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After taking the fewest number of snaps by a Redskins first-team offense in either the first or second week of the preseason in recorded history (since 2012) against the Ravens, Jay Gruden completely flipped the script in this game. He kept the starting offense on the field for the entire first half, which is something that is typically reserved for the "dress rehearsal" game in the third week of the preseason.
As a result, the first-team offense was on the field for 37 snaps, a new team record for the starters in Weeks 1, 2 and 4 of the preseason.
Kirk Cousins and company went three-and-out in all three of the drives that they took against Green Bay's starting defense and only gained a total of 8 yards on those series. The starters have now failed to move the chains on all five of their drives against opposing first-team defenses this preseason.
They did, however, improve from -1 yards of offense against the Ravens to 13 yards in this game, so that's an improvement I guess. The other 141 yards produced by Washington's starters came against Packers backups. This showing was a pretty far cry from last year's regular season statement game against these same Packers on Monday Night Football.
Note: * - Denotes starters in the following tables
QUARTERBACKS
Quarterbacks (3 Players) | ||
Player | Snaps | Snap % |
Kirk Cousins * | 37 | 52% |
Nate Sudfeld | 19 | 27% |
Colt McCoy | 15 | 21% |
Kirk Cousins- Kirk Cousins' line of 14 completions for 144 yards, a touchdown and no sacks or interceptions on 23 dropbacks is more than a bit deceiving. For one, he only threw 5 first downs on those 23 passes (22%). Even more importantly, barely any of his production came against the Packers' starting defense. Cousins went 2 for 6 with 9 yards and 0 first downs against Green Bay's first-team D.
That brings him to the following totals against starters this exhibition season: 7 attempts, 3 completions, 14 yards, 0 first downs, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 1 sack, 42.9% completion percentage, 2 yards per attempt and a 50.3 passer rating. Woof!
Kirk Cousins' poor production in this game is likely the main reason that he played on more snaps in the second week of the preseason than any starting Redskins passer has in the last six years. He was rested and didn't even play in last season's second preseason game.
Colt McCoy- McCoy looked much improved off of his disastrous outing against the Ravens in Week 1 (1 sack, 1 interception, 21.3 rating). Against Green Bay, McCoy went 7 of 11 for 70 yards, 3 first downs and a touchdown. He led all Washington signal callers in completion percentage (63.6%), yards per attempt (6.4) and passer rating (111.9).
Nate Sudfeld- Sudfeld was not able to engineer a game-winning drive the way that he did in the second week of the preseason last year. He fell short this time, as he only put up 64 yards, 6 completions and 3 first downs, with all but 5 yards of that production coming on his third and final drive of the game under center.
For the fourth time in his five career preseason games, Suds has had a completion percentage below 55% (54.5%), a yards per attempt average below 6.0 (5.82) and a passer rating under 80.0 (71.8).
WIDE RECEIVERS
Wide Receivers (12 Players) | ||
Player | Snaps | Snap % |
Ryan Grant * | 33 | 46% |
Jamison Crowder * | 32 | 45% |
Terrelle Pryor * | 26 | 37% |
Robert Davis | 23 | 32% |
Brian Quick | 19 | 27% |
Josh Doctson | 18 | 25% |
Zach Pascal | 16 | 23% |
James Quick | 14 | 20% |
Matt Hazel | 12 | 17% |
Jamari Staples | ST Only | N/A |
Maurice Harris | DNP | N/A |
Levern Jacobs | DNP | N/A |
Terrelle Pryor- Terrelle Pryor was in on 26 of the first 27 snaps taken by the offensive starters, but was held in check for the second game in a row. He was unable to corral a third-down pass from Cousins in the red zone, which was his second drop in as many games. He did find some redemption when he hauled in an 11-yard pass to set up the Redskins' initial first down of the game.
Through two games, Pryor has posted a disappointing line of 2 starts, 33 snaps, 3 targets, 1 reception, 0 first downs, 2 drops and 11 yards.
Josh Doctson- Doctson replaced Pryor on the first-team offense's final drive of the game (10 snaps). He caught a 10-yard slant for a first down to move Washington into the red zone and set up the only touchdown scored by the starting offense this preseason. He also prevented the Bills from intercepting a Colt McCoy pass on his lone second-half target.
Ryan Grant- It's time for Jay Gruden to elevate Josh Doctson into the starting lineup over Ryan Grant, who is already in regular season form, which is not a compliment to Grant. On consecutive plays in the second quarter, he only mustered a yard on a bubble screen and then proceeded to run a 6-yard route on a third-and-seven play on his next reception. Grant dropped his only other target.
Grant's 43 snaps rank second among all skill position players on the team so far this August, but all he has to show for it is 3 receptions for 24 yards and 1 first down.
Jamison Crowder- In his return from injury, Jamison Crowder saw the field 32 times, but was only able to catch two of his five targets for a pair of 4-yard gains. Fortunately, for Crowder and the Redskins, one of those receptions came on a fourth down touchdown pass at the end of the first half, Washington's first touchdown of the preseason. Four of Crowder's five targets came on plays in which he worked out of the slot.
Robert Davis & Zach Pascal- Robert Davis and Zach Pascal were the team's most productive wideouts against Green Bay.
After not being targeted once against Baltimore, Pascal caught 3 of his 5 looks for 27 yards and first down.
Davis was even better. For the second game in a row, he led all Washington wideouts in targets (5), first downs (2) and yards (36). He leads the team in all three categories and in receptions this preseason.
Other Wide Receivers- Brian and James Quick (no relation) did not catch a pass on three combined targets. Brian Quick also committed an offensive pass interference penalty. This game certainly did not help his prospects of making the team.
Matt Hazel had 2 receptions for 9 yards on 3 targets. Hazel has now amazingly totaled 15 yards on 9 targets this preseason (1.67 yards per target).
New addition Jamari Staples only appeared on one special teams snap and Maurice Harris and Levern Jacobs were held out for the second week in a row with injuries.
TIGHT ENDS
Tight Ends (7 Players) | ||
Player | Snaps | Snap % |
Vernon Davis * | 36 | 51% |
Niles Paul | 24 | 34% |
Derek Carrier | 22 | 31% |
Jeremy Sprinkle | 7 | 10% |
Manasseh Garner | 1 | 1% |
E.J. Bibbs | 1 | 1% |
Jordan Reed | PUP | N/A |
Vernon Davis- After playing on all 6 starter snaps last week, Davis was in on 36 of the 37 plays with the starters in this game. The veteran tight end caught 2 of the 4 passes thrown his direction for 49 yards. Davis' 43-yard reception at the end of the first half was the longest play in the game and was the key play on the first team's lone scoring drive.
Niles Paul- The versatile Niles Paul saw the field 24 times, with 8 of those snaps coming with the starters, and caught a 16-yard touchdown on a back shoulder pass in the red zone. Paul is a lock to make the final roster, assuming that he can stay healthy for the first time in the last three years.
Since the 2015 preseason, Paul has only been healthy enough to play just shy of 400 total snaps (offense plus special teams) in both the preseason and regular season combined.
Derek Carrier- Derek Carrier saw 12 snaps of action, including 3 plays with the first-team offense in three tight end packages (13 personnel). All three of those snaps came on Robert Kelley running plays on the same drive in the second quarter. Kelley rushed for a total of 4 yards and 0 first downs on those plays.
Carrier had no chance of catching his only target in the game, a short hopped pass by Nate Sudfeld on the Redskins' final drive of the game.
Other Tight Ends- Jeremy Sprinkle played on 7 second-half snaps, but was not targeted. Manasseh Garner and E.J. Bibbs only got time with the offense on a snap a piece. Mercifully for the sake of the sputtering first-team offense, Jordan Reed was activated off of the PUP list yesterday.
RUNNING BACKS
Running Backs (6 players) | ||
Player | Snaps | Snap % |
Chris Thompson | 21 | 30% |
Samaje Perine | 12 | 17% |
Mack Brown | 19 | 27% |
Robert Kelley * | 16 | 23% |
Matt Jones | 2 | 3% |
Kenny Hillard | 1 | 1% |
Robert Kelley- Kelley was only able to manage 9 yards and a single first down on 9 carries.
Through two exhibition games, Kelley has moved the ball just 11 yards on 12 rushes (0.9 average). He has one first down on those plays. He also has a pair of 5-yard receptions (0 first downs).
If you use the 40-60-100-100 success rate methodology, Kelley has only been successful on 25% of his rushes and 33% of his total opportunities in the preseason. His long rush and reception have gone for 4 and 5 yards respectively. Finally, Kelley, who is known for always gaining positive yardage, has failed to do so on 5 of his 11 rushes (45%).
Samaje Perine- If Kelley continues to falter Perine should and will get an opportunity to take his job at some point. Perine was easily the Skins' best runner on Saturday. He carried the rock 8 times for 45 yards (5.6 Y/C) and had two of the team's three rushing first downs for the second week in a row. He also forced 2 missed tackles and averaged 3.8 yards after contact. Perine's 29-yard reception brings him to a team-leading 74 yards from scrimmage and 3 first downs.
He rushed for 8 or more yards three times in the game, which is equal to the combined number of times that the rest of the team had a rush of 4 or more yards in the entire game. If you up it to 5 yards then it's 3 to 1, with Nate Sudfeld's 5-yard scramble being the only other such play. Perine finished the game with a 75% rushing success rate.
Chris Thompson- Thompson led all running backs in the game with 21 snaps. Although, to be fair, Kelley had outpaced him by a count of 16 to 11 prior to Washington's 2-minute drill at the end of the first half.
Thompson took one carry for 3 yards and was stuffed on the goal line for a loss 2 yards, but he did shine as a receiver out of the backfield. CT caught all 5 of his targets for a team-high 52 yards and 2 receiving first downs. The Redskins' second longest play of the game came on a Thompson wheel route that went for 29 yards. Thompson ranks second in yards per route run by an RB this preseason.
Matt Jones- Jones was the fourth running back off the bench again, but got a carry on all of his snaps! Unfortunately, for Jones he only received two snaps and rushed for 2 yards on each play. That brings him to a grand total of 12 snaps and 5 rushes, 3 rushing yards and 0 rushing first downs this August. His only successful play this preseason was on a 17-yard screen play that moved the chains.
The only way that Jones will make this roster is if Robert Kelley suffers a serious injury, and that might not even be enough.
Other Running Backs- Mack Brown got 19 snaps and caught passes of 4 (first down) and 13 yards. He did not get a carry in the game. Kenny Hillard got a single token snap.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Offensive Linemen (15 Players) | ||
Player | Snaps | Snap % |
Trent Williams * | 37 | 52% |
Shawn Lauvao * | 37 | 52% |
Spencer Long * | 37 | 52% |
Brandon Scherff * | 37 | 52% |
Morgan Moses * | 34 | 48% |
Ty Nsekhe | 23 | 32% |
Tyler Catalina | 22 | 31% |
Kyle Kalis | 22 | 31% |
Vinston Painter | 22 | 31% |
Chase Roullier | 22 | 31% |
John Kling | 14 | 20% |
Kendall Pace | 12 | 17% |
Ronald Patrick | 12 | 17% |
Arie Kouandijo | 12 | 17% |
Isaiah Williams | 12 | 17% |
Starting Offensive Line- This group did not allow a sack this week, but they were a major factor in the running game only producing 10 yards on 11 first-half carries (0.91 yards per carry). Combine that with last week's 3 runs for 2 yards and you're up to 14 rushes for 12 yards (0.86 Y/C) behind the first-team OL.
Four of the five starting O-linemen played all 37 first-half snaps and were tied with Kirk Cousins for the team lead in snaps played. This is the most snaps taken by the first-team line since 2012.
The one exception was Morgan Moses, who was injured on the second play of the game and replaced by Ty Nsekhe for the next three snaps.
Second-Team Offensive Line- Nsekhe was joined by Kyle Kalis, Chase Roullier, Tyler Catalina and Vinston Painter on the second unit.
This combination paved the way for the bulk of the Redskins' rushing production in the game on their 22 snaps (54 of the team's 64 yards and 2 of their 3 rushing first downs). Washington averaged 4.91 yards per carry behind this line.
Third-Team Offensive Line- The third unit consisted of the following players (from left to right): Kendall Pace (LT), Arie Kouandijo, Ronald Patrick, Isaiah Williams and John Kling. Kling gave up the Redskins' only sack of the game.
Kouandijo has now played with the third stringers in both preseason contests. Nate Sudfeld dropped back to pass on all 12 snaps taken by this group.
ALL OFFENSIVE SNAPS
Offense (43 Players) | Offense (continued) | |||||
Player | Snaps | Snap % | Player | Snaps | Snap % | |
Kirk Cousins * | 37 | 52% | Josh Doctson | 18 | 25% | |
Shawn Lauvao * | 37 | 52% | Robert Kelley * | 16 | 23% | |
Spencer Long * | 37 | 52% | Zach Pascal | 16 | 23% | |
Brandon Scherff * | 37 | 52% | Colt McCoy | 15 | 21% | |
Trent Williams * | 37 | 52% | John Kling | 14 | 20% | |
Vernon Davis * | 36 | 51% | James Quick | 14 | 20% | |
Morgan Moses * | 34 | 48% | Matt Hazel | 12 | 17% | |
Ryan Grant * | 33 | 46% | Arie Kouandijo | 12 | 17% | |
Jamison Crowder * | 32 | 45% | Kendall Pace | 12 | 17% | |
Terrelle Pryor * | 26 | 37% | Ronald Patrick | 12 | 17% | |
Niles Paul | 24 | 34% | Samaje Perine | 12 | 17% | |
Robert Davis | 23 | 32% | Isaiah Williams | 12 | 17% | |
Ty Nsekhe | 23 | 32% | Jeremy Sprinkle | 7 | 10% | |
Derek Carrier | 22 | 31% | Matt Jones | 2 | 3% | |
Tyler Catalina | 22 | 31% | E.J. Bibbs | 1 | 1% | |
Kyle Kalis | 22 | 31% | Manasseh Garner | 1 | 1% | |
Vinston Painter | 22 | 31% | Kenny Hillard | 1 | 1% | |
Chase Roullier | 22 | 31% | Jamari Staples | ST Only | N/A | |
Chris Thompson | 21 | 30% | Maurice Harris | DNP | N/A | |
Mack Brown | 19 | 27% | Levern Jacobs | DNP | N/A | |
Brian Quick | 19 | 27% | Jordan Reed | PUP | N/A | |
Nate Sudfeld | 19 | 27% |
*All statistics are courtesy of CSN Mid Atlantic, ESPN, NFL.com, NFL Gamebooks, Pro Football Focus, Pro Football Reference, Real Redskins and Redskins.com*