If we’re being honest, that was just about the best-case scenario for the Washington Redskins. In the end, it will go down on the stat sheet as a 37-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Redskins were actually in the game and leading most of the way. Meanwhile, the loss helps them in the NFL Draft Stock watch, as the New York Giants picked up a win to even the records.
The rookie players looked great, Dwayne Haskins showed poise and aggressiveness, and all in all, the team looked like a team capable of doing some things in the future. Here are our biggest takeaways from the game.
Redskins Rookies Show Out
When Redskins wide receiver Paul Richardson Jr. was sent to the injured reserve on Saturday, it was decided in Washington that the offense would be spearheaded by a rookie quarterback, and three starting rookie receivers.
In Sunday’s game against the Eagles, those players showed out, and two of them had career days.
Haskins orchestrated a great game for the offense, and he finished with a career-high 261 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19-for-28 passing. He also added 26 yards on the ground. While Terry McLaurin added to his impressive season with 130 yards and 1 touchdown, rookie WR Steven Sims Jr. also picked up the first touchdown of his career, and he finished with 45 yards, as well as an impressive game on special teams.
The Redskins are young and inexperienced, but anyone that has watched them over the course of this season has been able to witness an abundance of growth that should be encouraging for any fan in Washington.
Urban Meyer is the Creator of Buzz
It was reported on Sunday morning before the game that former Ohio State University coach Urban Meyer was in the building, and he was hanging out with Redskins’ owner Daniel Snyder. Meyer ended up sticking around throughout the game, and he watched the contest from Snyder’s owner’s box alongside QB Alex Smith, who Meyer coached at the University of Utah years ago.
This is important for two reasons. First of all, Meyer has been rumored to be eyeing a return to coaching, and his name has been linked to a few jobs in the NFL. The Redskins are in the process of looking for a new coach, and potentially hiring someone like Meyer would be an absolute win for the franchise.
Meyer picked a great game to attend, as well, as it was the most watchable performance that the Redskins have put on this season. His former QB, Dwayne Haskins, looked highly competent, and his former WR Terry McLaurin continued his outstanding rookie season. Meyer was also able to see the young and dynamic group of playmakers on the Redskins’ roster, which could potentially convince him that there is something to work with in Washington, should he come out of retirement.
This is not to say that Meyer is a legitimate coaching candidate for the Redskins, but his attendance on Sunday definitely raises some eyebrows. He has the connections to Washington, and he was at least willing to let Snyder pitch to him for an afternoon. Whether or not he seriously considers the job is a different conversation, but it should at least be encouraging to Skins fans to see him in the building.
AP Defies Age Once Again
This feels like the 100th time we’ve written this takeaway, but it still holds true. Adrian Peterson defeated Father Time once again on Sunday, as he finished the game with 66 yards and 1 touchdown on 16 carries.
With the RB1 role all to his own now with RB Derrius Guice out for the season, Peterson was able to get the job done and then some for the Redskins. With his second-half touchdown, AP moved into a tie for fourth place on the NFL All-Time Rushing Touchdown list, now sitting neck-and-neck with Walter Payton with 110 TDs.
Peterson receives a $500,000 bonus if he is able to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season, and as it stands now, he is just 282 yards away. Will he get it in the final two weeks? We will see.
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