Redskins Cruise to Victory over Struggling Broncos
December 25, 2017
by Steve Thomas
The Washington Redskins defeated the Denver Broncos by a score of 27 – 11 yesterday in their final home game of the season. Washington started off slow, but all’s well that ends well, as the Redskins somewhat uncharacteristically took control in the second half of the game. With the win, Washington is now 7 – 8 and primed to avoid a losing season for the third year in a row.
The first quarter of this game was an abomination for the Redskins on the offensive side of the ball, as Kirk Cousins and company could get absolutely nothing going, and Cousins finished the quarter by completing only 1 of his first 8 pass for six yards, with the team rushing for 8 yards on 4 carries. The Broncos struck first, managing to drive 33 yards to get into position to kick a field goal after a Tress Way punt from the back of the end zone. The quarter mercifully ended with the Redskins down just 3 – 0.
The Redskins got on the board in the second quarter by driving 83 yards down the field for a Dustin Hopkins field goal. The Redskins also took advantage of Denver mistakes, as Washington was able to recover a Brock Osweiller fumble on the Denver 38 yard line that resulted from a Preston Smith sack and convert it into a Kirk Cousins to Jamison Crowder touchdown pass 5 plays later. The Redskins squandered another opportunity near the end of the half after safety D.J. Swearinger picked off Osweiller deep in Redskins territory, but were unable to convert the turnover into more points. Washington was up 10 – 3 as the half ended.
The third quarter failed to start off on a positive note, as Washington’s opening possession of the half ended with a Cousins interception in the end zone on a poor throw into double coverage that was intended for Josh Doctson. Fortunately, though, the Broncos’ offensive ineptitude continued as Denver was unable to even move the ball in the following possession, punting 3 plays later. The Redskins tacked on a field goal and were leading 13 – 3 going into the final period.
The fourth quarter saw the game’s most exciting action, as Cousins connected with a wide open Doctson thanks to blown coverage by the Broncos for a 48 yard touchdown pass. Washington capitalized on another Denver turnover a short time later, scoring a touchdown on a 31 yard strike from Cousins to tight end Vernon Davis. The Redskins’ streak of 10 straight quarters without surrendering a touchdown did finally come to an end, though, but it was too little, too late for Denver as Washington earned the 27 – 11 victory.
Cousins didn’t have his best day, thanks largely to his slow first half, going 19 for 37 for 299 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception with a 94.3 quarterback rating for the game. The rushing woes continued, as the Redskins rushed for just 87 yards on 29 carries as a team. Samaje Perine ran for 53 yards on 17 carries for just 3.1 yards per attempt, and new addition Kapri Bibbs added 26 yards on 7 carries for 3.7 yards per attempt. Ryan Grant was the leading receiver with 85 yards on 4 receptions.
On the injury front, defensive lineman Ziggy Hood suffered an elbow contusion and will get an MRI. Wide receiver Robert Davis entered the concussion protocol in his first live game action.
Head coach Jay Gruden commented on the importance of finishing 8 – 8, stating, “It’s important for a lot of reasons. For one, everybody wrote us off and questioned the character and quitting and I knew it wouldn’t happen. The guys stepped up and played their tails off and there’s still a lot to play for. We’re playing a division rival on the road at the Giants’ stadium. I think these guys will be fired up, ready to play and try to get back to 8-8 and finish with three games in a row, three-game win streak at the end of the year, which is important.”
The Redskins will conclude their 2017 campaign at the Meadowlands next Sunday against the rival New York Giants.