Skins win but lose RG3

It was about as dominating a performance as you will see as the Skins beat up on the Jags 41-10.  About the only thing that went wrong was losing RG3 for most likely the entire year due to a dislocated ankle.  Some of the stats of this game include:

Total Yards: Jax - 148 vs. Skins - 449
Time of Possession:  Jax - 20:59 vs. Skins - 39:01
First Downs:  Jax - 8 vs. Skins - 32

I get that this was Jacksonville and they are not considered strong but this is still an NFL team and to beat up a team that badly says something.

Some of the main points to the game:

1. DEFENSE!!!  Unbelievable job by this group that was terrible last season.  They tied a franchise record with 10 sacks with Kerrigan in on four of them.  Maybe Haslett really was hogtied by Shanny last season.  Thought Amerson was really good in coverage and he looks to be playing with a ton of confidence.  No Cofield?  No problem.  Chris Baker had himself a good game at NT and even Frank Kearse (never heard of this guy) filled in well late in the game.  Jason Hatcher has been a HUGE upgrade at D line so far.  Love his play and his energy.  The one guy that has continued to struggle is Rambo.  Again, he took a very poor angle on the Jag WR and missed a chance to just shove him out of bounds that resulted in another long TD.  He was removed from the game after that play.  I suppose Meriweather is coming back next week after serving his two game suspension so don't think we will be seeing Rambo for a while. 

2. Captain Kirk fires max photon torpedos!!!  Feel terrible that RG3 got hurt.  Thought he was going to have a good year and started this game really well but injuries are a part of the game and it has to be the next man up.  Enter Kirk and he had himself a great game.  For all those people that wanted Kirk, you get your chance.  Kirk was very good and it will be interesting to see what he does this season.  What will be most interesting is if he has a great year then what would the Skins do in the offseason.  Depending on how good the year is, it will be hard to have Kirk sit.  My personal thoughts is that this is good for the Skins.  RG3 will be the starter when he returns.  Kirk has an opportunity to showcase his talents and will definitely add to his value and could bring in a good trade for the Skins.  This will be a fun storyline this season.

3. Where did Niles Paul come from?  Everyone thought Jordan Reed was setting up for a monster year.  Again, next man up.  Out goes Reed, in comes Paul.  Niles does have some issues dropping passes and fumbling but outside of one ball that hit him right in the hands, he had a career day.  Bonus for me as I picked him up for my fantasy team.

4. Special teams looking more special.  This group was an embarrassment last season.  Give credit to Bruce Allen and co. for addressing this in the offseason.  The group looks credible and capable.  Love Andre Roberts as a return guy.  He looks to be a guy that could actually make a difference.  For years the Skins had jokers back there that just couldn't get it done.  Still remember the days of Antwan Randle-El fielding a punt, hopping around in place for a few seconds before getting obliterated.  Roberts been very productive in the return game and seems like just a matter of time before he takes on to the house.  Our punter (don't even know the dude's name) is a HUGE upgrade on Rocca not to mention, he can kickoff into the oppositions end zone.  Coverage has been solid.  Forbath is nearly automatic from 40 yards in. 

5. Gruden opened things up.  He mentioned that the Skins would take shots downfield and he delivered.  RG3 threw a bomb to D Jax that should have been ruled a catch (even former ref now turned CBS officiating expert ruled it should be a catch).  There were several other throws that were downfield.  It was a great mix of pass routes and great balance of attack with nearly a 50/50 split between run and pass.

As mentioned, this was about as unbalanced a game as you will see in today's NFL.  Skins deserve a lot of credit on this one.  It's one game and it's the Jags.  I get it but they should be proud of their performance.  Next up Iggles in Philly.

HTTR!!!