 |
| Quarterback Robert Griffin III put on quite a show in the Superdome, where he led the Redskins to a win over the Saints on Sunday. (AP Images) |
Five lessons learned from the Washington Redskins' victory against the Saints:
1. The Redskins have a faster offense. With Pierre Garcon and Aldrick Robinson playing the X receiver, the Redskins can stretch the field not only vertically, but horizontally. Robert Griffin III adds to the mix because of his speed as well. They’re also athletic and fast at tight end with Fred Davis and Niles Paul.
2. The zone read will be difficult for teams to defend. The Saints’ linebackers consistently were frozen by zone read fakes. They not only have to worry about the running back carrying the ball, but now also the quarterback -- and then the pass. Their hesitation created open lanes for Griffin in the passing game.
3. Long snapper Nick Sundberg is a tough guy. Sundberg broke his left arm in punt protection late in the first half, yet continued to snap (another eight times). Sundberg said Monday he doesn’t think he can play Sunday, but nothing has been determined.
4. Alfred Morris runs with attitude. The rookie sixth-round pick from Florida Atlantic rushed for 96 yards on 28 carries, so it wasn’t a flashy day. But it was a productive one and Morris only had two negative runs. His power style complements a passing game built on speed.
5. The defense received a boost from the offense. The Redskins’ defenders said they know they can play with less pressure if the offense continues to score the way it did against New Orleans. Too often the defense had to play a near-perfect game for the Redskins to win last season. But having Griffin and the offense show what they did gives them hope and confidence going forward.
John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSRedskins and @John_Keim.
