1. Minnesota’s defensive front controlled the game. It’s not surprising that Washington couldn’t run the ball; not with Clinton Portis and Ryan Torain both out. And those of you who don’t think they miss Portis, think again. Anyway, the backs struggled to make proper cuts at times, or were off in their timing. Considering who was running the ball, that’s to be expected. The other part was the Vikings’ front. Washington’s offensive line had a difficult time getting off combination blocks as the Vikings’ linemen gained control. That left their linebackers free to sprint to the hole and prevent any runs from breaking. The result? No run longer than four yards. Four yards! If the line had come off their combination blocks earlier, it would have been worse. Basically, they have to choose between a one-yard gain or a three-yard gain. Check that; today, it was like choosing between a two-yard loss and a two-yard gain. That was the fear going into the game, that Minnesota’s line would be too strong for this front. It wasn’t just the interior as the tackles were knocked back on occasion, too. Regardless, nobody got to the linebackers.
2. Minnesota’s offensive front was effective. The Redskins say they weren’t getting pushed off the ball. Ummmm, not sure about that one. Had Adrian Peterson played all game I shudder at the numbers he might have piled up. Toby Gerhart had struggled this year, but he managed 76 yards on 22 carries. The Redskins got very little penetration and reverted to problems that plagued them earlier in the season. In the 3-4, they have guys who can perhaps not get driven back, but they weren’t getting any penetration. So the opposing back can be patient and pick a cutback lane. And when they do get moved back, it’s a big play. The linebackers weren’t getting off blocks quick enough to make stops in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage. Think about this: Gerhart’s longest run was six yards. That’s consistency; but you can’t have that unless the line is being nudged back.
3. Perry Riley learned a couple lessons today. It’s hard to grow up when every mistake is scrutinized, or could cost you a game. Just ask Riley. First things first; the blocks. Riley definitely had two blocks in the back. Now, you can argue that not every ref makes that call. OK, gotcha. But when it happens once, you absolutely must learn and adapt to who’s calling the game. It’s like an umpire with a high strike zone; once you know it, you must swing at the high pitch. In this case, they will call anything that resembles a block in the back. Riley is an intriguing prospect, a big hitter with good speed, and he was only in his third game. If their season goes downhill because of Riley’s block, well, it wasn’t going anywhere to begin with. The second lesson came in learning how to be a pro. After the game, Riley turned and walked past the media standing at his locker and exited without saying a word. Yes, tough time to talk. But that’s what pro’s have to do when they mess up – because they’ll answer every question when things go well. Guys in the locker room pay attention to those things. However… Riley ended up speaking to us on a conference call and couldn’t have been better. He learned his lesson and fixed what was wrong. The coaches hope the same thing happens on the field.
4. Every game becomes a must win. That is, if Washington wants to make the playoffs. But, listen, the Redskins have lost three of their last four games. The last two times they went on playoff runs they appeared to be out of it as well. The difference? They had a running game each time. Even if Ryan Torain returns, can you count on him to stay healthy for five games as a featured runner? He’s never done that. Without the threat of a running game, the bootleg action doesn’t work. Without that, a staple of the offense is finished. Minnesota barely even worried about the run after a while. Other teams will do the same. So the playoffs are all but dead. Never expected it to happen anyway as this team is too flawed and there was too much to learn to expect a postseason berth. The problem is, the roster will have to turn over even more after this season.
5. The opening drive was the best one of the season. A 13-play, 83-yard drive that was a thing of beauty; great playcalling by Kyle Shanahan as the Redskins showed variety and involved numerous players. Chris Cooley and Fred Davis combined for five catches on this series. Brandon Banks played wildcat twice; he only gained six yards, but it showed a willingness to do something new. In fact, the Redskins ran for only six yards on this series and maybe that should have been the warning we needed. You can only be so creative when the run game doesn’t work. Heck, one of their best plays came later in the half when they motioned Santana Moss to the backfield and threw it to him for 11 yards. The Vikings didn’t cover him. (The Vikings did the same with Percy Harvin and had him run). It was a well-scripted opening series, but unless you can run, you can’t sustain much in this offense. It’s not even about running well, it’s about the commitment level and for one of the few times this season they failed to stay committed. Keiland Williams and James Davis are still learning to play in this system and just because a guy says he is a one-cut runner, it doesn’t mean he’s ready to do it in any system. They at times cut too soon; other times too late. There was no rhythm with the front. Maybe that will change when Torain comes back. It wasn’t there by any means Sunday.
