Thursday, November 2, 2017

Theo's Sports Corner by Theo Abbott


Washington Redskins are playing like an average football team and that is simply not going to cut it.

After six games, the Redskins record is (3-3). The Record says they are an average football team. However, they have shown flashes of greatness at times this season by handily beating the Oakland Raiders, showing poise in defeating the Los Angeles Rams, and coming within a dropped pass in the End Zone of upsetting the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, on this past Monday Night Football, after a promising start to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly, the Redskins came up small. They lost the game 34 - 24. The Redskins continue to struggle in the Red Zone scoring touchdowns, are not able to establish a strong running game, and are not converting many third down opportunities. I was lucky enough to be at the game in Philadelphia and saw firsthand the Redskins having troubles with execution in key moments.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins continues to put up good numbers. However, he threw an untimely interception at a crucial point in the game when the Redskins still had a chance to pull the game out. That will not work. With the loss, the Redskins are now two full games back of the Eagles in the NFC East Division and received a season loss sweep from Philly. It does not get any easier with the archrival Dallas Cowboys coming in town this weekend to play the Skins.

The good news is the Redskins have the talent to turn things around. Cousins has a number of weapons on offense to pass to including Chris Thompson, Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson, Ryan Grant and Terrelle Pryor. Yet, they all have to play at a high level for the Redskins offense to be successful. The team can definitely move the ball up and down the field but has to be able to score touchdowns and put points on the board.

As for the defense, the Redskins have to limit big plays. They definitely can get pressure on opposing quarterbacks but can’t let what happened in the Eagles games where quarterback Carson Wentz was able to escape the pocket a number of times after it seemed he was going to be sacked.

The next few games will be a big test for the Redskins to see if this team is legit. The goal of making the Playoffs is still attainable. However, it depends on what Redskins team shows up to play these games because being average will not cut it. If this team wants to go the Playoffs to be able to compete for a Super Bowl then the Redskins need to make a winning move now.

Theo Abbott
Contributing Writer

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