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Washington Redskins: 3 Takeaways from loss to Eagles in Week 13

By Bryan Manning

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 11: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 11: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

3. Adrian Peterson still has it

What if I told you Adrian Peterson would somehow take a carry from his own 10-yard line and go 90 yards to the house on Monday night, yet would still somehow come up short of 100 yards. That’s exactly what happened as Peterson carried the ball just nine times for 98 yards. In a game that was close until the fourth quarter, it’s somewhat inexcusable Peterson would have just nine carries in a game where Sanchez was Washington’s quarterback.

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To be fair to head coach Jay Gruden, there wasn’t a lot of running room against the Eagles most of the night. And, with so many backups playing on the offensive line — two more were injured on Monday — running the ball wasn’t too easy against a stout Philadelphia front seven.

Peterson continues to amaze everyone. Sure, there are games where he doesn’t do much and that’s not entirely his fault. The holes just aren’t there in some weeks and sometimes Peterson does dance a bit too much behind the line of scrimmage. However, on that touchdown run on Monday night, Peterson outran the entire Philadelphia defense at 33 years of age.

In the final four weeks, Gruden needs Peterson if Washington is going to win another game. The Redskins must rely on Peterson and third-down back Chris Thompson to make things easier for Sanchez. If Peterson can get 20 carries, Washington can keep things close. But if Gruden is insistent on throwing the ball 30-35 times, this team has no chance regardless of what Peterson provides.

One thing is certain, Peterson’s season has been a feel-good story for a team that’s needed it.

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