After digesting the Washington Redskins’ 38-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, Jay Gruden said there were two sideline coaching decisions he’d like to have back.
The first came on the opening drive of the game, when the Redskins faced fourth-and-1 from the Steelers 40-yard line. Rather than going for the short-yardage pickup, Gruden elected to punt.
As Gruden explained his thinking, the hope was that punter Tress Way would pin the Steelers deep in their own end for their opening drive of the game. Way’s punt only made it to the 13-yard line. The Redskins defense forced a Pittsburgh three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but Washington had already squandered an opportunity to score early in a game where they desperately needed points.