WASHINGTON — The Redskins have already been even — that pesky tie against the Bengals in London. Now, after Sunday’s 31-23 loss to the Cardinals, it is clearly time to get mad.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden is steamed, or as defensive end Chris Baker said after the game in Arizona, “the hottest I’ve ever seen him.” And why not? The Redskins’ once-promising season suddenly seems stuck in neutral. The team has dropped two games in a row and is currently out of a playoff spot.
To avoid shifting from neutral to reverse, the Redskins need to get mad and be accountable. This is not about whether or not Kirk Cousins should be given a long term contract in the offseason. This is about the present. To make the playoffs, the Redskins are going to have to score a touchdown when they have first and goal from the opponents’ one yard line, not settle for a field goal like they did against the Cardinals.
To be sure the offense is not perfect, but this turnaround will be about the Redskins’ defense, which needs a better alarm clock. Like the Cowboys did on Thanksgiving, the Cardinals marched down the field and scored a touchdown on the game’s opening drive. Yes, the Redskins recovered and responded on Sunday, but the defense failed to make big plays.
The Cardinals were 10 of 16 on third downs. On the season, the Redskins are dead last in third down defense, allowing the opposing team to convert 48 percent of the time. The Redskins also did not force a turnover. For the season, the Redskins are among the best in NFL with 16 forced fumbles, but are near the bottom with only seven interceptions.
The offense has shown it can score, but whether the Redskins’ defense can be good enough to get the team to the playoffs is in serious doubt.
