First Down

• The offense led the league in first-half runs (53 percent) and were seventh overall in first-down runs (59 percent). It shoots down the theory among some inside and outside the organization that the Redskins didn’t play “Joe Gibbs Football.” They tried. But when a defense can’t stop anybody, Al Saunders has no choice but to try and pass more often.

• Showing how good the offensive line’s pass protection was, the Redskins used “max protection” (when the blockers outnumbered the rushers by at least two, such as seven blockers for five rushers) on only nine percent of the pass plays. And still the Redskins allowed only 19 sacks.

— Ryan O’Halloran