Washington Redskins Recap: 2018 Week 1 vs Cardinals

By: Drew Willingham

Headline Photo Owned By: Washington Redskins

The game began with Washington receiving the kickoff and ending up with decent field position. 

Adrian Peterson started the game off with a 5 yard run up the middle. Followed by a 16 yard pass from Alex Smith to Jordan Reed for a Redskins first down. The offense would struggle to move the ball throughout the remainder of the drive and end up punting the ball away.

The Redskins Defense was the focal part of this game, as they forced Arizona to 3 punts in the first half. The Cardinals offensive attack looked abysmal at best, only producing 37 yards out of 13 plays during that time.

Washington would enter Halftime with a score of 21-0. The scores were a result of: a 13 yard pass from Smith to Chris Thompson, a 1 yard rush from Peterson, and a 4 yard pass from Smith to Reed. The away team’s momentum was riding high as they went in to the half with the commanding lead.

Going in to the half, Adrian Peterson, who was a Free Agent just a month ago had some decent stats.

(Rushing: 14 att, 53 yards, 1 TD)

(Receiving: 1 Rec, 18 yards)

Peterson’s touchdown would mark his 100th Rushing touchdown of his career and passes Jim Brown on the all time list.

Alex Smith was already living up to his game manager reputation with a showing of great stats as well.

(Passing: 17-20, 168 yards, 2 TD)

(Rushing: 4 att, 11 yards)

Between the Offense and Defense, the Redskins were clicking on all cylinders throughout the first two quarters. In order for them to come away with the win, they would need to capitalize on their opponents mistakes.

The Cardinals started the second half with the ball, but that was the most exciting thing they endured during the third quarter. The team would have 3 possessions in the third quarter with all of them ending disastrously. Two punts and a Sam Bradford thrown Interception would see the game slipping away from Arizona.

The third quarter ended with the same outcome as halftime as Washington lead 21-0.

The Redskins would score on a 31 yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins. The score was 24-0 and Washington appeared to have this one wrapped up.

Arizona would finally punch in a touchdown with a 2 yard rush by David Johnson with (5:47) left in the game. A failed two-point conversion left the Arizona trailing the Redskins 24-6.

The game would end with that score of 24-6, giving Washington a (1-0) start to the 2018 Season. 

Alex Smith would finish the game with solid numbers, proving that he’s dialed in, and ready to get this season going.

(Passing: 21-30, 255 yards, 2 TD)

(Rushing: 8 att, 14 yards)

The rushing attack was lead by the 33 year old veteran Adrian Peterson, who came in to this game with a major chip on his shoulder.

(Rushing: 26 att, 96 yards, 1 TD)

(Receiving: 2 Rec, 70 yards)

The remainder of the offense played big roles in the game, but not as significant as Smith and Peterson played to the offense. The veterans lead the team to Sunday’s victory, proving they still have plenty of gas left in the tank. The question is can the Redskins get more from their other weapons Crowder, Doctson, Richardson, Davis and Kelley just to name a few. This was a great start for the Redskins and with a young Indianapolis Colts team led by their return veteran QB Andrew Luck coming into FedEx Field on Sunday, September 16 for the Redskins home opener, Washington has a solid chance to start the season 2-0.

Washington’s Defense would only give up 14 first downs along with 215 total yards and 1 touchdown. Quinton Dunbar would haul in the Redskins only interception during the third quarter. This Defense will continue to improve as long as they stay healthy. Especially with the play of Jonathan Allen & Rookie De’Ron Payne on the defensive line.

Receivers Trey Quinn and Cam Sims will undergo tests this week as they both suffered injuries and were removed from the week 1 contest.

Next week, Washington takes on the Indianapolis Colts in FedEx Field at 1:00pm.