No one is suggesting that they’re a lock for the postseason, but ‘Skins fans won’t complain about a few lucky bounces going Washington’s way for a change.

05Nov

Injuries, mental mistakes prove costly as Redskins fall to Falcons

The Washington Redskins jumped out to an encouraging start to the 2018 season thanks in large part to stout defense and just enough offense. Unfortunately, on a day when the defense finally faltered, the offense was incapable of picking up the slack and the results weren’t pretty.

Adding insult to literal injury, Sunday’s 38-14 blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons may have long-term ramifications as two more offensive linemen joined Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams on the injured list. At this point, if you’re a hefty gentleman and you live anywhere near the nation’s capital, now might be a good time to update your resume.

Meanwhile, Washington’s modest three-game winning streak is over and the Redskins now stand at 5-3.

09Oct

Redskins have no answers as Saints go marching on. And on.

All was right with the Washington Redskins after the steamrolled Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers during their Week 3 matchup. Sadly, one week later, it all came crashing down and it definitely hurt inside, even if Hulk Hogan was nowhere to be found.

While things couldn’t have gone much worse for Washington, Drew Brees and friends had a night to remember — as the future Hall of Famer became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards in dramatic fashion, thanks to a 62-yard bomb to wideout Tre’Quan Smith.

The Redskins were such an afterthought in this game that, once Brees set the record, they actually stopped the game, recognized Brees and even found time to play a congratulatory video message from Peyton Manning, the previous record holder. Seeing how the Redskins were spectators for much of the night, taking a few extra moments to acknowledge actual greatness clearly wasn’t a problem with anyone in attendance.

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