Dallas Cowboys

Jay Gruden Defends Play Calling After Loss To Dallas Cowboys

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said the Sunday loss to the Dallas Cowboys was not his quarterback’s fault. Defending much of the play calling against Dallas, Gruden is looking ahead to Week 3.

After the Week 2 loss at home against rival Dallas Cowboys, the Redskins rank last place in the NFL in terms of rush attempts. The team averages just 14.5 rush attempts per game through the first two weeks of the season.

Running back Matt Jones and the offensive line appeared to have a handle on the run game against Dallas, giving Jones an average of 4.7 yards per rush . This, however, did not skew the play calling in favor of the run. Jones ended the game with only 13 rush attempts amidst a pass heavy second half offense.

Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) scores a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay were content to stick with their original game plan. In post game interviews, Gruden cited “consistency across the board” as a need that the team must address. Kirk Cousins‘ stat line was deceptively ‘okay’ at the end of the game. What the stats didn’t show were the multiple times Cousins over or underthrew open receivers at various momentum shifting points of the game. Head coach Gruden was there to defend the quarterback after the game.

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Kirk’s game will take care of itself. We have total faith that Kirk will get it done. And he will get it done. He has proven that he can be a successful quarterback in this league. He can make all the throws, without a doubt.

We have all the makings to be a great offense. But right now, we’re not great. But we’ll continue to push them and get better and I think the guys will have faith that Kirk will get it turned around, that our offense will get it turned around as long as everybody does their job.

Gruden is looking ahead to another NFC East matchup agains the New York Giants in Week 3. While he continues to defend redzone play calls against both the Steelers and Cowboys, the DC media is questioning the offense’s pass heavy approach. 106.7 The Fan radio show co-host Grant Paulsen tweeted this among other comments following the team’s 0-2 start.

#Redskins have thrown ball 89 times / run it 29 times through 2 games. That’s a 75/25 split. I love throwing the ball but that’s excessive.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 19, 2016

Week 3 will not prove any easier for the Redskins and pressure is mounting to not dig a deeper hole this early in the season. Gruden believes the Skins are close to finding their stride. In many ways, he is right on the mark. Key opportunities were missed in Sunday’s loss to Dallas.

We didn’t make plays when we desperately needed them.

Cousins and the offense are running out of time and must find their rhythm against the Giants next week. Opportunities cannot be missed in another pivotal division matchup. Gruden and the offensive scheme will be carefully watched in Week 3.

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