The Washington Redskins are victorious for the first time in the 2019 season. They held on to a 17-16 win over the equally hapless Miami Dolphins.
The Redskins led 17-3 behind a pair of Terry McLaurin touchdown catches. With the Dolphins offense sputtering, head coach Brian Flores made a switch at quarterback, benching Josh Rosen for Ryan Fitzpatrick in the second half.
Fitzpatrick stormed back, completing 12-of-18 passes for 132 yards and huge touchdown with six second remaining that cut Miami’s deficit to 17-16. Considering the Dolphins had nothing to lose, Flores opted to go for a two-point conversion instead of the game-tying extra point.
The Redskins defense was reeling at the point, and it seemed like a perfect idea. Then the Dolphins lined up and threw a screen that went nowhere. The Redskins sniffed it out immediately, closing the final curtain on the game. Even if Kenyan Drake catches the pass, he was going to be immediately tackled.
The play design itself was questionable. Then again not for a team that has been accused of tanking for the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Presumably, to draft Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins may have had draft positioning on their mind, but the Redskins are genuinely trying to turn around their season after the firing of Jay Gruden. This is a start, beating the Dolphins by just one point thanks to a perceived tank job is what it’s come for at this moment for the Redskins.
