LANDOVER — Fast corrections came from Washington Redskins defenders postgame. They allowed 10 points, not 17, they pointed out when the final score was quoted, since the Miami Dolphins scored a here-we-go-again special teams touchdown.
“We held them to 10,” safety Dashon Goldson said.
The 10, it turns out, were not sufficient. Restraining Miami to two rushing yards in the first half did not lead to a win. Sacking Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill three times, stripping him of the football once, near misses on two possible interceptions — none of those plays provided the preferred outcome. Playing that well was almost more of an irritant, considering the Redskins are 0-1 for the third consecutive season.
“Not good enough,” inside linebacker Perry Riley said. “We lost. That’s the most important thing. Of course we take positives from it, [but] we’re not looking for moral victories. We’ve been doing that for too long around here. It’s time to get down to winning. If we don’t win, it’s a bad game regardless of what good you take from it. It’s not where you want to be.”
Only twice did Miami go more than 25 yards in its nine drives. The Dolphins started with a three-and-out when strong safety Duke Ihenacho, who left in the first half because of a broken left wrist, and defensive end Jason Hatcher combined for a third-and-1 stop. The stop was notification from Hatcher a big day was waiting for the Redskins’ oldest player. Hatcher made four combined tackles, had a quarterback hit, tackle for loss and pass defensed. It was a full day for the 33-year-old, who spoke postgame with eye black still smeared across his cheeks.
“We lost,” Hatcher said. “Everybody pissed off. We’ve just got to get better.”
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Miami evolved after the half. It ran less toward the middle of the Redskins’ defense and tried to spread them out. Jet sweeps helped to add 72 yards rushing in the second half after the paltry two it gained in the first half, one of which came on Miami’s second play from scrimmage. The Dolphins also often ran misdirection plays, which the Redskins said they expected.
Universally lamented were possible interceptions dropped by Washington. One chance struck cornerback Chris Culliver in the hands before popping into the air early in the third quarter. If Culliver catches it, the options range from him scoring to the Redskins at least taking over around the Dolphins’ 30-yard line. Instead, Miami was able to punt, pushing Washington back to its 34-yard line.
The Dolphins also took note of when backup cornerback David Amerson entered the game. Miami scored its only offensive touchdown on the final drive of the first half. A roughing-the-passer penalty on nose tackle Chris Baker helped express the Dolphins down the field. He hit Tannehill late and low. Combining the penalty with the 11-yard reception on the play shipped the Dolphins from their 47-yard line to the Washington 27-yard line.
That’s when the Dolphins focused on Amerson. Throughout training camp, Amerson struggled. He played all 16 games last season, and has been progressively moving in the wrong direction on the depth chart since. Formerly a starter, Amerson’s on-field appearances now are rare. On Sunday, he took over for DeAngelo Hall, who was struck in his back and missed the final series of the first half with a rib injury.
Miami threw five consecutive passes at Amerson. The first was a 12-yard reception that converted third-and-11. An incompletion followed. Then, another conversion, this time for 13 yards on second-and-10. Amerson held up against the next pass before a hard cut along the goal line left him heading in one direction and wide receiver Rishard Matthews the other. The result was the lone Miami offensive touchdown, and a 10-10 tie at the half.
Amerson clunking through Sunday was apparent. Less subtle was the ineffective day outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, who signed a five-year, $57.5 million contract extension on the eve of training camp, had. Sunday was supposed to be a fun day for Kerrigan after offseason surgery on his left knee caused him to miss the preseason. Coach Jay Gruden said the missed time was precautionary. Kerrigan was finally back against the Dolphins.
Kerrigan’s statistical line was not atrocious. He was credited with half a sack, a pass defensed and two total tackles. He also crashed down on a Dolphins offensive lineman to thump a loose football back into the air, prolonging a fumble recovery process that lasted for 20 yards and numerous shots at securing the ball.
But, afterward, Kerrigan spoke with severe displeasure. His tone is almost always steady, and it was even during his scathing self-assessment for Game 1. However, his words made his mood apparent.
“Feel fine physically, feel terrible mentally,” Kerrigan said. “I played an awful game. So, I feel, I don’t know; it’s kind of embarrassing. I don’t even want to watch the film.”
What in particular was wrong?
“Just felt like a guy out there,” Kerrigan said. “Just felt like an 11th guy, didn’t do my part. That’s disappointing, because we work too hard and we played too well defensively, offensively, the whole team played too well for me to have that kind of performance.”
To top it off, Kerrigan argued, the Dolphins did not send extra protection his way, a logical decision considering second-year outside linebacker Trent Murphy or rookie Preston Smith were often on the opposite side.
“That’s what makes it even more disappointing, because I’ve got no one to blame but myself,” Kerrigan said.
With that, Kerrigan was done with self-reflection. Another Sunday was lost. There was little else to say.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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