Studs
…P Hunter Smith. The man tried to help the defense with some excellent punts. Four of his five punts were downed inside the 20-yard line and he averaged 45.8 yards per punt with a net of 45.4. Can’t get much better than what he did Sunday.
…WR Santana Moss. The Redskins did a much better job of finding him, as they used quick throws and got him in space better. The touchdown play was well-designed, with Moss running across the field to an open area, cleared by two receivers occupying the middle. Moss is the lone legitimate playmaker on this offense. He finished with 10 catches for 178 yards and a 57-yard touchdown.
Duds
…QB Jason Campbell. He made some good plays, no doubt. But the interception really hurt — he never saw the defender standing right next to Moss. He also should have been picked off another time (it would have been a touchdown), but Anthony Henry dropped the ball. He almost needs to play perfect for this team to win.
…RT Stephon Heyer. He was beaten badly especially in the first half; he appeared to have some issues with the crowd noise. In one sequence he was slow off the line and then on the next play was flagged for a false start. Still don’t like how little his punches impact the rusher. Seems not to work at all.
…DT Cornelius Griffin. After two good games to open the season he was moved around too much inside. He played more right tackle than in the first two games with Albert Haynesworth sidelined.
…CB Carlos Rogers. Gotta get your hands on the guy at least sometimes. He allowed a touchdown pass; he did not seem to find the ball, and missed tackles. Could have been called for a pass interference penalty late.
…SS Chris Horton. He played fine for much of the game, but was called for a crucial pass interference penalty late in the game. Just misplayed the ball.
…DE Andre Carter. Lost contain on a few runs, coming too far inside. Not his best game, though he did hit the QB after one rush.
…DC Greg Blache. The Lions were never fooled, which means a rookie QB was never fooled. The Redskins blitzed seven guys a couple times and could not get to Stafford. The third down issues are major. Obviously it’s not all about him, but Sunday was not a good day for him.
…LG Derrick Dockery. Just another guard. Defenders are getting low on him and winning.
Stud/Dud (new category)
…RG Chad Rinehart. He struggled in the first quarter, once sliding out to the left only to get beat inside. And he got knocked into the backfield another time. But in the last three quarters he was not the problem. He got to the linebackers enough to open holes. The Rhino played better than I anticipated.
…LBs London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh. But only after the first quarter. In the second half they were much more physical and did a better job getting to through the line to take on blockers, especially McIntosh. He had a terrific collision that forced a fumble, recovered by Detroit. Fletcher left with a rib injury, but returned. Fletcher did take a poor angle on one third down pass play that resulted in a first down. And there were a couple times where the run fits did not appear to be correct.
