Simple Solution to the Redskins Third Down Woes

One of the primary reasons the Washington Redskins will be sporting a record of 2 wins and 6 losses through the first have of the season (assuming no big upset in Dallas on Monday night), is their lack of play-making on both sides of the ball on third down.

There is little that the Redskins can do mid-season to address their two main personal deficiencies -- their offensive line and their defensive backfield, but their is one simple strategic change they can make that is their best chance of solving this third down problem for the remainder of this this season. Start going for it on fourth down.

At first blush this may seem like a flip and impractical solution, but most non-conventional ideas are initially viewed that way.  But once this simple concept morphs into a new mindset, it completely changes the dynamics that clearly aren't working for this losing team.

For example, with conventional thinking, an Alfred Morris stretch-play run off left tackle for three yards on first down, doesn't accomplishes very much toward the Redskins maintaining control of the ball and the clock. But with a four down mindset, that same three yard gain has now set the team up for the equivalent of a conventional first and seven, with three plays to get seven yards to maintain possession.

And with one of Washington's most dangerous weapons being the high-risk, high-reward first down play action deep throw to speedy wideout Deshawn Jackson, when this play ends up in an incompletion, which it inevitably will more than 50% of the time, the Redskins will be then starting with a conventional first and ten even after a first down miss. If they can hit on even two of these long passes per game, it could make a big difference on the scoreboard, as well as in backing up the defense to allow more room to run the ball and control the clock.

And while there is no real defensive solution to Washington's porous secondary, controlling the ball and the clock on offense may be the best defense that they have right now.  

Now I'm not suggesting that the Redskins go completely reckless or dogmatic with this new four down approach to the point of releasing their punter. If a drive stalls deep inside their own territory, then they should certainly punt. Or if a penalty pushes them back so they end up with 4th and long, then do the prudent thing and make the other team play to a longer field.

But every time the Redskins have a fresh set of downs starting past their own 30 yard line or so, their mentality should switch to a four down approach.

One factor in their late game drive to set up their game-winning field goal against Tennessee last week, was that when the Redskins got the ball back with a little over 2:00 minutes left on the clock and only one timeout remaining, there was no doubt that they would be going for it if they were faced with a fourth down situation.  

And even though they never faced a fourth down on this final drive, even knowing that this was the situation, seemed to liberate them from the stress and errors (false starts, dropped passes and errant throws) that have sabotaged their offensive efficiency through the first half of the year.

And after all, when you are 2 and 6 and all but mathematically out of playoff contention, what do you have to lose!