Redskins’ third-down struggles hold offense back

“It’s real hard to get third-and-long when they’ve got Tampa 2,” Morgan said. “They’re going to sit there at the sticks. They’re going to drop eight and hope you mess it up.”

Where the numbers really get interesting, though, is third-and-short. Although the Redskins consider avoiding third-and-long a panacea, they haven’t been better in short-yardage third-down situations.

The Redskins are 0 for 10 this season on third-and-2, -3 and -4. Even when they can keep a defense guessing whether they will run or pass, success has been elusive.

Take, for example, Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Running back Alfred Morris was stopped short on separate carries on third-and-2. He lost 2 yards when defensive end Kroy Biermann shed right tackle Tyler Polumbus’ block, and he gained only 1 when linebacker Sean Weatherspoon penetrated inside left tackle Trent Williams.

“Last week we got some penetration that kind of hurt the play, kind of made us bubble in the backfield,” Morris said. “We just have to get better at third downs.”

Players at every position understand their role in ensuring improvement against Minnesota.

If the Redskins are to be an elite offense, correcting that flaw is the top priority.

Griffin knows he must lead that push. On third down this season, he’s 20 of 33 passing for 195 yards and a touchdown. His passer rating is 87.3.

“In the past game, we had a couple drops, and then there’s plays out there that I could’ve thrown a better ball,” Griffin said. “I look at the receiver and they look at me. We all know who has to come up and make big plays for us. We’ll make them.”

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