The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

Three home games, Detroit at Ford Field, and then a bye. Seeing as though we should be favorites to win these games (hey, if we're not its cool too, we seem to be doing well as undergdogs) what are our keys to the next few weeks and what should our strategy be. Zorn thinks that we've only now begun to run plays in the fashion that he wants. Honestly, that reverse and throw by Randle El this week shows me that Zorn can get even further into that wacky playbook of his and dial up some winners. That said I think we need to do the following over the next four weeks:

1) Keep running Portis
2) Let JC throw when he sees coverage he likes, no matter what
3) Let Devin Thomas and Kelly learn on the fly
4) Rest Taylor, Springs, and Washington. We're on a roll and we'll
need them down the line
5) Did I forget that Portis needs the ball!!
6) Open a speedy can of whoopass in Detroit. That game could give
us playoff swagger

What do yall think?????

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

I think we need to treat each of them as if we're playing Dallas on a road. These next three games are a tremendous opportunity for us (the Giants and Cowboys don't have super difficult stretches either) and we shouldn't blow it with a silly loss here or there.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

I think we take every opponent very seriously, never look past the current week, and take it one game at a time. The last thing I want to see are dozens of members of this site talking about how 8-1 or 7-2 is an afterthought.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

This is what we need to do for sure:

Rest Taylor, Springs, and Washington till they are ready. We're on a roll and we'll need them when we play Steelers, Cowboys, Seattle, Giants, etc. Cleveland will be no cake walk regardless of their record.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=SmootSmack;486438]I think we need to treat each of them as if we're playing Dallas on a road. These next three games are a tremendous opportunity for us (the Giants and Cowboys don't have super difficult stretches either) and we shouldn't blow it with a silly loss here or there.[/quote]

I agree with that. We need to get better every week. This is not the finished product. If we keep improving, KEEP WINNING, and have some guys healthy by the end of the year, the skys the limit. We don't need to take a break from getting better. I think this offense, as Zorn intends it to be, still has a ways to go.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

What we need to do is keep medium. Improvement with this team seems inevitable. Zorn is doing such a good job of coaching up this team to play close to their potential. If we go into every game with the same mindset and steady improvement, I don't see why 7-2 is out of the picture

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

This stretch of games has got to be a Redskin's dream.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

this redskins team is playing very hard. the o line is knocking them in the mouth. and the defense is really getting after the ball. playing hard goes a long way in this league. and that all goes back to coach Zorn, who has done a wonderful job so far.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

One game at a time, if we can rest players that would be nice.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

I see no reason why the Skins cant win 3/4 and with some luck make it a 4-0 run.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

It's impossible in the modern game for any team to go through the season without getting upset. Basically, it's going to happen to us at least once. I don't see us going 12-4 with the only 4 losses in the NFC East.

With that said, these could easily be three of the four worst teams in football we see over the next three weeks. Losing one of these games would go so far beyond an upset, probably into the we were overlooking them territory, and I'm not sure how often that really happens.

We're 4-1, but with a point differential of only +11. Every other team in our division, including the Eagles, has a far better point differential. What we need to do these next three games is to have at least two blowout victories to prove that along with beating good teams, we can also blow out bad teams.

This is the thing the team had trouble with in Gibbs 2.0. And that one was probably on the players.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

I think we should head into the bye at 8-1, but given the "Any Given Sunday" nature of the NFL, I would not be unhappy with 7-2.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=irish;486508]I see no reason why the Skins cant win 3/4 and with some luck make it a 4-0 run.[/quote]

Detroit and St. Louis are almost comically bad. Detroit has a real shot at going 0-16. St. Louis pretty close although they have a new coach coming in. These two games should in no way even be close. Cleveland is a little bit better but not much. I think they should start Brady Quinn at some point but even with him, the Redskins should win at home no problem.

The Redskins should win all three games handily, if they don't it would be a major disappointment. The only thing that would stop us probably is a letdown, but Zorn seems intelligent enough to not let that happen. Pittsburgh is a quality opponent but they certainly aren't unbeatable, especially at Fedex.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

The only way I see any trouble in the next few games is:

1) If St. Louis' offense starts clicking like it should be out of the break.

2) If Cleveland goes to Quinn, and their offense starts clicking.

Either/Both of these things could happen to give us a game on our home turf, but hopefully we could overcome and win anyway.

Shy of either of those things happening, we really need to blow these guys out.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

This is a very important part of our schedule. Lots of promising seasons have been derailed in the "soft" portion of the schedule because said team did not put away the weaker teams early.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

I'm still in shock we made it through the toughest stretch of the schedule at 4-1. Now comes some relief but the team can't let up. There's simply no reason (barring injuries) we shouldn't be sitting at 7-1 heading into the Pittsburgh game.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

When we play our home games we need our fans to be LOUD!!!!!

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=NYCskinfan82;486524]When we play our home games we need our fans to be LOUD!!!!![/quote]

I think this is the main key right here!!!! I have a few friends in the league, they all talk about FedEx and Seattle being loud as hell! All of you lucky enough to have tix HAIL THOSE SKINS FOR 4 QUARTERS!!!

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

I'd love to see a blowout or two along the way. These come from behind victories are exciting, but I'd love to see some 60 minutes of domination.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

by the time the steeler game comes along,they should have most of their injured players back.i'm worried about that game,and the ram game.they have a new coach,and have had 2 weeks to plan for us.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=johnerotten;486539]by the time the steeler game comes along,they should have most of their injured players back.i'm worried about that game,and the ram game.they have a new coach,and have had 2 weeks to plan for us.[/quote]

After beating the Cowboys and Eagles on their turf we should be able to handle the Steelers. They are tough but we match up well with them.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

The fans will be amped up at FedEx this year and the Skins will win all their home games. However, I think the Cle game will be tougher than the Steeler's game. They need to stay focused and don't take any team lightly.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

STL better be ready b/c if I was a Redskin player in the locker room and heard McNabb what he said I'm ready to punish the next team we play. Thanks McNabb bulletin board material!!!

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

And to think, just a few weeks ago we felt like this:

[IMG]http://www.somewhenstudio.com/images/artwork/The%20Sky%20Is%20Falling:Desolated%20Land.jpg[/IMG]

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

ill tell you what is one of the keys. not turning the ball over. i cant believe the skins have played 5 games, without an offensive turnover. that is simply outstanding work

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

We just need to stay within ourselves. History teaches you when a favorite gets upset its usually turnovers that cause their demise. In any of those wins a Redskins TO could have swayed the outcome.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=cochise;486772]We just need to stay within ourselves. History teaches you when a favorite gets upset its usually turnovers that cause their demise. In any of those wins a Redskins TO could have swayed the outcome.[/quote]

St. Louis is an awful, awful team. Been outscored on average in their four games like 36-10 per game. Barring major and almost miraculous changes by the new coach, the only way the Redskins lose this game, or its even within two touchdowns, is if we turn the ball over multiple times in our own end. I can't see this team having that kind of mental breakdown, even after two huge division wins.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

I like whoever said that they should treat the next games as if they're playing Dallas/Philly on the road. We don't want any upsets here, and we should not take these teams lightly, especially the ones desperate for a win.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=johnerotten;486539]by the time the steeler game comes along,they should have most of their injured players back.i'm worried about that game,and the ram game.they have a new coach,and have had 2 weeks to plan for us.[/quote]

There new coach is their defensive coordinator whose defense gives up an average of 34.8 points per game. Im not saying that the rams cant beat us but i'm not sold on Jim Haslett being their savior.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

One game at a time and we CANNOT take any of these teams, esp the Rams, Browns and Lions for granted. These teams scare me more than the Cowboys and Eagles.
They got nothing to lose so they are going to play balls out!

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

ANyone have a link to what McNabb said after the game?

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=SkinFan4Life;486853]ANyone have a link to what McNabb said after the game?[/quote]

[url=http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-4-31/Redskins-take-two-for-the-road.html]ESPN - Redskins take two for the road - NFC East[/url]

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

Thanks Sfred

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=SkinFan4Life;486853]ANyone have a link to what McNabb said after the game?[/quote]

[URL="http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20081006_Eagles_-_Eagles_seem_delusional_in_loss_to_Redskins.html"]Eagles seem delusional in loss to Redskins | Philadelphia Daily News | 10/06/2008[/URL]

On to the thread. These next four if we just take one at a time, don't look any further than one game. Which the team has been GREAT at, I like our chances in all four!

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

[quote=skinsfan_nn;486898][URL="http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20081006_Eagles_-_Eagles_seem_delusional_in_loss_to_Redskins.html"]Eagles seem delusional in loss to Redskins | Philadelphia Daily News | 10/06/2008[/URL]

On to the thread. These next four if we just take one at a time, don't look any further than one game. Which the team has been GREAT at, I like our chances in all four![/quote]

About time we get some easier competition. The other two teams being talked about as "top 3" are Tennessee and the Giants. The following is a dupe post I made in the Chris Carter thread, but it's probably more relevant here:

Tennessee's opponents have a combined record of 5-17, which is close to, if not dead last as far as strength of schedule. Two of their wins are over winless teams (Cincy and Houston). 3 of their wins are at home.

Our opponents have a combined record of 15-8, good for toughest in the league. We're 2-1 on the road, and have played 1 less home game thus far.

Yes, Tennessee's defense is fantastic, and their running game is very good, but they struggle to put up points big time. I don't think they are better than us, but they currently have a better record, so the argument can be made I guess.

Frankly I don't like all the press we're getting. I much prefer being an underdog and nobody thinking we're any good. I hate hype. Chris Carter is just one of thousands of talking heads. Good for him for having an opinion.

On a side note, the other team being talked about as top three in the league, the Giants, have played opponents with a combined record 5-14. Other than the Skins, their opponents are 1-13. Pathetic.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

All modesty and coach speak aside, we can all agree that ON PAPER we should win the next 3 games and emerge at the midpoint 7-1.

-More points from the passing game.. Campbell is in a nice groove right now, taking what the defense gives him and not making mistakes. I'd like to see him take a few more shots down the field to Thomas and Randle-El as well as Moss. Showing, and hopefully connecting, on some of those shots will open up more running lanes and the underneath for Cooley and could make our offense nearly unstoppable.

-Continued improvement from Thomas, Brooks and Horton. These are some games that can really give our younger players more confidence heading into the 2nd half of the season. Thomas is closing to earning a permanent nickname ("P.I." for pass interference!) but he has shown a couple flashes of his ability. Brooks is in the same boat, showing flashes but needs consistency and we've got the makings of a star in Horton once he eliminates the mental errors that the coaches keep noting. Having these 3 as solid contributors down the stretch can make a big difference for us.

-Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush=more turnovers! We are putting a lot of pressure on our secondary right now by not getting to the QB. Taylor & Washington should wait until they are 100% before coming back so they are at full strength for the balance of the schedule. I'd like to see more of Chris Wilson and Rob Jackson in the rotation and if we are up in these next few games, let's dial up some blitzes to get more pressure on the QB and force some mistakes.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

You've about summed it up for me Paintrain. Hopefully we'll play well through this stretch and tune some things up for the second half of the season. Like Blache says " It's not how you start, it's how you finish." We need to continue our intensity and continue to grow and expand our offense. The young guys should cut down their mental errors and be more consistent with more playing time. A strong pass rush would make this "D" even better. We're getting pressure, which certainly helps, but our DB's are playing excellent right now. A consistent pass rush with some sacks could send this "D" to a whole 'nother level. And would'nt that be nice. With what the "D" has done to 5 of the 6 top offenses in the league, these next few games could be really fun to watch if the intensity stays at a high level.

Re: The Next Four:StL, Cle, Det, and Pit
 

They should be fine for this stretch. Zorn is the only coach I've seen who is talking about botched plays in the interview right after a win. This tells me the players are not thinking game-to-game, they're thinking play-to-play. So every PLAY needs to be well done. This maintains a player's concentration much better than focusing on a complete game.

Since they know that they'll get chewed out if they screw up, even if they get an ugly win, they're going to make sure they're doing what they should be doing.

So that just leaves it to the coaches to call a good game, which seems quite likely.

I just hope on this stretch they can get more practice on how to finish drives in the endzone.