Redskins Newsletter

Volume 12 #6

October 22, 2007

Despite what appeared to be their best effort, the Redskins did not find a new way to blow a 14-point lead. The Washington Post headline read: The Great Escape - Redskins Blow Big Lead, but Win in the End. With a 21-6 third-quarter lead quickly vanishing, there were flashbacks to the New York Giants and Green Bay losses. In the final 30 seconds, the Arizona Cardinals scored a touchdown, failed on a 2-point conversion, recovered an onside kick and barely missed a 55-yard field goal for the win.

The Redskins beat the Cardinals 21-19. The Redskins had 160 total yards to Cardinals 364. The Cardinals had 19 first downs to the Redskins 10. This not a way to win a game. However, the Redskins were ahead in turnovers and less penalties. The Cardinals penalties were at critical points in the game and that was a big contributor to their loss. The Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt acknowledged: “We made to many mistakes.”

"Any team can come back and beat you at the end of the game if you give them the amount of chances we gave those guys," Cornerback Fred Smoot said. "Put it like this: We're lucky to get out of here with a victory." As ugly as the win was, Coach Gibbs was happy. "I enjoy every single win, I don't really care how it comes or how we get it. I am thrilled with this one." he commented after the game.

There is an imbalance between the Redskins offense and defense this year. The defense essentially created almost every scoring opportunity against the Cardinals. The defense set up the first touchdown with a interception return and then boosting the Redskins lead to 14-0 on defensive linebacker London Fletcher's 27-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Redskins actually amassed more yards on their two interception returns than they did running the football. Redskins total rushing yards was 73 to 75 yards on interceptions.

The offense botched numerous opportunities, for example, Rock Cartwright's 80-yard kick return resulted in a missed field goal, the Redskins with three three-and-outs in the fourth quarter, gaining 17 total yards and with one exception none of the Redskins second-half drives lasted more than four plays. In defense of the offensive line they are suffering with injuries from three starting linemen: center Casey Rabach, guard Randy Thomas and tackle Jon Jansen.

Jason Campbell threw for just 95 yards passing and Clinton Portis ran for 43 yards on 18 attempts. Washington's running game averaged only 2.6 yards per carry; the Redskins have averaged 3.3 yards per carry the past five games. After Portis' second touchdown, 20:47 remained; the Cardinals held the ball for 15:42 and had 191 net yards in the fourth quarter.

"We've got to learn to keep going after we get ahead," defensive end Phillip Daniels said. "I'm happy for the win, but I'm not happy with the way we finished." Portis agreed saying: "Our defense is always going to give us a chance. But as an offense we have to go out and put up points." "We hurt ourselves today. We can't keep doing that," said middle linebacker London Fletcher. "We need to take a hard look at ourselves. The Patriots are not going to beat themselves. Any weakness we've shown they will try to take advantage of. It will take tunnel vision and focus. It will take a valiant effort because right now they are playing exceptional football."

Fletcher is right because in the next five weeks the Redskins will play four on the road: at New England (7-0), at the New York Jets (1-6), at home against Philadelphia (2-4) (can we beat them twice), at Dallas (6-1), and at Tampa Bay (4-3). If any team can be considered an easy team to beat, it has to be Buffalo at home in December. So Coach Gibbs’ words ring true: "We have to play better."

It is still a good win considering that the offensive line is in shreds and the defense is now No. 1 in the NFC in fewest points allowed per game. On the team Portis commented: "If we ever get 11 guys healthy together on offense and defense, we're going to cause somebody trouble. But, for now, we'll battle."