How the Skins Make the Playoffs

Courtesy: Washington Post

It finally looks like the Washington Redskins have gotten back on track. So far this NFL season, watching Redskins football has been frustrating. This season they have not lived up to their expectations. Washington has been dealing with the continued recovery of RG3’s ACL. Now that RG3 looks back to form, the rust looks to be shaken off and he is playing now with more confidence in his leg; the Redskins are beginning to look like who they were last season.

The Redskins are currently in third place in the NFC East and have a record of 2-4. For most teams, the talking about playoffs and possibilities at 2-4 just doesn’t happen. But since the Redskin’s came back from 3-6 last season, along with being in the crazy NFC East, the Redskins still have a window of opportunity for winning their division and making the playoffs.

To win the division this year and to make the playoffs, the Redskins have a tough and long journey in front of them. Here is a list of what the Redskins must do in order to make the playoffs.

IMPROVE SPECIAL TEAMS

So far this season, the Washington Redskins’ special teams have had a lot of troubles. Keith Burns is in his first year as special teams coach for Washington. Burns uses a slightly different scheme than Danny Smith, who is Washington’s ex-special teams coach. Though I do not think it is fair to place blame on the new special team scheme, for their problems.

The Redskins’ special teams unit allowed a blocked punt to get returned for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. Against the Dallas Cowboys, the Redskins’ special teams allowed a touchdown on an 86-yard punt return. They also allowed a 90-yard kickoff return, which set up another touchdown for Dallas. During the Dallas game, Keith Burns was also penalized for making contact with an official on the sideline during a punt return. Most recently, the special teams unit let Devin Hester, Chicago Bears’ special teams star; return a punt for an 81-yard touchdown.

After the Dallas game, Niles Paul told media that the switch in coaching has been a factor for the struggles the special teams are having, saying that they are going through an adjustment period. Reed Doughty, called a meeting for the Redskins’ special teams unit on Friday night, before the Bears game to look for solutions. This year, Washington unfortunately lost Lorenzo Alexander, pro-bowl special teams player, who signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Right now, the Redskins need to focus on meshing together as a one cohesive unit.  They need a player to step up on special teams to make plays. It is still obvious that some players are not trusting Burns. Doughty told the Washington Post, “whether it’s because of the system or in spite of the system, whatever your feelings are, it really doesn’t matter. It’s still a reflection of us that they scored a touchdown on Sunday and had another big return. And we didn’t look good doing it. So I’m gonna do whatever I can with the extra effort, the extra focus, and get as many people to come with us as we can”.

If Washington wants to make the playoffs, they have to solve their special teams’ problems and avoid the sloppy mistakes. Special teams errors cost Washington the game against Dallas and could end up costing them their season.

THE REDSKINS NEED THEIR RUN GAME

The Washington Redskins were very effective last season because of their run game. They had the threat of handing the ball off to Alfred Morris and also had a healthy RG3, who was a dual threat that could run the ball or throw the ball. This type of offense kept defensive teams on their heals and cautious as to what the Redskins would do. It appears to me, that RG3 began to feel comfortable against Dallas. You were able to see plays where Griffin was acting without the hesitation of his leg. After the win against the Bears, RG3 was looking better than he had all season. You can tell he does not think about his injury anymore when running around, his increased confidence is a great thing for Washington.

While the Redskins were still winless, RG3 told the media that Washington needs him to run more and of course, he was right. The Redskins’ offense is very dangerous when they properly run the read-option but without the threat of RG3 running the ball, the read-option becomes hopeless for Washington.

In Washington’s most recent win over the Chicago Bears, Griffin ran eleven times for 84 yards, an average of 7.6 yards per carry. This is the type of play Washington needs from Griffin. He has slowly become more involved and confident with his running. In the week 2 loss vs. the Green Bay Packers, Griffin only ran four times, for 1 yard, an average of 0.2 yards per carry.  RG3’s running even helps out Washington’s backs, when linebackers think that RG3 might run the ball, it creates a delay and allows extra space for Washington’s running backs.

Last season, Washington led the league in rushing yards. Alfred Morris was a big contributor to that. This season, it appears that Morris has been stuck in some sort of  ‘sophomore slump’ that is plagued with fumbles. The Redskins are currently 4^th in the league for rushing yards per game, averaging 141.5 YPG. After watching the Bears get beat up by the Redskins’ run game, it is safe to say that Washington’s offense needs their run game more than anything. It is also safe to say, that Helu deserves a bigger role in Washington’s game plan. For the first time all season, the Redskins’ run game looked fluid as they ran hurry up offense, ran the ball well and made proper adjustments when plays were not ‘perfect’.

If the Redskins want to get to the playoffs and take the NFC East, they have to keep improving their run game. It is also important that RG3 is a dominant dual threat. They have two great and capable running backs in Morris and Helu, it would be a smart plan to give both an even amount of touches.  The change of pace each back provides can catch defenses off guard.

WASHINGTON’S DEFENSE NEEDS TO CONTINUE IMPROVING

This could be the most important reason of all. Washington’s defense has made some big plays this year; you cannot deny that, they also have made a good amount of mistakes. One of the most visible problems the Redskins have had this season is tackling. Washington’s secondary has shown itself to be the team’s defensive weakness. The extremely young secondary needs to improve their ability to wrap around tackle. Too many times, they have been beat, trying to go for a big hit or immediately looking to strip the football. These young players are not going in to make a wrap around tackle, which is giving receivers an opportunity at ten or more extra yards. Out of the 32 teams in the NFL, the Redskins’ defense is allowing the fourth most yards per play, 6.1.  This statistics could change dramatically if players were wrapping around and tackling the proper way. The Redskins need to work on the extra yardage they give after catches; they also allow team’s running backs the opportunity to gain more yards but not tackling the proper way.

The Redskins cannot afford many losses during the remainder of the season, now that Brandon Meriweather has been suspended for the next two games, it is important that everyone else in Washington’s secondary plays smart. Currently, the Redskins defense is in fourth place for points allowed per game with 30.7. The three teams that allow more points per game are the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars. When they face no huddle hurry up offense, the defense looks lost on the field. They are improving though and I believe DeAngelo Hall has been a consistent factor. If the Redskins want to win the NFC East and make the playoffs, they need to get back to the basics on defense, tackle better and avoid mistakes.

CAPITALIZE IN THE RED ZONE

So far this season Washington has had problems capitalizing in the red zone. Already, too many times this season, Washington has had to settle for a field goal because of poor red zone efficiency. Up until this most recent win against Chicago, the Redskins have had a very difficult time scoring, especially when in the red zone.   Roy Helu Jr. could be the key to Washington’s red zone dilemma. Helu displayed his ability to be patient and make sharp cuts to the end zone. He had three rushing touchdowns; all came within the red zone.

Courtesy: Washington Post

Another solution, to Washington’s red zone worries, is tight end Jordan Reed. He is a rookie, from the University of Florida. After his performance against Chicago, Reed could easily be on his way to stardom.  He had 9 receptions for 134 yards and one touchdown. His most important catch was probably the 10-yard reception in the red zone, which led to the game-winning touchdown run from Roy Helu Jr.

Overall, the Redskins have an opportunity at winning the division and making the playoffs. Though far from perfect, Washington and RG3 continue to improve. Washington still possesses a chance at winning the division; they cannot lose a single division match up no matter what. Washington will most likely need to finish 9-7 or better. If the Redskins stay focused and continue to improve, they have all the pieces to finish the season strong and win the majority of their remaining games.

All statistics credited to NFL.com