The Redskins' first-string offense had more opportunity in week two of the preseason and reached the end zone, but still have a lot of work left to do in the preseason.
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder talks with head coach Jay Gruden, right, before an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs out onto the field before an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) warms before an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Jake Ryan (47) and cornerback Josh Hawkins (28) stops Washington Redskins running back Rob Kelley (20) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) leads a team huddle during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) is stopped by Washington Redskins inside linebacker Mason Foster (54) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins tight end Niles Paul (84) pulls in a touchdown pass under pressure from Green Bay Packers linebacker Cody Heiman (55) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Green Bay Packers quarterback Taysom Hill (8) carries the ball toward the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (12) talk as they walk off the field after an NFL preseason football game in Landover, Md., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The Packers defeated the Redskins 21-17.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
LANDOVER, Md. — The Redskins’ first-string offense didn’t have much of a sample size in the preseason opener, only six plays.
They had more of an opportunity in week two and didn’t do much better.
Kirk Cousins and the offense lacked rhythm from the opening play and didn’t pick up a first down until late in the first quarter before finally getting into the end zone with under a minute remaining in the first half.
Cousins probably didn’t expect to play the entire half in week two of the preseason, but Jay Gruden wanted the offense to get something positive out of the performance so he sent them back out there late in the second quarter.
Cousins didn’t play in week two of the preseason at all last year.
He led a 10-play, 78 yard drive and hit Jamison Crowder on a four-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line.
Keep in mind, they did it against the Packers backups.
The quarterback finished the game 14-23 for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The running game needs some work. Rob Kelley ran the ball nine times for nine yards against the Packers first and second team and failed to get a yard on fourth and short.
This might be the most surprising part of the offense that is struggling right now. The offensive line has put in a lot of work together beginning in the offseason when Trent Williams had them all in Texas working out.
Nobody has missed anytime in camp due to injury, and it seems that they aren’t on the same page yet.
Defense
The first-string-defense had two straight three-and-outs last week in Baltimore and had thought they had forced another one on their first possession but a penalty kept the Packers drive alive.
For a second straight week, Stacy McGee penalty cost the Redskins after a third down stop. He didn’t get off the field fast enough, causing a 12 men on the field penalty.
The Packers then went down the field and Aaron Rogers threw a three-yard fade to Martellus Bennett for the touchdown.
Aaron Rogers went 6-for-8, 37 yards and a touchdown. He also ran twice for 15 yards on his only drive of the game. He looked like he was in midseason form.
Preseason debut
Wide receivers Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson made their debuts this week.
Crowder had two catches for eight yards and caught a four-on fourth and goal. He was on the field to start the game.
Josh Doctson made an appearance late in the half and had one catch for 12 yards
Bounce back week
Rookie running back Samaje Perine had a much better week than he did against the Ravens. He ran with purpose, found the holes and put his head down. He finished with 45 yards on eight carries with a long of 14 yards. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry, that’s a pretty good week for the rookie.
Other players that impressed
Tight end Niles Paul with an impressive back shoulder touchdown catch in the third quarter. Paul played in only eight games last year because of injury and missed all of 2015 as well. Jay Gruden has praised him throughout camp.
Rookie cornerback Fabian Moreau made an impression on the first possession, forcing a fumble on punt coverage. He also had three tackles.
Preston Smith had a couple of tackles and a sack.
Linebacker Chris Carter had three tackles and 1.5 sacks. With Murphy out for the year and Galette still out, Carter played some with the first team.
Defensive lineman Phil Taylor Sr. continues to have a good preseason, attempting to return after nearly three seasons since playing his last game. He registered a sack on Brett Hundley in the second quarter.
