“As a rookie, everybody wants to be perfect,” Sudfeld said. “I want to throw every perfect pass. I want every ball to be the right read, the right decision. What is cool is it’s preseason, and I’m still young. I’m still learning, so I’m making mistakes and the big problem is if I repeat mistakes. I made a few mistakes, and I was like, ‘Man, I shouldn’t have done that.’ But now I know how it feels. ‘Okay, I can’t do that anymore. These guys are too fast. That throw won’t work.’ ”

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Sudfeld regretted two plays in third-down situations when he tried to force a pass down the field instead of throwing to his check down. He was nearly intercepted by cornerback Darryl Morris on third and 12 when he threw into triple coverage. The pass was intended for wide receiver Valdez Showers, although Sudfeld had tight end Logan Paulsen open in the flat on his first pass attempt following six run plays.

“I was kind of itching to throw a ball and didn’t want to check it down, which is so juvenile,” Sudfeld said. “I needed to check it down and throw it to who was open. I was trying to fit in a nice throw.”

Sudfeld opted not to throw at Paulsen once again on third and 20, instead forcing a pass to Dez Stewart that was uncatchable thanks to double coverage. Despite his mistakes, Sudfeld was composed during the game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. He led the Redskins on an 11-play, 84-yard drive that ended with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Kendal Thompson with 29 seconds left, giving the Redskins a 22-18 lead.