They didn't allow 59 points... and weren't down five touchdowns one play into the second quarter. Still, the Redskins 31-7 loss at the New York Giants felt just as discouraging for those in the nation. Outclassed again by a better constructed team. Undone by mistakes on both sides of the ball. A touch of controversy on who plays and who sits. Par for the course in a season not worth remembering-- but one the faithful will have trouble forgetting.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb threw for 296 yards and a touchdown... but tossed a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble. And it could have been worse-- he had two other fumbles; he was able to cover up one while the other was recovered by Stephon Heyer. But the coaching staff stayed with him to the bitter end; on the final play, #5 tossed an INT.
RIP Dandy Don-- the NFL lost a good one over the weekend; former Dallas quarterback and ABC analyst Don Meredith passed away at the age of 72. As a player he took a beating trying to guide an expansion team to credibility... and took a beating from the press and fans when they came up short. Before Dallas became "America's Team", they were known as "Next Year's Team"... and Meredith guided the Cowboys to consecutive heartbreaking losses to Green Bay in the NFL Championship Game. Were it not for a fourth down pass intercepted in 1966 and a Bart Starr sneak in 1967, we'd be toasting Meredith as the QB of the 60's instead of Joe Namath. During the Ice Bowl Game his jaw muscles had actually frozen-- he had to use his move his mouth in the huddle to call the play. Word is he was tormented by both of those losses and they haunted him throughout the remainder of his career. But he's mostly remembered for his time on "Monday Night Football"-- where he won over fans by puncturing holes in the intellectual arrogance that was Howard Cosell. The chemistry between the two in the booth turned just another game into a phenomenon... and whether Dandy Don was saying he was "really Mile High" in Denver-- or commenting on Cleveland wide receiver Fair Hooker's unlikely name... he charmed many a viewer. A must read for anyone who grew up watching MNF-- "MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM"- it was made into a TNT or USA movie about ten years ago, but a big chunk of the good stuff remains in the book. Like the quarterback who retired when he still had years to play... and the announcer who signed off when he still had quite a bit to say- Mr. Meredith left everyone smiling and wanting more.
Turnovers told the tale-- in addition to McNabb's three miscues the Skins lost three fumbles. Five of the team's nine second half possessions ended with a turnover-- including the last three times they had the ball that day. It's tough to rally when you're coughing up the pigskin on a regular basis.
Run over and Out-- the Skins allowed 197 yards rushing... 139 in the first half and 57 of those on the game opening 58 yard drive by the Giants. Let's just say run defense will be a focus this week.
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's win keeps the Eagles in first thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker; the Eagles would be seeded third in the NFC while the Giants would be 6th if the season ended today (love that phrase-- obviously the season still has four weeks remaining)... thanks to a better conference record than Green Bay. The Redskins are currently in 11th place in the NFC (losing the conference record tiebreaker to Seattle)... while Dallas is in 12th after three wins in four weeks. What's a shame for the Skins is before their loss at Detroit, they were 4-3 but 4-1 in the NFC... that early season advantage is gone (4-5) from a tiebreaker standpoint. Now a loss to Tampa Bay or wins by the Giants and Philadelphia eliminate them from postseason contention.
Why stats are meaningless minus context-- the Skins were only outgained by 20 yards on the day... averaged 4.6 yards a carry and held the Giants to 2 of 10 on third down. Proving once again that figures do not lie, but liars may figure.
What a Wild Weekend-- from Thursday night's Philadelphia-Houston slugfest to a Cowboys near-collapse against the Colts to Sunday and Monday Night divisional duels (Pittsburgh-Baltimore and New England-New York Jets)... the NFL proved once again it deals very well in the commodity of drama. Game I wish I could have seen: Atlanta rallying past Tampa Bay to cement its status as NFC favorite.
What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man was de-activated before the game. Afterwards coach Mike Shanahan stated the defensive lineman missed a practice due to illness Friday and didn't practice well on Thursday; rumors now swirl around Ashburn regarding #92's future status wearing burgundy and gold.
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