John Clayton on the Redskins' Playoff Chances

To put the ^^^ in more sensable terms, there were situations in both our wins (think Dallas I) and losses (think Pittsburgh) where easy points were just left on the table by Zorn's coaching decisions in order to increase the chances that we win the game. In the second half against Pittburgh, we went for the end zone twice from the red zone trying to chase the points, passing up two field goal oppertunities that the offense had earned. Against Dallas, we gave up on a chance to punch in a TD up by 8 so that we could be certain to make it a two possession game. However, we cost ourselves 4 points by doing so, but we put Dallas in a situation where grabbing an onside kick was a necessity to have enough chances to win the game.

That's ten points in just 1/8 of the season that the game situation cost us, and certainly, not the only examples.

Second guessing whether we should have kicked a field or go for a TD is a bit too far but certainly the fact that we had great field positions last year from turnovers and good KRs but couldn't score in the red zone is an area we have been trying to improve without any noticeable change. The 21 ppg target rests largely on JC whether he takes more chances but also on our receivers running better routes than last year (routes that were well short of the 1st on 3rd downs).

Getting more defensive turnovers will immediately help our offense. More chances to strike.
+1
to piggy back from your post

More scoring doesn't have to come directly from the offense alone.
Lets assume that the offense/passing game doesn't improve *(i think it will) having better field position would lead to shorter field which would lead to more points
-more production from the Punting/Punt Return Units could help
-Swishy could make some more kicks

To put the ^^^ in more sensable terms, there were situations in both our wins (think Dallas I) and losses (think Pittsburgh) where easy points were just left on the table by Zorn's coaching decisions in order to increase the chances that we win the game. In the second half against Pittburgh, we went for the end zone twice from the red zone trying to chase the points, passing up two field goal oppertunities that the offense had earned. Against Dallas, we gave up on a chance to punch in a TD up by 8 so that we could be certain to make it a two possession game. However, we cost ourselves 4 points by doing so, but we put Dallas in a situation where grabbing an onside kick was a necessity to have enough chances to win the game.

That's ten points in just 1/8 of the season that the game situation cost us, and certainly, not the only examples.

Good point GTripp. I would be very, very surprised if we don't score more points this year than last.

I like Clayton's take on our chances. What I really love about it though, was that it was not over the top. Every year there is a team that is overhyped at nausea call me superstitious, but it usually means that team does not do as well. Last season it was the freakin Cowboys. Who in the world saw the Cardinals coming? The year before it was the Saints... no one was talking about he Giants. This year it is the Texans, and maybe the Falcons. Keep talking everyone... but we all know defense wins championships. We had a top ten defense last year and have abandoned the "ain't broke don't fix it" slogan and turned our Porsche into a Lamborghini... We need to continue to fly under the radar and catch them all by surprise!

I don't want to re-hash some of the same things that have been said but I will point out a few overlooked factors:

1. Defensive TD-We haven't scored on defense since October 2007, ironically on a Carlos Rogers INT return, and have been one of the worst teams in that regard over the past decade. While he will give up the occasional big play, D. Hall has more potential to turn the field over than anyone we've had since Champ. While we can't count on a TD per game, if we get one per quarter of the season that will win us a game or two.

2. The addition of Hunter Smith. His value in the field position game will have a positive impact on the defense which should again, improve the offense by proxy. His biggest impact however may be in the holding position. While I am not a big Suisham fan, he was undone a little last year with Brooks and Plackemier, who were both largely clueless as holders. I've never liked a punter as a holder but at least he's done it and done it with some accomplished kickers (Vanderjagt, Vinatieri) so hopefully Suisham's percentage will improve.

3. We left a ton of points on the field last year. We were one of the worst in the red zone and just by quick recollection we missed out on at least 6 TD (2 Rabach penalties on the same drive nullifying TD passes, Thomas TD called back vs. Arizona, Sellers stuffed, then fumbles next play vs. Cincy, Sellers dropped TD pass vs. Seattle) that could have increased our PPG. We have to execute better but I'd expect increased comfort and experience in the system will allow our guys to do more playing rather than thinking and playing.

Our cadre of WR's need to be able to play far beyond the level they played at last year. Everything else on offense will follow.

The D will be fine and a few defensive TD's would work wonders.

1. Defensive TD-We haven't scored on defense since October 2007, ironically on a Carlos Rogers INT return, and have been one of the worst teams in that regard over the past decade. While he will give up the occasional big play, D. Hall has more potential to turn the field over than anyone we've had since Champ. While we can't count on a TD per game, if we get one per quarter of the season that will win us a game or two.



This a million times, we have such a good defense but just a few def touchdowns would help so much.

This a million times, we have such a good defense but just a few def touchdowns would help so much.

Defensive TD's come some by skill (catch the ball, Carlos!) but some by luck.

The law of averages at some point will come into play and we'll be getting more defensive TD's.

Getting more defensive turnovers will immediately help our offense. More chances to strike.

thats it right there.:goodjob: