The Redskins are running the ball like they never have before.
Through three games, they have rushed the ball for 542 yards. That is the highest rushing total through three games for the team since 1946.
Their next best performance came in 1978 when they had 521 rushing yards in their first three games. John Riggins and Mike Thomas were the primary ballcarriers that year with an assist from Clarence Harmon and Benny Malone. They did not carry through their strong start as they finished the year with 2082 yards rushing, 22nd in the NFL.
It would not be surprising if the current Redskins team also fails to maintain its current pace. Alfred Morris is leading the team with 263 yards, a pace that would give him about 1400 yards in 16 games. That’s not out of the question but it would be very surprising for the rookie sixth-round draft pick to pull off a season like that.
But the one who is unlikely to keep running at is current pace is rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, who is second on the team with 209 yards. That would give him over 1100 yards rushing but he won’t make it there. He’ll either stop rushing the ball 10 times a game or he will be injured and miss time.
It would be good for the Redskins if RG3 ran less and a running back like Roy Helu Jr. or Evan Royster picked p the slack in the running game. That would allow them to keep Griffin in a vertical position while continuing to be productive on the ground.
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