Week 7 Stock Report: Redskins Identity Surfaces Even as Points Remain Coy

The Washington Redskins stumbled against the Sans Francisco 49ers Sunday afternnoon, going down in a blaze of raindrops in a 0-9 shutout. The weather conditions proved to be a huge factor in how the game was coached and played. Each team's game plan was relatively simple and straightforward: run the football, control the line of scrimmage on defense, and try to minimize game-changing plays. The 49ers proved to be the better team during Sunday's game and improved to 6-0 on the season, dropping Washington to 1-6.

Despite playing with great effort, the Redskins seemed to trip over their own feet in the muddy conditions. The first drive, a marvelous show of dedication to the run game, ended with no points when kicker Dustin Hopkins missed a field goal. Running back Adrian Peterson fumbled late in the third quarter while it was still a one-score game, and key defensive players failed to make the plays necessary to pull out a victory on a day like Sunday.

Here is the stock report for Week 7:

Stock Down: Landon Collins

Collins didn't play poorly. In fact, he actually played well, making key tackles on key downs. The problem is, Collins also missed on what could have been game-changing plays. It's the difference between a good defense or a great defense. Furthermore, it's the difference between wins and losses.

Collins' biggest mishap was early in the game on a tipped pass he couldn't haul in for an interception. At the time of the deflected pass, each team found success at running the ball; however, both team missed field goals that kept the score 0-0. An interception by Collins likely changes the momentum of the game in favor of the Redskins.

On the first drive of the second half, the Pro Bowler also whiffed on a tackle against 49ers' wide receiver, Kendrick Bourne. What was already a big gain, became a bigger gain. The huge play provided the 49ers with momentum and was the first essential play for Shanahan's offense. The following play, Collins committed a defensive pass interference on George Kittle though the drive was stalled by an interception by fellow safety Troy Apke.

When neither team can find a clear edge on the other, the small plays missed means more than the big plays made. I'm sure Collins wishes he could have some plays back.

Stock Up: Bill Callahan

There are two noticeable observations when watching the Redskins since Callahan's coaching takeover: One, the team is playing consistently with more effort and discipline. Two, the team has an identity. Run the ball and play hard-nose, tough defense. Callahan deserves credit.

The biggest problem with the Redskins under Jay Gruden was the lack of an identity. Week to week, it seemed as if there was never that one thing the team knew they could do well that would give them a fighter's chance. Under Bill Callahan, it's clear on what he feels gives his team the best chance at competing and winning. He wants to run the ball to control the clock and use his talented defense to make it tough on opposing offenses.

Thus far, in two weeks, it's working. Sure the rainy weather factored in why he ran the ball 11 consecutive plays to start the ball game, but Callahan was also likely sending a message to both his team and the 49ers: The Redskins have grit and today's outing will be an ugly dog fight. That's exactly what the game manifested into and the message was received by both teams however the 49ers responded with smarts as well as grit to win.

Another positive for Callahan was that coaching wasn't the difference in the game. It was a few mishaps by Washington's players that coaches can't control. Callahan seems to be a nice bridge between the Jay Gruden era Redskins and the next Redskins' head coach.

Stock Down: Adrian Peterson

Two weeks in a row, Peterson proves to be an ageless wonder. Between Peterson and Buffalo Bill's Frank Gore, it's hard to choose who's aging better? Young running backs should aspire to extend their careers like the two who continue to assault the league record books.

Peterson and Wendell Smallwood, filling in for an injured Chris Thompson, were catalysts. The tone was set early during the first drive as Peterson carried the ball seven consecutive plays. The former MVP finished the first drive with eight carries for 49 yards.

His stock is down though because he only finished the game with 20 carries for 80 yards. He only tallied 31 more rushing yards despite having 12 additional carries. It's not enough, especially when Peterson chose the wrong time during the wrong game to cough up his first fumble of the season.

Peterson's fumble was too costly to overcome. It halted a productive drive and snatched the soul of Redskins' offense. His fumbled occurred late in the third quarter. The next two offensive drives, which also happened to be Washington's last two offensive drives of the game, were a three and out for four yards then a two play drive for -11 yards. Ball game.