by Teddy Owusu

The Washington Redskins suffered their first loss in their third preseason game Saturday, losing to the Baltimore Ravens 23-17. Even worse than the loss was the performance of Coach Jay Gruden’s first team offense, most notably, quarterback Robert Griffin III. Griffin’s preseason struggles continued against Baltimore as the third year quarterback out of Baylor completed just 5-of-8 passes for 20 yards and an interception. Even with his offense not scoring a touchdown throughout preseason, Gruden intends to sit his starters for the preseason finale on Thursday.

“Not a lot of good things happened for our offense,” Gruden said. “But we’re not going to panic and abort ship. We’re going to keep working and get better and get ready for Houston.”

Besides the starting offense’s struggles, there are five key takeaways from the Redskins preseason week 3 loss.

1. Washington’s defense isn’t terrible but is susceptible to the big play. – Both teams’ starting defenses were the best units on the field Saturday. While the Ravens unit was dominant, Washington’s defense was effective with its pass rush, sacking quarterback Joe Flacco twice and stopping the Ravens twice on fourth and one. Washington’s coverage was decent at times, leading to one of the sacks, but was also a step behind on the slick turf at M&T Bank Stadium. 35-year-old Steve Smith Sr. ate up Washington’s secondary on six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. Smith’s touchdown came on a 24-yard pass from Flacco who maestroed the two minute drill to perfection going 6 for 8 for 74 yards on the final drive before the half.
2. Red Zone – One of the areas the team was looking to improve in with the hiring of Gruden was its red zone efficiency. Gruden’s Cincinnati Bengals were among the league’s best in 2013, scoring a touchdown on 73.9 percent of their trips into the red zone. The Redskins last year ranked 20^th at 52 percent. Washington struggled once again in the red zone on Saturday. After turning the ball over on the goal line in week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, Washington’s run game mustered just one yard on two carries before Griffin took a six-yard sack on third down. Washington’s starting unit managed just one Kai Forbath field goal in its only trip into the red zone. With questions on the right side of the offensive line and no real jump ball threat, easy red zone points may be hard to come by.
3. RG3 didn’t look good doing anything. Griffin led a total of six drives – two three and outs, three sacks and his final drive to open the second half began and ended with an interception. It’s hard to limit the things Griffin needs to work on to just pocket passing. Griffin simply looked like he didn’t know what to do with the ball in his hands. Twice he threw the ball to the other team, although one interception was called back. He also fumbled a snap on third down to kill a drive. Aside from ball possession, Griffin hesitated on the majority of his throws and appeared to have forgotten that he is the team’s biggest playmaker when things break down.
4. Kirk Cousins looked good doing everything. Cousins continues to impress. Watching Cousins dismantle teams’ second defensive units from week to week is telling. Cousins has a much clearer approach week to week in comparison to Griffin. Cousins went went 14 for 20 for 122 yards and two touchdowns and delivered crisp, deliberate passes. Coach Gruden hasn’t waivered on starting Griffin but it’s nice to have Cousins as an insurance policy just in case Griffin can’t resurect RG3.
5. Redskins thinning on O-line. Morgan Moses made his preseason debut at right tackle for the burgundy and gold but was helped off after sustaining what was later diagnosed as a sprained right MCL. Morgan injured the knee late in the third quarter when a teammate fell back into the knee, making contact with his helmet. Washington drafted Moses this offseason out of Virginia.