Redskins Opponent Profile: Washington Faces A Must-Win Game In Philadelphia

Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson (25) eludes the reach of Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Deone Bucannon (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. Bettcher watched Arians call a pair of “no-risk-it-no-biscuit” plays to push a one-point lead to eight late in the fourth, and then sent constant pressure on Washington’s final drive. Arizona went on to win the game 31-23, breaking a two-game losing streak.

NFL’S BEST?: The accolades were flowing in the Arizona locker room after another dynamic performance by David Johnson.

The scoring drive signified how unsafe and versatile the Cardinals’ offensive weapons were while reminding the Redskins that a lack of execution on third down will nearly always come back to bite.

After a Washington field goal, Palmer’s 42-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Nelson with 1:56 left gave the Cardinals a 31-23 lead. “And with that opportunity to ice the game and get in the end zone, I thought “I can’t miss this opportunity”. “Larry is a wily vet”, said Norman. “I don’t like the way we came out”, said Gruden, still looking upset as he began his postgame news conference. The offensive line struggled; Shawn Lavao had problems throughout the game, and the team lost Spencer Long to a concussion and Ty Nsekhe (temporarily) to injury. Carson Wents completed 36 of 60 passes for 308 yards and a touchdown against three interceptions.

The Redskins took their first lead in the third quarter when Cousins scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Johnson finished the day with 18 carries for 81 yards, and added nine receptions for 91 yards as he continued to assert himself as the team’s second most important receiver. “It sucked”, Redskins linebacker Will Compton said. “We’ve got to have more passion when we’re out there on the field”. It felt like they were 90 percent on freaking third down today.

“But if we’re talking about 14 carries a game like he’s had the last two weeks, there’s no reason to sub (Kelley) out because he’s not exhausted”, Gruden said. “We’ve got to make sure that we get him more involved, maintain the time of possession and stay more balanced”.

Peterson’s interception sealed the game for the Cardinals, one the team desperately needed to win to jump back into the playoff hunt in the NFC. He is an upbeat coach known among his players for treating them well.

The second came on the game’s final drive. “We’re not even close to thinking about the playoffs right now”.

“We ideally would like to get that running game going a little bit more – more touches for Robert because he’s been very good as far as running the football”.

“Our offense is doing an incredible job each and every week”, Baker said, “but we just keep letting them down on defense, and it’s really frustrating”. Maybe we’re not eating the right food for the pregame meal.