Game Notes: Washington Redskins Get Their Biggest Win In Two Years

If you read Pro Player Insiders last week, then you shouldn’t be too surprised by the Washington Redskins pulling out an overtime win against the Dallas Cowboys Monday night. But then again, the team has not won a division game since 2012 and had not won in Dallas on Monday night since 2005.

In all honesty, Washington’s 20-17 win was unbelievable. This is not your children’s or toddler’s Dallas Cowboys. This is your grandparents and great grandparent’s Dallas Cowboys. This team has been outstanding this year and many considered them a top-three team in the league. Yet, Washington was able to pull off a win with their third string QB at helm. Unbelievable. This game will be etched in Redskins history.

On to the game notes… No ugly today… Too good of a win.

The Good:

• Without any doubt, rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland deserves first mention. This guy played an exceptional football game. Outside of the Jason Witten touchdown that was likely his fault (have to review the film), Breeland played his heart out. This guy is an ultimate gamer. I know I’ve talked about his safety traits in the past — mostly due to the fact Washington needs a safety and they’re hard to find. However, I didn’t expect for Breeland to be this good at cornerback so early in his career. Breeland had four passes defended Monday Night — no other defensive player had more than one. He also had a forced fumble. Breeland competes every down and he proved that — especially when matched against Dez Bryant — who is arguably a top three receiver in this league. I tell you what, the Redskins have themselves a star in the making with Bashaud Breeland. For him to put on that kind of show, in front of the entire United States of America… Amazing.  Second year CB David Amerson handled himself fairly well Monday Night too. He’s had an up and down season so far. But both players helped the Redskins beat Dallas.

• Hand clap for the Cult of Colt. He had a bad interception early in the game and underthrew a couple balls to DeSean Jackson, but Colt McCoy finished with only five incomplete passes — including that INT. You couldn’t ask more of a QB coming into that kind of situation. McCoy was blood and guts out there — as Rick Doc Walker would say. Just one gutsy player.

• ILB Perry Riley came up huge late in the game with two key tackles in coverage preventing a first down. He also had a nice sack.

• Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett gets the game ball. I don’t know how he does it, but he knows how to scheme up the Dallas Cowboys. Every year, he’s their worst nightmare. Those zero coverage blitz/looks — perfect.

• The Washington Redskins special teams was excellent Monday Night. From coverage, to the early long punt return by Andre Roberts. The late punt by Tress Way — nailing the Cowboys behind their own 10 yard line was clutch. That guy deserves to be elected to the pro-bowl. By the way, how about Akeem Davis? That guy is a beast on special teams.

• The Redskins have a lethal group of receivers. It’ll be interesting to see how they look when RGIII returns. Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson all made huge, clutch plays Monday Night. DJax could have had a few touchdowns if McCoy didn’t underestimate his speed.

• Safety Brandon Meriweather played out of his mind Monday Night. Meriweather is the first member of the Redskins in records available dating back to 1994 to record two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in the same game.

The Bad:

• Head Coach Jay Gruden almost messed the Redskins up with that delay of game late in the fourth quarter. They ended up overcoming that.

• WR Andre Roberts was not been very good on offense — really for the past few weeks. I’m not sure what’s up with him but he’s dropping footballs left and right.

• Redskins Offensive line wasn’t very good. Even Trent Williams had his ups and downs. Shawn Lauvao and Chris Chester continue to play horribly. Not to mention, new starting RT Tom Compton didn’t play exceptionally well either.

• Redskins defensive line shouldn’t have even suited up for this game. I didn’t even know Washington had a defensive line, at times. But to give credit where its due, Dallas has themselves a stone wall on the offensive side of the ball.

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