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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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Redskins vs. Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is sacked by Mason Foster #54 and Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. Defense stinks again

Remember early in the season when the talk around the NFL was how much better Washington was on defense? Despite a blowout loss to New Orleans in September, this defense was playing well. It was stopping the run, creating turnovers and forcing field goals in the red zone. The high point of the season came in September after the Redskins shut down Dallas and running back Ezekiel Elliott in a 20-17 victory.

Since that time, the Redskins have given up 38 points to a struggling Atlanta team, 31 points to Dallas and Dak Prescott and allowed 501 total yards to Tampa Bay, despite holding the Bucs to three points. Washington has allowed a host of mediocre backs like Peyton Barber, Josh Adams and Lamar Miller to have success on the ground.

Washington’s struggles on defense are mystifying. The defense has remained healthy, even adding safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at the trade deadline a few weeks back. The normally stout defensive line isn’t making plays at the same rate and the Redskins are getting inconsistent production out of their outside linebackers. Inside linebacker Mason Foster is consistently slow to the ball and is a liability.

The cornerbacks, outside of Josh Norman, are young and inexperienced and it shows on any given week. Clinton-Dix has been a massive disappointment since his arrival.

It’s difficult to pinpoint precisely why this unit is struggling. There does appear to be a disconnect between the front seven and the secondary. And defensive coordinator Greg Manusky seems hapless at times. If this group doesn’t get it together soon, the Redskins will not win another game

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