Game Recap: Patriots backups defeat Redskins backups
August 10, 2018
by Steve Thomas
The Washington Redskins dropped their first preseason game of the season to the New England Patriots by a score of 26 – 17 in Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Both teams sat virtually all of their starters, so while the contest was certainly not an accurate representation of what the teams will show during the regular season, it was a tale of two halves that highlighted weaknesses for the Redskins down the depth chart.
The first half was essentially all Redskins. Colt McCoy and company opened the game with a 7 play, 29 yard drive featuring runs by Rob Kelley and rookie Derrius Guice, and quality completions to Maurice Harris and Rob Davis, but nonetheless ended with a punt. The Redskins did put together a touchdown drive on their second possession, which featured a McCoy – Robert Davis connection for 24 yards and a 24 yard touchdown pass to running back Byron Marshall. The Redskins’ third drive of the quarter resulted in a field goal after yet another quality showing from McCoy. The highlight of the quarter was a 34 yard run by Guice, which was called back as a result of a holding call on rookie fullback Elijah Wellman. Guice tweaked his right knee at the end of the play in what appeared to be a minor injury and did not return. The Redskins defense, also featuring principally second string players, held the Brian Hoyer-led Patriots in check and forced two punts.
The Redskins’ positive start continued into the second quarter, with the offense tacking on another touchdown thanks to a 57 yard reception by rookie Cam Sims on the New England 2 yard line. McCoy connected with Maurice Harris for touchdown two plays later on a play in which Sims was also open in the deep corner of the endzone. New acquisition Kevin Hogan took over the quarterbacking duties late in the half but failed to post more points. The Patriots offense finally started moving the ball with less than a minute left in the half thanks to several blown coverages by the Redskins secondary. New England got a field goal with 5 seconds left, and the teams went to the locker room with the Redskins up 16 – 3.
At the half, Colt McCoy was 13 for 18 for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kevin Hogan was 3 for 3 for 12 yards. Samaje Perine led all rushers with 5 carries for 25 yards. Derrius Guice gained 19 yards on 6 carries after his 34 yard carry was called back. Cam Sims led received with 2 receptions for 74 yards. The Redskins held the ball for over 20 minutes in the half.
The second half was as bad as the first half was good. The Patriots opened the third quarter with a very uncharacteristic 19 play drive featuring 13 running plays that resulted in a touchdown and used over 10 minutes of game time. The Redskins interior run defense looked absolutely helpless on this drive and for much of the second half. The Redskins only drive of the quarter, once again led by Hogan, was not productive.
New England’s ground and pound domination continued in the fourth quarter, with the Patriots once again running the ball straight down the field for another touchdown. The Redskins defense, comprised mostly of third and fourth string players at this point, was largely ineffective for much of the half against the New England ground attack. The Redskins offense also looked overmatched for most of the second half, with the offensive line routinely beaten in both the run and passing games. Hogan, who went the entire second half, did not produce and looked like he needed significantly more work.
Hogan finished the game 7 of 9 for 44 yards. Running back Kapri Bibbs, who saw significant time late in the game, led all rushers with 48 yards on just 4 carries. On defense, linebacker Shawn Dion Hamilton led the way with 10 total tackles, including 6 solo. Safety Kenny Ladler had 7 tackles, with linebacker Jerod Fernandez and rookie safety Troy Apke each contributing 5 tackles.
Players making positive showings including rookie corner Greg Stroman, who had a quality punt return and provided solid coverage on defense, corner Danny Johnson, and the aforementioned Sims, Bibbs, and Hamilton. Nose tackle Tim Settle had his moments in the second half, but also was clearly gassed later in the game.
The injury demon unfortunately visited the Redskins again, with defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis suffering a knee injury, and wide receiver Trey Quinn and guard Tyler Catalina also going down, in addition to the aforementioned Guice knee injury. Guice, who was up and walking on the sidelines afterward, is scheduled for an MRI. The Ioannidis injury looked to be the most serious.
The Redskins will face the New York Jets at Fed Ex Field next week in the second game of the 2018 preseason.