Instant Analysis: Redskins Offense Lets Upset Slip Through Fingers, Fall 9-0 to 49ers
This offense is bad. Yes, the rain that relentlessly fell on FedEx Field throughout the game Sunday had a big impact on keeping things under wraps, but there was never much reason to believe the Washington Redskins were in line to have a good offensive performance against the stout defense of the San Francisco 49ers. The slippery footing and wet ball conditions just made things extreme whenever Washington had the ball.
For the fourth consecutive week, Washington failed to accrue over 175 passing yards. In fact, they failed to get more than 100 passing yards for the second time in three weeks, with Case Keenum checking in with just 50 net. Things were a little better on the ground, as Washington tried to feed Adrian Peterson, but a second-half fumble doomed the club on a difficult day. When it was all over, Washington had less than 200 yards of offense and subsequently fell to the 49ers, 9-0.
It was over when . . .
... Tress Way booted yet another 50-plus yard punt with just over six minutes remaining. Washington was at their 29, but the San Francisco offense is able to milk the clock like no other. Trailing 6-0, Washington had to go for it to have any chance of winning, despite being buried in their own territory. They didn't, the 49ers ran out the clock on the way to a third field goal and that was all she wrote.
Conventional Team Stats
Game Balls
Troy Apke
Apke came in after starting free safety Montae Nicholson went out with an apparent knee injury. Apke came in and promptly intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo on his third snap of the contest. Apke had a big return, too, but it was for naught as the Washington offense was unable to convert the turnover into points, going three-and-out after getting the gifted possession.
Ryan Kerrigan
Kerrigan entered the game sluggish for 2019, with just 2.5 sacks on the season. He exited with just 3 for the season, but was very active. He and rookie OLB Montez Sweat split a sack in the second quarter. Kerrigan was also in on what was credited as a team sack when he and DL Matt Ioannidis took Garoppolo down earlier in the contest.
Wendell Smallwood
Smallwood got a bigger dose of the action with Chris Thompson missing the contest due to his toe injury. Adrian Peterson of course got the lion's share of work at the position, but Smallwood was effective from his first carry, a pitch that he took to the right sideline for 17 yards. Smallwood had just five carries for 23 yards (4.6 per carry) and also checked in with an 18-yard reception.
Key Stat: 104.25
That's how many passing yards the Washington Redskins have averaged over their last four contests, after netting just 50 yards on the day. Dwayne Haskins got a lot of kudos for being more focused this week and giving them reason to think he could be the franchise quarterback. It's getting more and more difficult to come up with reasons not to let him play. If not Thursday against Minnesota, than soon.
