Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Redskins Rehash-- plenty of helpings of Turkey...

You didn't think the Skins would actually hold on and win Sunday... did you? In the history of their rivalry with Dallas they hadn't shut out the Cowboys even once. George Allen's Over the Hill Gang couldn't do it... Gibbs and the Hogs never accomplished that feat... what made one think the Maroon and Black could turn the trick? Instead of being 4-6 and on the fringe of the playoff mix the Skins are in the phantom zone-- not technically out of contention but needing quite a few miracles to make the postseason.

Belated checkdowns of the loss in Irving...

Points well taken-- I guess it's only fitting after putting 27 (27!) on the board against Denver the offense would revert to the form that is 25th in yards gained and 29th in points. Sunday they actually outgained the Cowboys-- and converted 7 of 15 of their third downs... yet each drive bogged down before they even reached the redzone (just one drive got inside the Dallas 20-yard line).

Missed it by that much...twice-- the Skins had two opportunities to make the game a two-touchdown affair...but Shaun Suisham (after making his first 14 attempts of the season) missed a 39-yarder just before halftime and a 50-yarder immediately preceding the Cowboys' gamewinning drive.

Defense: everything but the girl-- the Redskins D performed with Duckie-like ability in trying to lock down a shutout... shining for three and a half quarters before coughing up a 9 play 60 yard touchdown drive... Tony Romo up to that point?: 9-20 for 103 yards and an interception...on the drive?: 6-7 for 55 yards and a score... Romo is Blaine (winning despite himself) while the Skins D plays the role of Philip F. Dale-- dominating the landscape yet somehow nowhere near Andie in the end.

Solid as a Rock-- with Ladell Betts leaving after injuring knee ligaments, Rock Cartwright rushed for 67 yards while catching 7 passes for 73 more yards... it's too bad injuries are the primary reason Cartwright's seeing any action-- because if used correctly he could be a good change of pace back (ala Joe Washington) providing lightning to Portis's thunder.

Tracking the Triumvirate-- the firm of Kelly, Davis & Thomas responded with another strong outing-- combining for 6 catches and 93 yards (over 15 yards per catch? are you serious?!?)... season projections now jump to 72 grabs for 798 yards (with Davis projected to reach 37)... and this entry's on the verge of being titled "Give it a rest, Dave".

What's a Haynesworth-- the 100 million dollar man did not play against the Cowboys-- and his ankle sprain keeps him a question mark for Philadelphia.

London Calling-- if anyone on this defense merits a nine-figure contract, it's the middle linebacker... Mr. Fletcher notched 8 tackles and 5 assists while intercepting a pass and forcing a fumble against the Cowboys.

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