Redskins Vs. Packers - Studs and Duds

Wow, what a game by the Redskins! On a night in DC where conditions were anything but ideal, the Redskins, led by the arm of Kirk Cousins and the legs of rookie Robert Kelly, carved up the depleted Green Bay defense to the tune of 515 total yards and 42 points in a lopsided 42-26 victory Sunday night.

The offense was as as good as we've seen all season, and the Packers game plan played right into the strengths of the Redskins 4-2 defense. Sure Aaron Rodgers got his, to the tune of 351 yards and three touchdowns, but the Packers are a one-dimensional team right now, and Rodgers is still the best quarterback in the league not named Tom Brady, so an air show was to be expected. What was not quite to be expected was how good the Redskins offense was, and how the defense stepped up when we needed them the most.

Below are my studs and duds of the game.

Studs:

Kirk "the Magic Man" Cousins - Cousins was absolutely marvelous(maybe the best I've ever seen him) on Sunday night. His ball placement was nearly flawless, and his arm strength, half of the evening into a cutting wind, was simply amazing. He had some drops early on by his receivers that were not his fault, and if it were not for those, he would have been close to perfect. As it was, he was simply amazing spreading the ball around to his offensive weapons, while averaging over 12 yards per completion. Scary good, to be exact!

Fat Rob - Kelly looked the part of a "franchise" back Sunday night, running with vision, patience, power and explosion.  He toted the rock 24 times, gaining 137 yards and scoring three touchdowns on the night. My only knock on him is his hands - may be worse than Alfred Morris'.

Pierre Garçon - For as tough as I was on Garçon during the offseason, he has surly put my concerns about his productivity to rest (for the time being). He led the team with 6 receptions for 116 yards and a 70 yard touchdown. He's been very clutch over the last 6 games.

Jamison Crowder/Desean Jackson - The dynamic duo proved reliable AND explosive for Cousins on Sunday night, combining for 7 receptions, 153 yards, and each scoring a touchdown. Jackson's early drop in the first quarter had me screaming at the TV in anger. His touchdown later in the quarter had me longing for more.

Jordan Reed - Reed was back at it against the Packers, after previously taking a back seat to Vernon Davis. He is so dangerous with the ball in his hands, and proved it again Sunday night, juking defenders out of their shoes. He blocked very well in the run game as well.

Redskins Offensive Line - Props to the entire offensive line. They gave Cousins time in the pocket to take shots downfield, and gave Kelly running lanes all evening. What a difference a good center makes, as this turn around can really be attributed to Spencer Long taking over for the injured Kory Lichtensteiger. Also, Moses, who was playing on a bad ankle, gutted it out, and although he didn't play his best game, he played with some toughness.

Ryan Kerrigan/Chris Baker - Baker and Kerrigan made Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable all evening(if that's even possible), each recording a sack, tackles for a loss, and pressures.

Su'a Cravens - Cravens is a difference maker on defense, and it showed again on Sunday night. He is so fast to diagnose run plays, and is a terror when rushing the quarterback. He still makes some rookie mistakes, but coaches will live with those due to his playmaking abilities.

Josh Norman - We didn't hear much from Norman all evening, nor did we hear much from Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams or Randal Cobb(minus his one long catch and run). Norman was very good on whoever he was covering on the outside, and showed again why we paid this man his money.

Jay Gruden - You the man Jay! The team was ready to play, and play they did. That QB sneak on 4th down was gutsy, but it paid off. Also, you stick with the run. But most importantly, Jay is playing the best guys. No more "seniority" starts. Jay is simply playing the best players who can help us win games.

Duds:

Forgive me here, because this list of duds is rather nitpicking on my part, but I did want to give you something to debate.

Donte Whitner/Duke Ihenacho - Despite Whitner leading the team in tackles, he still lands on this list(again, I'm nitpicking for arguements sake). He and Duke were both burned deep by a very athletic tight end, and Whitner missed a few tackles, one on Cobb, that resulted in a big catch and run.

Preston Smith - He was quiet...that was about it.

Mason Foster - He barely played because he's a liability in coverage.

...sorry guys, that's all I got.