Week 3 Good, Bad, Ugly: Will Redskins' coaching staff make it through the season?

Washington failed to impress on both on sides of the ball. Another disappointing loss to the Bears leave fans weary and jobs in jeopardy.

Author:
Lynn Pierce
Updated:
Sep 25, 2019 7:03 AM EDT

The Washington Redskins fell to 0-3 on the season after losing 31-15 to the Chicago Bears. The Bears defense dominated the game, forcing five turnovers, all by Redskins' quarterback Case Keenum. Offensively, the Bears found a groove and coasted to a win. Monday's night loss was barely good, a lot of bad, and very ugly for the Redskins.

The Good: Terry McLaurin

McLaurin continues to shine as the Redskins primary playmaker, finishing with 6 catches, 70 receiving yards, and one touchdown. The rookie has posted at least five catches, 50 yards, and a score in each of his first three games and is proving to be more than a burner. He's become a red-zone target and a reliable weapon to move the chains, establishing himself as Redskins' best offensive player.

McLaurin's hot start places him in the early conversation as a dark horse contender for Offensive Rookie Of The Year.

The Bad: Case Keenum

The NFC Championship in 2018, Minnesota Vikings versus the Philadelphia Eagles, proved to be the blueprint to defeat a Case Keenum led offense...pressure, pressure, pressure, and more pressure. It forces Keenum to make questionable decisions. It was the Philadelphia Eagles' second-half pressure that stifled Keenum and the Redskins' offense in Week 1. Pressure is why the veteran quarterback is starting for his fourth team in four seasons. Pressure is why Chicago won this game by half time.

Monday night's performance was a terrible showing for the journeyman quarterback, who threw three interceptions, fumble three times, two which were recovered by the Bears, amidst four sacks taken. An easy blame would be the offensive line and pass protection; however, all three interceptions were egregious mistakes a quality veteran quarterback like Keenum should not make.

HaHa Clinton-Dix, former Redskins safety, snagged two interceptions, one being a pick-six, simply by reading quarterback eyes as Keenum locked onto the receiver.

Kyle Fuller jumped a route on an under-thrown pass for his interception and Keenum appeared to be flustered and completely off rhythm.

The Ugly: Coach Jay Gruden and the Coaching Staff

Monday's night primetime game was a coaching clinic and after a disappointing start to their season, Coach Matt Nagy and Mitch Trubisky's Bears finally shook their offensive woes. On the other sideline, the Redskins continue to lack both an offensive and defensive identity. There seems to be an absence of what the team can rely on week-to-week from their players, units, and scheme.

The Bears exploited this absence of direction.

Trubisky, who had played fairly poor leading up to bout against the Redskins, found targets like Taylor Gabriel and Allen Robinson mostly on underneath and crossing routes. Trubisky entered the game averaging 4.1 yards attempt as a passer,an indication he isn’t comfortable throwing down the field from the pocket. It begs the question why weren't the Redskins more aggressive and exotic with their blitz and looks as a unit.

Responsibility probably should not be place on the players and the pass rush, but on scheme.

Creating mismatches is one way of exploiting a defense and Nagy did an exceptional job in this regard. Using Gabriel on a crossing route underneath, linebacker Jon Bostic was forced into man coverage. Bostic had no chance, thus a big play for Gabriel.

In the red zone the Redskins coverages and assignments broke down leaving players wide open. This constant miscommunication is at the feet of defensive coordinator, Greg Manusky. He was clearly outschemed by Nagy.

Offensively the play calling was odd and mostly ineffective by Gruden. The Bears possess one of the better defensive unit in the NFL. The front seven is fast, strong, and rangy while the secondary includes several ball hawkers. Yet the use of play action, shotgun formations, and deep down the field routes were used too often. The best way to negate a pass rush is quick throws and to establish the run. The Redskins continued to call plays that required Keemun to take deep drop backs. Coupled with not doubling Khalil Mack, and it was a disaster offensive showing. In the second half, when the Redskins move the ball more effectively, it was because the combination of screens, quick throws, and the running game.

A lot of media chatter will focus on Gruden losing his job, but at least for this season, it's unlikely. The offensive head coach-young quarterback trend is too important to the growth of that signal caller. Patrick Mahomes has Andy Reid. Carson Wentz has Doug Pederson. Jared Goff has Sean McVay. The point is Dwayne Haskins will start at some point this year, and Coach Gruden as the head coach and play caller is his best chance at early success.

The defense is simply not performing though it has plenty talent. Redskins' next three games are against the Giants, Patriots, and Dolphins. Two of those three games are winnable. If the defense does not perform well then Manusky will be looking for another job.