Instant Analysis: Redskins marauded, mauled on MNF yet again, 31-15

The Washington Redskins got an extra day of preparation to save their 2019 season. By the looks of things, they needed an extra 40 days and 40 nights. For the 16th time since 2008, the Redskins lost on Monday Night Football, and this was just as ugly as the previous eight instances, if not worse, but more on that later.

Entering the game with an 0-2 record, the Redskins were already 2.5 games out of first place, but they could muster no resistance on this night, falling to the Chicago Bears 31-15 to fall to 0-3 on the year.

It didn't take long for the real to be realized in this contest, with an early defensive score getting things rolling for Chicago. An inept offense fixed their woes and a strong defense reawakened to the expense of Case Keenum's confidence. Khalil Mack was an absolute terror on Morgan Moses, getting two QB strip sacks.

Jay Gruden and the Redskins coaching staff was completely overwhelmed by Matt Nagy and the Bears, who's team relaxed off the gas pedal after building a 28-3 halftime lead. Washington scored 13-straight points to make things look close, but in the end, it was a true home blowout loss.

It was over when...

... Keenum made a rookie mistake. Washington was looking to mount the improbable comeback and cut the Bears lead to 13 and were driving with seven minutes remaining. Inside the red zone, they faced fourth-and-1 and the coaches called for a QB sneak.

Only Keenum decided to leap over the pile like it was fourth-and-goal and all he had to do was break the plane. He was met in midair by LB Danny Trevathan who knocked the ball free and that was it. Gave over.

Conventional team stats

Team Stats

Washington Redskins

Chicago Bears

EPA Box Score

Game Balls

Terry McLaurin

The rookie once again was a monster, scoring his third touchdown in three games. The big deep threat scored the team's first TD of the game in the third quarter, wrestling the ball out of the defender's hands.

.@Redskins rookie WR Terry McLaurin has scored a TD in three straight games to start his career! @TheTerry_25 #HTTR

📺: #CHIvsWAS on ESPN
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— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2019

McLaurin finished with six receptions for 70 yards and a score, and is clearly the offense's best player just three weeks into his NFL career.

Paul Richardson

Richardson checked in with a good game as well, hauling in seven of his eight targets for 74 yards and a 2-yard score of his own.

Josh Norman

Just kidding. Norman had another bad game. He got an interception at the goal line, but that was because it was one of the ugliest back-shoulder fades that has been attempted in life, off the arm of Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky. Norman was abused for a third consecutive game, this time being part of the coverage unit that allowed Taylor Gabriel to be just the third player with three first-half touchdowns in NFL history.

Key Stat: 117

That's the amount that Washington has been outscored by in their last nine MNF appearances; they entered the game with eight straight losses by a combined score of 244-140. In fact, Washington has lost 16 of their last 18 appearances on Monday nights, dating back to the 2008 season. Their only two wins were nail biters, unlike the losses they've suffered recently. In 2014 they defeated the Cowboys 20-17 in overtime and in 2012 they beat the Giants 17-16.

Final Word

Last week, we pondered whether this would be the final game for Case Keenum as the starter. He had, by far, the worst game of his short tenure in Washington. He was responsible for five turnovers, and a sixth that was negated by penalty. He made a few bad decisions and the clock in his head for the opposing pass rush was absolutely non-existent.

The Redskins take on the New York Giants next week and are in last place in the division. At this point, why not start the reboot on the franchise and let Dwayne Haskins get under center? This season has slipped away before the calendar turns to October. He's not likely to be better than Keenum, but that's not really the point.

Teams no longer wait to turn to their future franchise stars anymore. He's not as prepared as Daniel Jones is with the Giants; Haskins only started one season at Ohio State, and that inexperience is a key factor in why he isn't playing yet. Sooner or later though, it will be time, and this next stretch of games might be the best time to make things happen and keep the fanbase engaged to some degree. Many were walking out in the second quarter of this debacle.

Check out the running blog of all of the game action, here.

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