Redskins Win on Last Second Hopkins Field Goal 15-13

By:Russ Taliaferro

Headline Photo Credit: Darrell Owens-LMS Network

Redskins took on the Jets in their second preseason game last. They squeaked by with with a 15-13 victory thanks to a last second FG by Dustin Hopkins, who scored all the teams points on FG’s. The 40-yard game winner was the longest of the five that he made in the night (22, 35, 26, 28, 40). Last night, did see the debut of Alex Smith in a Redskins uniform. Smith played the first series & already had fans worried when he took a roughing the passer penalty on his first snap. Smith completed 4 of 6 pass attempts on the drive  & even reconnected with Vernon Davis on a pretty 16-yard gain. The drive did stall out at the Jets 4-yard line & they had to settle for Hopkins’ first FG. Unlike the Jets though, the Redskins know exactly who their starting QB is for week 1. Backup QB Colt McCoy came in after & had himself a very solid game with the second team. He is credited with an interception, but it clearly wasn’t his fault, as the ball bounced right off of Cam Sims’ chest & right into Safety Doug Middleton’s hands. Sims would redeem himself though, making a few more plays later in the game. As far as the teams running back situation, last night’s game didn’t make it any clearer. The team had 7 different players with a rush attempt in the game, none of them being Chris Thompson, who right now seems to be the only one in the unit guaranteed quality playing time this season. When asked about his running backs after the game, coach Gruden admitted that he wanted to get certain guys a few more touches saying,

“It will be a tough deal for us to figure all that I out, but we will.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Redskins didn’t look too bad. The Alabama Freight Trains of Jonathan Allen & first round pick Da’Ron Payne made an impact, causing constant pressure for rookie Sam Darnold, totaling 4 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss & a QB hit in their limited play together.

Even with Teddy Bridgewater showing he can still play, the teams back 7 hovered close to the ball, swarming to it whenever he completed a pass. Overall, the team didn’t look too bad, aside from not scoring a touchdown. Alex Smith’s first drive wasn’t anything flashy, but that’s not why they got him. They got him to move the ball down the field, which he did. They shouldn’t have too much to worry about on offense, except the running back situation. As long as Payne can continue his Alabama connection with Allen, even Ryan Anderson too, that front 7 is going to make a certain impact in the NFC East. They’re still searching for a solid starter opposite Josh Norman, but thank goodness for them, they still have 2 more games to figure that out starting with the Broncos next Friday, August 24.