With The First Pick
Fansided

It does matter if Jay Gruden loses to Sean McVay

By Maurice Barksdale

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

In week 2 the Washington Redskins take on former offensive coordinator Sean McVay and the L.A. Rams.  Does it matter if Jay Gruden loses to his former protegé?

This is one of the more interesting matchups in week 2 of the NFL season.  There’s more drama here than a prime time TV show.  Former apprentice Sean McVay and his Los Angeles Rams square off against his former mentor Jay Gruden and the Washington Redskins.

But so far the apprentices’ season has started off better than the mentor.  McVay notched his first career win as a head coach in week one with a 46-9 destruction of the Indianapolis Colts.  While Gruden lost to NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles.

But make no mistake about it, Jay Gruden cannot afford to lose this game and for two major reasons.  One, if they lose the Washington Redskins will fall to 0-2.  Teams starting out with that record have a much harder time making the playoffs.

Two, Sean McVay called plays for the Redskins offense the past two seasons and Jay Gruden is calling the plays this season.  It will be pretty awkward for Gruden to now lose to the man who used to serve under him?

The Redskins offense looked out of sorts in week one against the Eagles.  Quarterback Kirk Cousins who thrived under the tutelage of Sean McVay, performed erratically with Jay Gruden calling the plays last week.

So it’s important for the Redskins to win this game because 1-1 looks a lot better than 2-0.  And it’s also important for Jay Gruden that Kirk Cousins and his offense play well.  Jay Gruden says none of that matters but it does, because perception is reality.

Next: NFL Power Rankings – Week 2: Are Patriots still Number 1?

The Los Angeles Rams went 4-12 last season and the Redskins went 8-7-1.  If the Rams beat the Redskins and go to 2-0 with McVay while the Redskins drop to 0-2 without him, then one has to question whether Jay Gruden is the right man for the job in Washington.

Home/NFL News