The Washington Redskins earned a second consecutive preseason victory on Monday night with a 24-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers that was much more smooth than the 22-21 defeat they handed the Tennessee Titans in the week prior.
Steelers vs. Redskins: Washington defensive line impresses
Barry Cofield and Ryan Kerrigan led a Redskins defensive line that made plays throughout the first half of Monday night’s preseason game.
Rob Carr
While much of the attention of the game will go to the injury suffered by Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, the defensive line made plays and consistently harassed Ben Roethlisberger. Led by Barry Cofield, who was described by UkRedskin of Hogs Haven as the "star of the show," the Redskins defensive line drew praise from SB Nation's Redskins blog:
The overall pass rush was very promising. The Steelers offensive line did have some changes from last year, but they have spent three recent first round picks on Pouncey, David DeCastro and Mike Adams, so they clearly have some talent there. Missing their best rusher in Brian Orakpo, the Redskins still managed to get consistent pressure, forcing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to scramble to avoid rushers.
The play of the game likely belonged to outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan who managed to record an interception on a screen pass in the first quarter and return it 22 yards for the first touchdown of the game.
Offensively, the Redskins will still be tough to judge until the return of 2012 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback Robert Griffin III, but the team did find some rhythm with third-string passer Rex Grossman at the helm. After Cousins left with a foot injury, Grossman led the team on a touchdown drive in the second quarter that culminated in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Hankerson.
While Hankerson dropped a pass on Monday night, UkRedskin wrote that the touchdown reception was another preview of the potential the young receiver could provide the team with:
The ball was thrown slightly high and in front of Hankerson, who made an outstanding one-handed grab for the touchdown. Hankerson offers the height in the red zone that no other Redskins receiver has. If he could put all of his attributes together on a consistent basis, he’d make an excellent red zone target that the Redskins so desperately need.
The Redskins will next see the field in preseason on Saturday for a home game against the Buffalo Bills that is scheduled to kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET.
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