Why opposing quarterbacks have been the biggest threat on the ground for the Redskins

There is no doubt in the minds of many that the Redskins defense has improved from 2016 to 2017, but as the season goes on, Washington faces a threat they have shown so far to date they cannot contain. Defensively, the Redskins have struggled season-long containing mobile quarterbacks, and that has hurt this unit in the worst of ways. Often it is the Redskins just not finishing on a play, or just missing tackles on opposing quarterbacks allowing them to extend a drive or a considerable gain in favor of the offense.

The Redskins are 12^th in yards per game defensively, but 25^th in points. Outside of mental mistakes and penalties extending drives, it was also plays made by the quarterback’s ability to create or extend them. Credit must be given to the Redskins pass-rush as well, they do an excellent job for the most part in creating pressure with 18 sacks on the season, but there are no excuses to miss lay-ups continuously.

The Redskins have given up 145 yards on the ground to opposing quarterbacks, on 25 attempts for 5.8 yards per carry. In the same breath, the Redskins are allowing 3.5 yards per carry to opposing running backs, giving up 422 yards on 118 attempts.

Fans of the Redskins are aware that this is not a fluke, Washington has struggled for years to defend mobile quarterbacks. Five games are remaining on the Redskins’ schedule, including the next three weeks, which have quarterbacks capable of exploiting their ineptitude. All of this is not to say that running backs are a non-factor moving forward against Washington, Kareem Hunt, Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliott, and Melvin Gordon to name a few, are all quality backs. However, if Washington wants a chance at a playoff bid, a big part of coming out of these games with a victory revolves around containing the mobile quarterbacks they will face.