The Washington Redskins had little offensive success on Sunday, mustering up just six points in their season-opening loss to the Houston Texans.
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The biggest reason for the Redskins’ offensive woes was its passing game. Robert Griffin III finished with a respectable line of 29-37 for 267 yards and no interceptions, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Washington didn’t push the ball down the field, often simply settling for short passes.
What was the reason for such an offensive gameplan?
John Kelm of ESPN suggests the Redskins played in such a manner due to a lack of confidence in Washington’s aerial attack.
"I’m not sure coach Jay Gruden has faith the passing game is where it needs to be — that’s not just on quarterback Robert Griffin III, but also on protection, etc. — or whether it can operate a whole lot differently. And defenses can force them into this all game if they want."
It’s worth noting that this could have simply been the game-plan in Week 1 and Washington will open things up against the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday. Kelm writes that “it’s way too early to say if that was a one-game aberration or a philosophy.”
Given how unsuccessful the strategy was against the Texans, hopefully for the Redskins sake this was a one-time deal.
With Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson on the outside, Griffin and the Redskins have the offensive weapons to beat teams deep and they need to take advantage of it sooner than later