[SFREDSKIN]

Keim's observations:

Thoughts and observations after the Washington Redskins16-3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

1. There’s always some consternation after a Redskins win – so I’ve noticed over the years – and that was true again Sunday. In some cases it’s about adjusting expectations. That’s not to say you shouldn’t demand a winner, but know who it is you’re rooting for: This team will not turn into some dynamic offense in the next seven games. It’s not in their DNA. They don’t have a quarterback who is adept at simply attacking defenses. Look at the receivers: Name one who scares a defense. I’ll have more on Tampa’s offense in a minute, but there’s a difference in how Washington’s wideouts get played vs. others. And that’s not to place the blame on them, just to point out what we’re watching. The Redskins do have guys who can make contested catches, but they’re not doing a whole lot after the catch because there’s often not a lot of separation. They don’t win quickly off the line. They do play tough and that helps, both on third downs and in the run game. Watch Michael Floyd block a defensive back; when you have little margin for error sometimes those blocks result in key yards that sustains one drive that lead to a win. Josh Doctson blocks well, too. He’s been consistent catching the ball and did a nice job finding the open spot in the end zone Sunday – and Alex Smith did well to extend the play. Yeah, you’d like to see Doctson on pace for a lot more than what he’s done. They would too. But he has helped lately.

2. That doesn’t mean all is well or that things can’t improve. Getting some injured players – such as running back Chris Thompson and receiver Jamison Crowder -- back will help. That is, if they can stay on the field. Both, but Thompson in particular, can do something others on the field just don’t do much right now: make defenders miss. Still, the Redskins too often need scheme to free receivers – it does happen; trust me it’s on film – but it’s also incumbent on the receiver to win his route. Much like Vernon Davis did on the deep play-action in which he was wide open – and missed.

3. The point: Washington will have to keep winning in a way that isn’t always going to look great. Yes, if the Redskins want to do anything in the playoffs they must build a stronger offense. Get there first. And getting there will require winning games like Sunday. They can’t always count on four turnovers. They will need the run game to remain productive. They will need the defense to play better on third downs and stiffen in the red zone. They need Tress Way to keep punting well. They lack much margin for error in games and that won’t change anytime soon. But they have a two-game lead in the NFC East because their formula has worked.

4. Give credit to the Redskins’ offensive line. Of course it could have been better, but they had three new starters and right tackle Morgan Moses was playing with a brace on his right leg. Honestly, after watching him in pre-game, I wasn’t sure how long he would last. They had to gut it out and they did. The run game suffered in the first half. Adrian Peterson rushed for 18 yards on five carries in the first half – and 16 came on one carry. Three of his first-down runs lost yards; starting in a hole is bad for this offense. (And they’ve been bad throwing the ball on first down, another issue). But in the second half, Peterson rushed 14 times for 50 yards – not great, but effective. Only two carries lost yards in the final two quarters. But give credit to Jonathan Cooper, despite two holding penalties, for keeping it together. The three new linemen stayed late after practice, called linemates to ask questions at night. The make shift line spent an extra 40 minutes the night before the game going over the play script. “These guys worked their butts off,” Moses said.

5. When you have this sort of line grouping, you need others to play well. I need to re-watch the game, but saw tight end Jeremy Sprinkle on one drive in particular stand out with a block in space on Kapri Bibbs’ 15-yard draw. Two plays later on Peterson’s 16-yard run, Sprinkle again had a key block (as did Floyd). Other times you see Doctson making a key block. None of that is fancy, but it squeezes out extra yards that this team needs. But, damn, they have to hit those deep open shots like the one Alex Smith missed to Davis. It’s good that Smith doesn’t turn it over; that matters. But if you hit more of those kind of shots you also can afford a pick or two.

6. It’s funny because the Redskins won a game in which they were banged up and playing on the road and against a team that, while not good, was largely picked to win. And yet no one seems happy or at least satisfied. With some players it’s hard to tell if they won or lost – Jonathan Allen in particular. Certainly some felt good because they should. It’s hard to win and, heck, it’s been 11 years since this team was 6-3. But they know how tight the rope is that they’re trying to walk by playing the way they have.

7. It was occasionally maddening to see how much cushion the Redskins’ corners gave Tampa Bay, especially vs. DeSean Jackson. Except that there was a method to this apparent madness. And it’s simple: The Redskins did not want to give up plays over the top. During the week, some Redskins corners shrugged off Jackson catching a nine-yard hitch route, knowing that might move the chains – but it wouldn’t change the game. Indeed, Jackson’s longest catch was for 24 yards. But five Bucs receivers caught passes that went 20 or more yards – but none went for more than 29. That became part of the reason they won. Linebacker Zach Brown – obviously not covering receivers, but well aware of the plan -- said, “We had to make sure we stayed on top of it and kept the ball in front of us.”

8. The Redskins also were confident that Ryan Fitzpatrick would throw them the ball on occasion. It’s not even that he forces throws, it’s that he makes bad ones – like the one that Norman intercepted at the goal line. As Brown said, the running back was running a corner route. “That’s not the best person to throw a seven-route to,” he said. The Redskins counted on that from Fitzpatrick and he delivered. But on the Greg Stroman pick, it was a route the Bucs had run a few times. Stroman said he “just read the receiver. I saw him stemming out and ready to break in and I just drove on it.” Norman said, “the rookie was kind of having himself a long day. He saw that play and they kept coming to him and finally on the third or fourth one he made they pay. Made them pay in a big way.”

9. As for Norman’s comments, it’s funny how that topic even came up. It was a basic question about winning on the road and that clearly touched on a topic Norman wanted to discuss. New Redskins president of business operations Brian LaFemina was about 10 feet away when Norman dove in on the lack of a home field advantage. Improving the game day experience is LaFemina’s task. So I’m not sure what Norman said was what LaFemina would have preferred. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn later that LaFemina had a conversation with Norman on the plane ride home. LaFemina likes transparency so my guess is that he’d fill him in on what they’re doing and why.

10. While we can list a number of reasons why fans aren’t showing up, for players they just know seats are empty. They’re not always clued in as to why that might be the case – or what the organization strategy is in terms of selling tickets. Any player wants their home stadium to be a feared place to play. Any fan wants the same. Tickets are damn expensive so that leads to business decisions by fans if: the team isn’t winning; the experience isn’t great and the team just might not be beloved by them anymore. We all make decisions that suit our needs. But the bottom line is that FedEx is not a good venue for the Redskins. The players can do their part by continuing to win. I’ve long thought the organization had some work to do to win back some of the fan base; winning helps but there are plenty who want to like the organization again. Too often, based on what I hear from people on social media, is that the organization provides reasons to drive people away.