Here is a look at some of the more notable numbers and statistics in the Washington Redskins’ crushing 18-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys:
255 – Yards passing for Tony Romo. Given his ‘unbearable, unplayable’ injury, he’s obviously the second coming of Jesus Christ. See next bullet.
250 – Yards passing for Rex Grossman. Not all-world, but not terrible either. Grossman was 22 of 37 for 250 compared to Romo’s 22 of 36 for 255 – pretty much an exact dead heat. Grossman turned the ball over twice with an interception and a lost fumble. Romo didn’t turn the ball over at all, but he and center Phil Costa actually fumbled 4 snaps – somehow the ball kept bouncing nicely for Romo. See previous Messiah commentary.
115 – Yards rushing for Felix Jones on 14 carries. The Cowboys had been struggling to move the ball on the ground in 2011, but unfortunately for the Redskins, they worked some of that out on Monday night. Jones’ longest run was 40 yards, and carried him to an impressive 8.2 yards per carry.
70 – Yards receiving for Santana Moss, to lead all Redskin receivers. Unfortunately after a brilliant 36-yard hook-up with Grossman in the first quarter, Moss was held to just 34 more yards on 4 receptions (5 total).
50 – Yard field goal from Graham Gano. If the bad is pointed out with Gano, then the good should be too. He obviously had nothing to do with the botched hold on the field goal that was missed, and a 50-yard clutch field goal to end the first half, from a guy that has struggled with any kick of importance, certainly bears mentioning. All 4 of his kickoffs were also unreturnable touchbacks.
41 – Yards rushing for Tim Hightower. Other significant Hightower numbers? 14 carries, just 5 in the 2nd half. He did have 5 receptions for 39 yards to add to his totals. The Redskins have to get him the ball more than that.
35 – Yards in penalties for the Redskins, on 4 infractions. Seem like more? Likely due to the dagger 15-yard facemask call on DeAngelo Hall, that was marginal at best, atrocious at worst. Compounding the matter, was the fact that 3 of the 4 hankies resulted in Dallas 1st downs. Dallas by comparison, drew 6 penalties for 55 yards, but only 1 of them resulted in a 1st down.
28 – Minutes of possession for the Redskins. They got away from the run, and in the process, this was the first game this season that the Redskins have been on the losing side of time of possession (the Cowboys had 31:30 to the Redskins 28:30).
21 – As in 3rd and 21. If you watched the game, nothing more need be said.
7 – tackles for Rocky McIntosh to lead the way for the Redskins (5 solo, 2 assisted). He continues to improve in the 3-4, and has really settled in and played good football in the first 3 games.
6 – Field goals from Dan Bailey. The Cowboys couldn’t score a major, but their kicker was money enough to get the win. Bailey hit all 6 of his attempts, and from distances of 41, 27, 32, 41, 23, and 40.
6 – Fumbles by Dallas, but only 1 of them was recovered by Washington (Josh Wilson).
5 – Kickoff returns for 100 yards for Banks. Speedy Banks seemed to have less jump in his step on Monday night. The Cowboys had excellent kickoff coverage, but Brandon didn’t quite seem his electric self.
3 – Number of sacks on Grossman. DeMarcus Ware had one to continue leading the league (5), but Anthony Spencer’s fumble-causing sack was the most detrimental, as it spoiled any hope of a last second comeback.
2 – Carries for Chris Cooley. Neither were spectacular, but 1 was for a first down, and they’re significant because they are the first 2 carries of Cooley’s career.
1 – Sack for Ryan Kerrigan – he also had a forced fumble. That gives the rookie his 2nd credited sack of the season, to go along with season totals of 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 1 touchdown. His ability and motor are not a surprise, but his immediate impact is. Not many players make such a quick transition to the NFL, let alone at a different position. For anyone that questioned the Redskins logic in taking a DE so high to use at LB in the 3-4 – you were incorrect. Kerrigan is the real deal.
1 – Loss for the Redskins.
The last number may be the only statistic that really matters, but the one loss against the Cowboys, is still just one loss on the season. The Redskins are 2-1, and play a very beatable St. Louis Rams team this week (0-3). If they can get back on track in St. Louis and hand the Rams their fourth straight loss, the Redskins will be 3-1 heading into the bye week, and in better shape than most predicted.
@TheHogsdotNet
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Mark Solway