Game Recap: Redskins Get Dominated by the Broncos
August 24, 2018
by Steve Thomas
The Washington Redskins produced their worst effort of the preseason tonight in what is generally considered to be the most important tune up for the regular season, getting outplayed in every sense of the word until late in the fourth quarter. This game does not bode well for the team, with the regular season coming in just two weeks’ time. All in all, this was a highly disappointing effort in nearly every respect with the notable exception of the running game. After tonight, fans are left to hope that drastic changes in both effort and performance can be made prior to week one against the Cardinals.
The first quarter did not start out on a positive note for the Redskins starters for anyone not named Adrian Peterson. Alex Smith and the first string offense failed to generate much spark, going three and out on their first possession of the night, then turned the ball over on downs after failing to make a first down on a 4th and 3. Peterson, though, had 7 carries for 35 yards in those two series, as Washington made a concerted effort to establish the run early. Denver’s offense jumped all over the Redskins immediately, both in the air and on the ground, as the Broncos easily drove down the field twice, scoring both a field goal and a touchdown on their first two possessions. The quarter ended with the Broncos up 10 – 0.
The second quarter featured more of the same, for the most part, as the Redskins starters played until approximately the midpoint of the period. Peterson continued to run well, showing burst and vision that looked like the Adrian of years gone by, demonstrating ability that the team’s other backs just don’t have. Washington was finally able to put a field goal on the board in a 10 play, 63 yard drive that featured a 15 yard run by Peterson, who finished his night with 56 yards on 11 carries. Colt McCoy and the second team entered the game but failed to generate any more success than the starters, and did not produce points. The Broncos, though, continued to dominate, featuring all-purpose weapon Emmanuel Sanders, who scored on a 27 yard touchdown run. The half ended with the Broncos up by a score of 17 – 3.
The third quarter brought more of the same for the Redskins on the defensive side of the ball, as the Denver, led by backup quarterback Chad Kelly, were able to drive for two more field goals. Washington’s offense fared no better than did the defense, punting twice after two more three and out drives. The quarter ended with the Broncos leading 23 – 3.
The tide turned in the fourth quarter for the Redskins’ offense, albeit too little and too late, as third string quarterback Kevin Hogan had his best quarter of the preseason, connecting with both Simmie Cobbs, Jr., and Darvin Kidsey for touchdown passes. The defense, however, continued to be unable to stop the Broncos, who marched down the field for two more field goals. The game ended with the Broncos getting the win by a score of 29 – 17, although the contest was not as close as the score indicates.
In total, the Broncos had 9 real drives in the game, not including the end of the first half and the end of the game, and scored points on 7 of them. On the other hand, the Redskins had 10 possessions, but only scored on three. It was not a stellar night on any non-Peterson front, but the defense in particular had a poor showing. Smith, who had a bad night and looked rusty, completed just 3 of 8 passes for 33 yards. McCoy was 3 for 9 for 19 yards. Hogan went 7 for 9 for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Kapri Bibbs rushed for 41 yards on 2 carries, and Rob Kelley gained 19 yards on 8 carries. Kidsey was the leading receiver with 50 yards on 3 receptions, with one touchdown. Linebacker Shaun Dion-Hamilton led all tacklers with 6 total tackles, including 3 solo. Anthony Lanier earned the Redskins’ only sack of the night.
The only starter from either side of the ball who flashed was Peterson. Amongst the backups, Bibbs had a quality game, as did Hogan. Defensively, linebacker Martrell Spaight had yet another quality preseason performance, and corner Adonis Alexander fairly played well in his first preseason action of the year. Tress Way was the game’s real MVP, punting 6 times for a total of 316 yards and an average of 52.7 yards per punt. Beyond that, this wasn’t a game that will go on the highlight reel.
Gruden acknowledged that tonight was not a banner day, telling the assembled media, “[s]ome of our key components when it comes to timing weren’t on the field, so the big thing was that I really wanted to focus on the running game and trying to get Adrian some good looks and we accomplished that to some degree, but I wish we had done a little bit of a better job on the passing game today. ”
Smith acknowledged after the game that this wasn’t the team’s finest hour, stating, “I get that we’re not full-strength, we’re not showing everything, but at the same time, you want to go out there and play your best. So, we’ll learn from it and get better.” For his part, Peterson acknowledged that he needed the work that he was given, provided that, “I was coming home, working out, training, spending time with my kids, and missing all OTAs and training camp. It was very critical especially coming into this third preseason game. You get out there to get a feel not only just for me but to get something on film so we can go back. I was communicating with the offensive line, ‘Hey we got to do a dash on this play and a different speed.’ So I think we may have learned a lot from this.”
The Redskins complete their preseason next Thursday night against the Ravens in Baltimore.