Washington Redskins: 3 Big takeaways from loss vs. Texans in Week 11

The Washington Redskins fell to 6-4 after a loss to the Houston Texans but lost far when quarterback Alex Smith went down with a season-ending injury.

The Washington Redskins fell to 6-4 on the season Sunday after a 23-21 loss to the Houston Texans. The loss was much bigger than the one felt in the loss column, however, as quarterback Alex Smith suffered a broken tibia and broken fibula in the loss. Smith is now out for the season and the Redskins are now Colt McCoy’s for the foreseeable future.

For the first time all season, a lead was exchanged in a game involving Washington. It’s been the theme of the season that if the Redskins get a lead, they win. They were 6-0 in games they scored first and never surrendered the lead.

Likewise, they were 0-3 when opponents scored first. In this game, the lead was exchanged multiple times as the Redskins eventually jumped out to a 21-20 lead after two McCoy touchdown drives before the Texans hit what would end up being the game-winning field goal.

The trajectory of the game changed completely when the Redskins were driving late in the first half when Smith was picked off in the end zone on a pass intended for tight end Jordan Reed. Rookie defensive back Justin Reid took the interception and returned it 101 yards to put the Texans up 17-7 just before the two-minute warning.

While the Redskins bounced back later to take the lead, that proved to be a back-breaking turnover as it proved to be at least a 10-point swing in favor of Houston.

Outside of the loss and injury to Smith, here are three takeaways from Washington’s disappointing loss to Houston at FedEx Field.