SB Nation User Blog: Provenplays

Skins Better Do It Now!

Provenplays — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:04:17 -0000

The Redskins find themselves, 8PM Sunday night, in a huge make or break game. This game resembles the feeling of all the must wins the end of the past 2 seasons having to win out to make the playoffs. Even though the Redskins are 6-3 and could afford a loss, there is so much fan and media expectations for this team that has accomplished so much this season.

In the recent past, fans, coaches and management would be ecstatic about 6-3 record into a bye with Dallas on deck at home. However, this year the Redskins, have shown that they can step up and play with the best of them. They have proven to themselves, the fans and the media that they finally may be breaking a 20 year hang-over and back to a more consistent elite NFL team.

Through the first 5 games of the season, obviously including the Giants home opener, the Skins offense produced 21.8 Pts/G while the defense allowed 19.6. Certainly ranked in top of the NFL. Since then, starting with the miserable Rams loss, the Skins are scoring 15.5 Pts/G and playing better defense allowing 17.5 Pts/G.

The big discrepency with these stats is the schedule. The past 4 games have been against, Rams, Browns, Detroit and Steelers. Clearly we are doing the right things on the defensive side of the ball. Fortunately, we are dead solid and the acquisition of Hall will prove to tighen up nuts and bolts in the secondary. Offensively it makes no sense, how can the Skins drop nearly a touchdown in scoring while playing teams that have been getting torched. Plus we had a punt return against Detroit so in reality the offense itself is truly producing less. Have NFL teams caught up with Skins tactics, is it injuries, is Zorn putting the reigns back on Campbell, is the O-line crumbling?

Unfortunately, I think it is all of the above and it needs to be fixed now. Sunday Night, without Portis, will be a great example of the heart, desire, coaching and strength of this team. People can say all they want about how the Cowboys are on a downhill spiral but they can easily blowout any team in the NFL on any day. This game will define the moral of the team. Players, fans and coaches have had high expectations for this team and this game will set the precedent throughout the NFL and media outlets.

If Skins win:

The Redskins know how to overcome adversity and injuries. Coaching staff knows how to prepare and game plan. The Skins will be 3-1 in the toughest division in football. Moral will be lifted significantly given the tough road the past 4 weeks. Skins are real playoff contenders, watch-out!

If Skins lose:

No one will believe that the Skins are for real anymore, even with a 6-4 record. The past 5 weeks, they would prove that the league has caught up, that the Skins are NOT a new face in the NFL. The road to the playoffs gets that much tougher given the NFC South tight race. Still have to play, Eagles, Giants and Baltimore with great defenses. Team moral will be a season low. Not good.

Case in point, this is the biggest game of the season thus far, the Redskins BETTER show up Sunday night and stuff a hungry Dallas team in the face like they did week 4.

Go Skins!

Biggest takeaway: O-Line

Provenplays — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:45:01 -0000

There were many facets of the Steelers game that I could dissect in detail but what is most important to take from this game is the passing offense front 5.

The Skins defense is better than good even with Rodgers catching issues. I guess that is why he never became a receiver.

We need to look at a game like this and buckle down on what will help us win in the second half of season. If you ask me it is our protecting JC. When we run we do it well, even last night was not too shaby considering we had to focus on passing to catchup, Portis could have easily run for 75+.

When we face Giants, Dallas and Eagles we CANNOT have our offensive line perform like they did last night. It is unacceptable and will never allow us to win games.

I respect the heck out of Pitts defense, but lets get real with Santana 100% and more time for JC, I am confident we could have moved the ball much better through the air.

If you asked me before the season that the Skins would be 6-3 with 2 road NFC East wins at our BYE I and would say no way.

Lets take what we have been delt and focus on how we move forward with the passing game.

Go Skins!

Status of the NFC East

Provenplays — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:03:04 -0000

At the beginning of the year every major sports media outlet had the NFC East pegged as the toughest division in football. Through 8 weeks of the NFL season we have standings and stats as follows:

1. New York Giants (6-1; Div 1-0)

2. Washington Redskins (6-2; Div 2-1)

3. Dallas Cowboys (5-3; Div 1-1)

4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-3; Div 0-2)

Top 10: Yards per Game (Offense): ALL

Top 10: Yards per Game (Defense): ALL

Top 10: Rushing per Game (Offense): 3 of 4

Top 10: Passing Yards (Offense): 3 of 4

While I think there are some shake ups in the division because of the obvious injuries to Romo, Felix Jones, Pacman’s suspension, Plaxico drama, Brian Westbrook and Kevin Curtis (who is now playing), the NCF East has a real shot to have 3 teams in the playoffs. Obviously the divisional play will balance some of the records and bang up the teams a bit, but these teams are so very talented and with the proper coaching will be the most exciting teams to watch down the stretch.

The rest of the NFL you just have no idea what team you are going to see week in and week out, the NFL East has the defense and offense that they can rely on depending the flow of the game.

It should be an interesting road to the playoffs for sure.