Redskins Vs. Texans - Studs and Duds

This was one of the most emotional games I can remember watching as a Redskins fan in recent memory. This contest, which was chalked full of highs and lows, came down to the very last seconds, and although the game winning field goal fell a bit short, the team fought hard through adversity to be in the position they were at the end of the game.

Despite the tough loss, I’m very very proud of how hard this team played throughout the football game!

Below are my Studs and Duds, followed by some comments.

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Studs:

Colt McCoy: He didn’t even get to play a full half of football, but when he was under center, McCoy got rid of the ball quickly, accurately, and used his legs to make plays when needed. He was 6-12 for 54 yards and a touchdown, and had 7 carries for 35 yards after coming in for the injured Alex Smith, and nearly led the Redskins to the win at the end of the game.

Adrian Peterson: Peterson showed a great jump-cut and explosion on his two touchdown runs. He only had 16 carries, but he made them count when needed. He did put the ball on the ground after yet another great jump-cut to get outside, but it was luckily recovered by us.

Jordan Reed - Reed led all pass catchers with seven receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. He was getting open, securing the football, and getting YAC. He did have a miscommunication in the endzone with Alex Smith that resulted in a pick six, but I’m not sure we can pin that all on Reed, as it looked to me like he was running a pivot route on the play, and Alex was just not on the same page.

Trey Quinn - Quinn, in his first NFL regular season game action, caught four passes for 49 yards. This was the first time in weeks I have seen a Redskins wide receiver run through an opposing secondary open. I guess the personnel DOES make a difference.

Ty Nsekhe: Nsekhe continued to play well at left tackle filling in for the injured Trent Williams. He didn’t have an easy job on the afternoon against Clowney, but overall, he did a pretty darn good job.

Preston Smith: Smith is starting to turn it on after being absent for the better part of the first eight games this year. He recorded four tackles, a sack, and a batted pass which he intercepted.

Ryan Kerrigan: Kerrigan was in Watson’s face all afternoon. He had a sack and multiple QB hits and hurries.

Ryan Anderson: I have been impressed with Anderson as of late. He’s really started to elevate his game. He’s been able to make some splash plays, which we did not see last year, and he’s growing more consistent each week. He had four tackles (one for a loss as you’ll see below). He was also playing some off-the-ball linebacker.

DaRon Payne/Jonathan Allen: Payne was very active on the afternoon after two sub-par games. He collected seven total tackles and had a few pressures to go along with them. Allen collected four tackles and multiple quarterback hits.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: Ha Ha led the team in tackles with 13 total, and was around the football all day. You can see he’s starting to pick up this defense, and boy, watch out when he does!

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Duds:

Vernon Davis: Two big drops in this game. Vernon has got to help his QB, especially when all the attention is being given to Jordan Reed.

Michael Floyd: Complete the damn catch (it was great effort on that high pass from Smith on the sidelines though)! And when you do secure the football, please hold on to in throughout the play. Him not coming back to the football on the out route late in the fourth quarter, when the game was on the line, was costly too. Poorly run route.

Tony Bergstrom: It was a rough game for the veteran guard, especially in run blocking. He did not fair well against the Texans front.

Mason Foster: I don’t know what Foster is doing out there, but he can’t get off blocks and get to the ball carrier, can’t track down ball carriers on the outside, and can’t cover.

Danny Johnson - Just please, stay in the endzone on kickoff returns. And if you do have to return it, put your damn mouthpiece in!

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Notes:

- Someone tell me how this penalty is not called, yet the refs call a phantom hold against Josh Norman that forces the Redskins to burn their time outs late in the fourth quarter.