Tough loss. That's the two words I would use to describe last Sunday. There is a lot of debate about whether this was a good loss or a bad one, and I'll just say....both. Giving up a second half 17 point lead is never good, but losing to an AFC team makes it better than if it was to an NFC team, or even worse, an NFC East team.
Game breakdown:
That was fun! Seeing an air game that we haven't seen since Brad Johnson made it fun for a few hours. The issue with that was that it stopped after the first drive of the first quarter. Losing Trent Williams was very scary! The good news is that there is no structural damage, and hopefully he won't be out long. The running game is still struggling, and the release of Larry Johnson only proved that even more.
The defense still has issues closing, and that was terribly evident. This has been an issue for years, and it seems like it doesn't matter who the defensive coordinator is, they can't seem to get a scheme to close the game. Getting 5 sacks was a huge plus, and the fact is, Houston is really good! They have the best receiver in the game, and you wouldn't expect the defense to shut them down the entire game.
Play of the game:
The play of the game goes to Houston, and it's on special teams, and there's two. The first is obviously the blocked field goal that would have in all likelihood sealed the game for the Redskins. There was a three play stretch that led to this. First, Clinton Portis runs left, breaks a tackle, and seems to be going into the end zone when he slips going up field. He is one yard short of the first down, and the next play is pushed back 5 yards because of a false start. The next play is an incomplete pass, and the fourth down play is the blocked field goal. This is what Redskins fans have come to expect...failure to close.
The second play of the game was in overtime, and was the timeout called just before Gano attempts the 52 yard field goal, only for him to miss the next attempt. How many times does that actually work?? Well, again, if you're a Redskins fan, you would probably say "every time".
(Honorable mention) - the touchdown pass from to Johnson on 4th and 10. Don't even want to talk about it...
Game balls:
Offense - D. McNabb for that ridiculous showing! He spread the ball all around, and was extremely accurate! Also, a special game ball to C. Portis for one hell of a block down field that sprung Fred Davis on his 62 yard reception down to the 1 yard line.
Defense - L. Landry once again for just flying all over the field! The man is truly playing at his highest level of his career to date.
Special Teams - nobody. You have to make that field goal, and make sure it doesn't get blocked.
Looking ahead:
Don't get caught looking ahead! The Iggles are next week, and everyone is already talking about McNabb's return to the Link. The Rams, in all their dismay, are still NFL players. Don't sleep on them! I still think that our boys will smash the Rams, and make a statement that we can put away the bad teams.
Prediction:
Redskins - 27 Rams - 10
As always, please remember to check out http://www.inpapasbasement.com/ for more Redskin blogging.
Hail to the Redskins!
Horrible loss.
ReplyDeleteAs noted above, the defense collapsed when it mattered for the second straight week, giving up a big lead in the 4th quarter. This is not change.
Destroying a bad team would be change. That's one thing McNabb's been really great at, historically, as I recall. He seems to light it up against weak teams. Skins are favored on the road. I picked 'em. Hopefully that will pay off this week.
Running game is lame, but they should run more. Skins could have effectively iced the Dallas game if they had run into the pile three times instead of the three incompletions at the end of the game.
On that note, the Texans deserved to lose this game, based on their 3rd and 4. They passed and failed, then punted, not willing to attempt a 52 yard field goal (itself a statistically bad move, I think). If they're not going to try the FG from that distance anyway, why not run the damn ball? The Skins' D was tired and getting run on pretty good at that point. Plus no one was expecting a run. Plus if you don't get the first down, you're likely close enough to go for the first and the very likely win. This happens way, way too often in the NFL. I'm still baffled as to why I'm not calling the plays for an NFL team.
And one more thing, did this game do anything to persuade you that the field goal in football should be eliminated? (Note: I'm not convinced that a drop kick should go--they're just too cool, if never attempted.)
It didn't do anything to persuade me that the field goal needs to go away, but perhaps that time out rule does. Not like it ever really works anyway, but the thing is pretty stupid.
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