ASHBURN, Va. -- They can point to progress on some throws and even drives, seeing a passing game that can still produce. That’s the good news for the Washington Redskins. The reality, though, is they can point to other throws and drives that reveal the inconsistency. And that’s not good news.

For the 5-3 Redskins to stay in first place in the NFC East, they need more consistency from quarterback Alex Smith and the passing game. Especially with an offensive line that will be without least three starters Sunday at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And they'll have to score, because the defense will be up against more high-powered offenses -- the Bucs and the Houston Texans -- in the next two games.

But Smith said this doesn’t place more of a burden on him.

"If anything, there's more of an emphasis on just doing your job,” he said. “I have to be accountable. I have to hold up my end. There's certainly no making up for anything. You can get into trouble trying to do that. No, I mean I have to do my job better, a little better."

The Redskins moved into first place by relying on a strong running game with Adrian Peterson, stopping the run and good special teams. But through eight games, the Redskins rank 22nd in the NFL in passing yards per game, 23rd in yards per attempt, 29th in touchdown passes and 25th in offensive points scored per game.

They haven’t shown they can come back in games; they haven’t led in their three losses.

The Redskins not only traded for Smith in the offseason, they gave him a four-year extension that averages $23.5 million per year. They need him to deliver in times of need. Like now.

He’s helped by not turning the ball over, with only three interceptions and one fumble lost. He’s on pace for 18 touchdowns and six interceptions, which would match his output in 2014, his second season in Kansas City.

“He’s a very smart guy; there’s no doubt about it,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “But when you come to a different system, what usually comes natural to you is just calling the play. It might take that little extra second to register. You’re thinking about formation and calling a play and now, ‘OK, we’re going and then where am I going?’ He’s coming along in his progressions. But it’s still going to take a little time for him to feel 100 percent comfortable. I’m sure he’s feeling pretty comfortable, but probably not to where he was in his fifth year in Kansas City.”

In that fifth year, Smith was throwing to Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Albert Wilson and handing off to Kareem Hunt. It’s not as if Washington is devoid of talent, but the Redskins don’t have a game-breaker at receiver, and two players who could be dynamic -- running back Chris Thompson and receiver Jamison Crowder -- have missed a combined seven games. Thompson already has been ruled out for Sunday with a rib injury.

"[Smith is] getting closer probably and nobody is going to be perfect at that position, but he's learning, getting to know our guys,” Gruden said. “He's getting the ball out of his hands and scrambling when he has to scramble. He had a big scramble in the game last week, so I think he's getting to where we want him."

Smith made some pinpoint throws against the Falcons, connecting with receivers Josh Doctson and Maurice Harris for gains of 24 and 33 yards, respectively. There are plays the Redskins hit on every game; there are frustrations over missed opportunities as well, whether from wrong reads or inattention to detail with routes. Their passing has become a Rorschach test: Do you see progress or inconsistency?

“I’ve always seen it,” Gruden said of the growth. “I haven’t had to go out and throw the ball 60 times; last week was the closest thing we’ve had to do it, but [Smith] showed the ability. He can throw the ball, without a doubt. He has shown that before in his career.”

But that’s not what the Redskins want.

“The key to this team being successful is having balance,” Gruden said. “The best teams [Smith has] been on with San Francisco and Kansas City, they had really good balance. That’s his comfort zone. ... We’re better off with balance.”

The Redskins could use more play-action to buy the makeshift line more time to protect (as Atlanta did against the Redskins in Week 9), though it hasn’t been a successful tactic. Smith ranks 24th with 42 play-action passes -- and 29th in completion percentage on such plays (54.8). His passer rating of 92.2 on play-action ranks 22nd, according to ESPN Stats & Information data.

“Yeah, we’ll do more,” Gruden said of play-action. “We have to do more.”

But that’s also reliant on the tight ends blocking a defensive end consistently. If they can hold up, the Redskins can run more play-action. If not, Gruden said they can’t.

The Redskins say their passing attack can improve. They see signs; they need consistency.

“We have grown a ton in a good way,” Smith said. “But week to week, the highs and lows are so big.”