The first game under interim head coach Bill Callahan was a success with the Washington Redskins defeating the Miami Dolphins 17-16. The match-up featuring two winless teams was not always pretty but was competitive affair for the most part. Callahan showed a bigger commitment to the run game, and the defense suffocated the Dolphins for the majority of the game. This was from a clean game as the Redskins allowed the Dolphins to hang around and actually have a chance to win the game at the end.
The Good
- Terry McLaurin- Each week the rookie McLaurin continues to impress and this week was no different. McLaurin had four catches for 100 yards and the two Redskins touchdowns. Right now McLaurin looks like the steal of the draft and the unquestioned top receiver of this team. You can see that Case Keenum trusts McLaurin and looks his way often.
- Adrian Peterson- The player that may have benefited the most from the coaching change is Peterson. Callahan spoke on wanting to be more physical and run the ball and Peterson responded. Peterson rushed 23 times for 118 yards, and looked a lot like last season’s 1,000 yard campaign. Peterson did have a fumble on what looked like a sure touchdown that could have effectively ended the game late in the 3rd quarter.
- Quinton Dunbar- Dunbar is continuing to show growth and knowledge of the game. Dunbar added another interception against the Dolphins to increase his season total to three. The games he missed against the Cowboys and Bears, the secondary was in bad shape. Dunbar is turning into game changing corner that the Redskins desperately need.
The Bad
- Fourth Quarter Defense- For three quarters the Redskin were the far superior team on both sides of the ball. In the fourth quarter that dominance went away and the Dolphins came alive. The Dolphins benched struggling quarterback Josh Rosen and inserted backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. The defensive game which was perfect for Rosen was never adjusted for Fitzpatrick almost cost the Redskins the victory. In game adjustments for this team have been non-existent and that was the same today.
- Putting the Game Away- While the defense was hold the Dolphins offense at bay, the Redskins offense had a chance to make the game out of reach. With the score 14-3 the offense put together another impressive drive all the way to the Dolphins one yard line. Peterson fumbled on the next play and the team settled for a field goal. The next two offensive possessions the offense went three and out. Meanwhile the Dolphins started to mount a comeback. With a chance to run the clock out the offense was unable to do that as well, which gave the Dolphins a chance to win the game at the end. This was the first time for this offense this season but it was a big issue.
The Ugly
- Josh Norman- Josh Norman is the biggest target off fans for the teams struggles. For three quarters he was relatively quiet, then the fourth quarter he became a frequent target of Fitzpatrick. The touchdown where he was in coverage, safety Landon Collins was supposed an inside to prevent that throw, but his attention was taken by a receiver in the flat. These mistakes always seem to happen around Norman. Norman also has to cut down the penalties as well and be the leader he needs to be.
- Josh Rosen- The former number 10 overall pick, was traded to the Dolphins from the Arizona Cardinals for a chance to be their franchise quarterback. Finally given the reigns of the team in week 3, Rosen has but up and down. The Redskins confused Rosen holding him under 100 yards passing, forced two interceptions, and sacked him five times. Rosen was pulled this game but Brian Flores said that Rosen would start next week. Rosen knows that this is his audition because the Dolphins be looking for a franchise quarterback in the draft.
