I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

After reading all the comments here blaming Suisham and/or Zorn and/or the playcalling and/or the football gods for yesterday's loss to the Cowboys, I think I watched a different game.

In the game I saw, the sputtering Redskins offense had a 6-0 lead in the game with about 5 or 6 minutes left to play. The reason the Redskins lost the game is stunningly similar to the reason the Redskins have lost several games in the last two years:

[INDENT]In the 4th quarter when the team [B]MUST HAVE [/B]a defensive stand (three-and-out or a turnover to get the ball back) what the team gets is a drive by the opposition resulting in a score.[/INDENT]

Yardage allowed stats are for losers. What matters is making the defensive stop when the team absolutely, positively has to have one. And the Skins' defense the last couple of years simply has NOT done that.

I do not keep notes on play-by-play as I watch the games, but in the final drive when the game was on the line, I believe the only negative play for the Cowboys was a false start penalty. I don't recall the Cowboys facing a 3rd down situation; if they did, it was certainly not 3rd-and-long. When it mattered, the defense came up small.

Granted, if either or both of the missed field goals is good, the Skins win. But the Redskins still had the game in hand or - to use a tennis term - on their racket with 5 or 6 minutes left in the game.

That was the game that came through on my cable system...

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

when the o can't score you can't expect much more from the d, yeah they gave up that drive and one in the begining of the game but for them to only allow 7 points the o has to show some balls and put some points on the board

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

The offense was pathetic yesterday - - and has been for much of the season. That does not let the defense off the hook - - again because they have done this before - - for allowing the decisive score to happen at/near for end of the fourth quarter.


If the defense is nearly as "elite" as folks want to make them out to be, they have to make the big stops when it matters and not just big hits in the second quarters of the games.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Its like what Troy Aikemen and Joe Buck said, Skins should be destroying them. But when your Offense is bottom 3 in the league this is what happens. You cant put this on the D, that is laughable. I agree with London Fletcher and Coach Gray, you must win the game if you only allow 7 points on the road regardless of who your playing. No excuses, are offense is horrible and everyone is accountable.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;629782]The offense was pathetic yesterday - - and has been for much of the season. That does not let the defense off the hook - - again because they have done this before - - for allowing the decisive score to happen at/near for end of the fourth quarter.


If the defense is nearly as "elite" as folks want to make them out to be, they have to make the big stops when it matters and not just big hits in the second quarters of the games.[/quote]

You really think the D lost this game? The D made all but one stop and allowed 7 points and that wins 99.9999999999999% of all games in the NFL. Any coach from pop w. to the NFL would take that all day long. SS and the O lost the game.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

On one hand I see where SC is comin from, I've said it a # of times over the past couple years that our D is not that good. We lost a lot of games last year when the D couldn't close the deal, though I know they were on the field a long time.

This year they have been inconsistent, but yesterday they played a hell of a game. Even though they gave up a lot of rush yrds. early on, they adjusted & shut dallas down. I think they were worn out at the end & romo took advantage. Even on the td play, the coverage was great & Carter nearly makes a sack. Chalk that up to the other team being better.

If you wanted a big play to win the game, look at the Fletcher interception. That was on 4th down & if the O could've at least got one more first down & gotten SS closer than 50, maybe it's a different story. (btw, I hated that 3rd & 2 call, they were blitzing up the gut all day)

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Did the defense allow a late score when we needed a stop...again? Yes.

But otherwise the defense pitched a shutout. It is difficult to criticize an NFL defense for not pitching a shutout.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

i missed this yesterday, if you can't tackle hester pull his pants off

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTypBZYYCGA]YouTube - Equipment Malfunction - Eagles pants Bears[/url]

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=Lotus;629823]Did the defense allow a late score when we needed a stop...again? Yes.

But otherwise the defense pitched a shutout. It is difficult to criticize an NFL defense for not pitching a shutout.[/quote]

When Suisham missed the last field goal, did ANYONE believe the d was going to hold. I didn't. Anyone who knows the Skins D knew they were going to give up a TD. In fact I will go a step further. I fully believe had the O scored a TD in the late 3rd, or 4th qtr, The next Cowboy drive would have been a TD. Our D is solid, but 2 things it cannot do:

1) pitch a shutout, against anyone, ever
2) score a defensive point.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

I feel sick because I hate the Cowboys. Sherm Lewis isn't working out, but neither was Zorn, and I was so enthusiastic over the Zorn hiring at first, especially after the 6-2 start last year. I give up the ship even faster than Snyder. And if Portis had played, the Redskins wouldn't have even scored the 6 points. I finally saw a Redskins running back make it beyond 1 yard past the line of scrimmage.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Yeah, sorry SC -- not buying this one. The D looked bad on that last drive, but allowing 7 isn't exactly what I'd call a bad performance. We've been running with the bend dont break mentality for a while here in DC -- it has mainly worked. The biggest issue I had on the D side was McIntosh dropping that pick and possibly pick 6.

I blame the offense completely for this, and most, losses. Typically our D keeps the opponent under an average NFL score. If we had an average offense we'd win a lot more than we lose.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;629768]After reading all the comments here blaming Suisham and/or Zorn and/or the playcalling and/or the football gods for yesterday's loss to the Cowboys, I think I watched a different game.

In the game I saw, the sputtering Redskins offense had a 6-0 lead in the game with about 5 or 6 minutes left to play. The reason the Redskins lost the game is stunningly similar to the reason the Redskins have lost several games in the last two years:[INDENT]In the 4th quarter when the team [B]MUST HAVE [/B]a defensive stand (three-and-out or a turnover to get the ball back) what the team gets is a drive by the opposition resulting in a score.[/INDENT]Yardage allowed stats are for losers. What matters is making the defensive stop when the team absolutely, positively has to have one. And the Skins' defense the last couple of years simply has NOT done that.

I do not keep notes on play-by-play as I watch the games, but in the final drive when the game was on the line, I believe the only negative play for the Cowboys was a false start penalty. I don't recall the Cowboys facing a 3rd down situation; if they did, it was certainly not 3rd-and-long. When it mattered, the defense came up small.

Granted, if either or both of the missed field goals is good, the Skins win. But the Redskins still had the game in hand or - to use a tennis term - on their racket with 5 or 6 minutes left in the game.

That was the game that came through on my cable system...[/quote]

I have to completely and utterly disagree with you. I cannot believe anyone can even REMOTELY have this kind of opinion. The only reason the defense is in a position to make a stop is because the defense is the only good thing on this team.

I tell you that a team is going to only score 6 points this weekend. Would you expect them to win or lose? To even further the point, if I told you that the opposing team was only going to score 7 points for any match up you want, would you think that team would win or lose? In the first example, the team isn't going to win, and the second is they would. I'm not saying the Redskins team only lets people score 7 points in every game, what I'm saying is the defense is doing a spectacular job in not allowing offenses to put multiple touchdowns on the board. They held an offense for 58 minutes that can be highly explosive. AND AFTER ALL THIS, IT'S JUST [B]SEVEN [/B]POINTS.

I know the defense has let us down on a few times this year (thinking of Carolina and Jake here) but I can think when they practically won the Bucs game. It confuses the hell out of me to make that point at the defense. 7 points is NOTHING to every offense in the NFL except the bottom 3 teams, which the redskins are.

If you can blame the defense this year for being the cause of the problems when they make turnovers and only get field goals, when they sack and get good field position for a 3 and out, and when they have to always play more time than the offense, then so be it. But, I would like to say that is not possible.

Our offense can't score 2 touchdowns a game consistently, and with that kind of output, you just aren't going to win games. To say that the defense should expect never break down for even one touchdown a game in today's NFL is ridiculous.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Let's remember that Green Bay's soso D also held the allpowerful cowboys to 7. They are struggling and our "elite" could have made a statement game with one final defensive stand, and did they no. did anyone expect them to? no(well DRave did, but she was loopy at that time anyway;) ) Should we expect our "elite" d to be able to seal a victory when it's just one drive? yes. Remember, our o did do a good job of using the clock, as did dallas'. this was not a long game for the d, and one batted ball, interception, etc and that game probably ends in our favor.

Meh, the team isn't who I thought they were.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;629768]After reading all the comments here blaming Suisham and/or Zorn and/or the playcalling and/or the football gods for yesterday's loss to the Cowboys, I think I watched a different game.

In the game I saw, the sputtering Redskins offense had a 6-0 lead in the game with about 5 or 6 minutes left to play. The reason the Redskins lost the game is stunningly similar to the reason the Redskins have lost several games in the last two years:

[INDENT]In the 4th quarter when the team [B]MUST HAVE [/B]a defensive stand (three-and-out or a turnover to get the ball back) what the team gets is a drive by the opposition resulting in a score.[/INDENT]

Yardage allowed stats are for losers. What matters is making the defensive stop when the team absolutely, positively has to have one. And the Skins' defense the last couple of years simply has NOT done that.

I do not keep notes on play-by-play as I watch the games, but in the final drive when the game was on the line, I believe the only negative play for the Cowboys was a false start penalty. I don't recall the Cowboys facing a 3rd down situation; if they did, it was certainly not 3rd-and-long. When it mattered, the defense came up small.

Granted, if either or both of the missed field goals is good, the Skins win. But the Redskins still had the game in hand or - to use a tennis term - on their racket with 5 or 6 minutes left in the game.

That was the game that came through on my cable system...[/quote]

What the hell are you talking about? How many football teams win with 2 effing field goals? You want to pin that on the D? :bs:

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Not that it matters, but ESPN just showed that Dallas had an ineligible receiver downfield on the TD pass and the officials didn't catch it. I don't blame our loss on that, it's just typical, that's all.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

I can't hang too much blame on the D when they pitched a shutout for 3 quarters. The offense simply needs to put up more than 2 FG's. That's the game I was watching.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

I completely agree with the original poster...I am so surprised to see that the Redskins have such a good defense because they always give up big plays when we can least afford it.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Well, I understand the overall thought here...because its true... yesterday, you absolutley can't blame the defense, you hold the Cowboys to 7 points... thats on everyone else but the defense....

But this does point out a disturbing trend...something that has happened time and time again

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=Mattyk72;629864]I can't hang too much blame on the D when they pitched a shutout for 3 quarters. The offense simply needs to put up more than 2 FG's. That's the game I was watching.[/quote]

Agreed. Sure they allowed the final score, but come on. We went on the road and held our archrival to 7 points. ANY TIME a team can hold the opponent to a single touchdown, you've got to win. I don't care if the opponent scores that lone touchdown on the opening or final drive of the game. 7 points allowed has got to equal a W. Our offense is just that bad.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=rbanerjee23;629867]I completely agree with the original poster...I am so surprised to see that the Redskins have such a good defense because they always give up big plays when we can least afford it.[/quote]

I agree that we've allowed some big plays at inopportune times, but every defense, even great ones, allow big plays occasionally. I recall our D having a few pretty bad ass goal line stands this season as well. Those are must have stops too.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

The only reason the D gives up drives when we can not afford them to is because the o can never score enough points so we have a two score lead. So evertime the other team takes the field they can take the lead by scoring thus making it look like the D cannot make a stand.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

The defense made some mistakes yesterday (dropped INT's) but, they held Dallas scoreless and without a reception to a WR for 3 quarters. You've got to win those games.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

You can blame the offense all you want. You can praise the defense all you want.

But when you blame the offense, just recall that in the 2000-2001 season the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV.

And thier anemic offense did not score an offensive TD in the final SIX weeks of the regular season. Thats 24 quarters of football, without one offensive TD. All scores were either field goals or defensive scoring.

They clinched the wild card and went on the win it all.

Ultimate example of a "team" effort.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=sandtrapjack;629878]You can blame the offense all you want. You can praise the defense all you want.

But when you blame the offense, just recall that in the 2000-2001 season the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV.

[B]And thier anemic offense did not score an offensive TD in the final SIX weeks of the regular season[/B]. Thats 24 quarters of football, without one offensive TD. All scores were either field goals or defensive scoring.

They clinched the wild card and went on the win it all.

Ultimate example of a "team" effort.[/quote]

What are you talking about? Do you check this stuff? Dec.10, 2000. Against the Chargers, Dilfer completed 16 of 24 passes for 187 yds. and 2 TD's. That was their 14th game of the regular season.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=sandtrapjack;629878]You can blame the offense all you want. You can praise the defense all you want.

But when you blame the offense, just recall that in the 2000-2001 season the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV.

And thier anemic offense did not score an offensive TD in the final SIX weeks of the regular season. Thats 24 quarters of football, without one offensive TD. All scores were either field goals or defensive scoring.

They clinched the wild card and went on the win it all.

Ultimate example of a "team" effort.[/quote]

OK, so are you agreeing with the original post? Those Ravens were an exception. Sure that offense wasn't very good, but that defense was probably the best in NFL history.

Is the Redskins' defense to blame for yesterday's loss because they aren't carrying the team like the best defense the league has ever seen??? Come on man.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=sandtrapjack;629878]You can blame the offense all you want. You can praise the defense all you want.

But when you blame the offense, just recall that in the 2000-2001 season the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV.

And thier anemic offense did not score an offensive TD in the final SIX weeks of the regular season. Thats 24 quarters of football, without one offensive TD. All scores were either field goals or [B]defensive scoring[/B].

They clinched the wild card and went on the win it all.

Ultimate example of a "team" effort.[/quote]

Somehow we play great defense but can never get a defensive score.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Umm, Ok, I'm seriously confused of what the OP wrote.....Is it the Defense that sucked only during the last drive, or was it the Offense that sucked all day and was forced to only kick field goals?

To me the Skins played admirably. Against a team who should have atleast blown us out since they do have the capacity to score which we don't. The Defense held Dallas to no score the whole first and second half up until the last drive which was basically the last 3 min. of the game. During the second half the team failed to sustain their drives which brought the Defense back out yet again to get tired so by the last drive I think they were spent. Had the Offense been able to score one or both field goals or actually score a TD the Skins would have one.

Now having said all that. I'm not impressed with our offense. I'm glad our young players are getting involved and getting playing time but two field goals....6 points will not win all the big games.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

I wasnt aware it was the defense's job to score 7pts a game on turnovers, they held the other team to 7 pts and kept it within reach so id say they did their job.
Sure they had chances to make big plays but so did the offense and special teams.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

There were missed opportunities defensively. But this loss wasn't on the defense

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

So now we have an OP blaming the defense for a loss because they didn't pitch a shutout. And, worse, there are others who actually agree with him. So, we should have won an NFL game 6-0, then? It's hard for me to believe that reasonable people could come to that conclusion.

If we had even a halfway decent offense that Cowboys touchdown would have been little more than an afterthought.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

I think the OP's point, and it is accurate, is that our defense has a habit of giving up points at the end of a close game, think Rams last year, 49'ers last year. If our offense would blow out other teams then it would not be an issue, and would be considered garbage time (we know about those right?) But I think it is a consistent trend of this defense to give up points not only on the last, but also the first drives of the game. Think back to the first drive yesterday. Dallas went down the field with EASE. It was only a fluke Barber fumble that stopped that drive at the 20. Then the D locks down, like it can, but come the last drive of the 4th quarter, bang, zip powee, the Cowboys move it with ease. I don't get it. I think our D should be able to shutout offenses that are struggling (like the cowboys yesterday) but somehow, as good as they are, they find a way to diminish their effort.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;629900]I think the OP's point, and it is accurate, is that our defense has a habit of giving up points at the end of a close game, think Rams last year, 49'ers last year. If our offense would blow out other teams then it would not be an issue, and would be considered garbage time (we know about those right?) But I think it is a consistent trend of this defense to give up points not only on the last, but also the first drives of the game. Think back to the first drive yesterday. Dallas went down the field with EASE. It was only a fluke Barber fumble that stopped that drive at the 20. Then the D locks down, like it can, but come the last drive of the 4th quarter, bang, zip powee, the Cowboys move it with ease. I don't get it. [B]I think our D should be able to shutout offenses that are struggling (like the cowboys yesterday) but somehow, as good as they are, they find a way to diminish their effort.[/B][/quote]

I think at least sometimes they are just pooped from being on the field much of the day and thus are vulnerable late in the game.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=Lotus;629903]I think at least sometimes they are just pooped from being on the field much of the day and thus are vulnerable late in the game.[/quote]
Maybe, but yesterday our Offense had the ball for some nice drives, I think. you have to expect to be on the field 30 minutes right?. and our O was getting torn up with injuries, the D only had Hall i believe. I don't know, I just think the d could have and should have shown Dallas whose their daddy!

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;629905]Maybe, but yesterday our Offense had the ball for some nice drives, I think. you have to expect to be on the field 30 minutes right?. and our O was getting torn up with injuries, the D only had Hall i believe. I don't know, [B]I just think the d could have and should have shown Dallas whose their daddy[/B]![/quote]

They did for every single drive except one. Can't fault them for allowing 7 points in 4 quarters. They get ZERO help from our pathetic offense.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Yeah, the notion that our defense somehow let us down or didn't come through is ridiculous.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;629905]Maybe, but yesterday our Offense had the ball for some nice drives, I think. you have to expect to be on the field 30 minutes right?. and our O was getting torn up with injuries, the D only had Hall i believe. I don't know,[B] I just think the d could have and should have shown Dallas whose their daddy[/B]![/quote]

It would have been a great ending if they would have. I know exactly what you mean C, but considering we played without AH I thought they played very well. Orakpo almost had Homo sacked and the refs missed an illegal receiver downfield call, plus the D held them scoreless for most of the game. The D shouldn't have to play a perfect game for us to win. It's frustrating as hell.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

Anyone that's upset with our offense is STUPID.

Name one other NFL team that can be without:
1) Pro Bowl LT
2) Pro Bowl RB
3) Pro Bowl TE
4) Starting RG
5) Back-up RG
6) Back-up RB

I know every team has injuries, but what other team has anywhere close to decimation of our offense? It wasn't very good to begin with, and I don't expect it to be very good now.

I view the rest of the season as a good try-out for the back-ups, and a good chance for the WR's to get more practice running routes. Maybe FDavis practicing blocking. And Jason Campbell - well, trying not to get hurt. We have no chance on making the playoffs, may as well get a good draft pick.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

I will say this though...our defense is not the same without AH. He's an absolute difference maker

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=ethat001;629922][B]Anyone that's upset with our offense is STUPID.

Name one other NFL team that can be without:
1) Pro Bowl LT
2) Pro Bowl RB
3) Pro Bowl TE
4) Starting RG
5) Back-up RG
6) Back-up RB[/B]

I know every team has injuries, but what other team has anywhere close to decimation of our offense? It wasn't very good to begin with, and I don't expect it to be very good now.

I view the rest of the season as a good try-out for the back-ups, and a good chance for the WR's to get more practice running routes. Maybe FDavis practicing blocking. And Jason Campbell - well, trying not to get hurt. We have no chance on making the playoffs, may as well get a good draft pick.[/quote]

And how was the offense playing when all those players were healthy?? Exactly. 100% healthy or really banged up, this offense is bad.

Re: I must have missed yesterday's game...
 

[quote=GMScud;629925]And how was the offense playing when all those players were healthy?? Exactly. 100% healthy or really banged up, this offense is bad.[/quote]

Yeah it's not like injuries have killed the production of the offense, they stunk even before the injuries. 6 points is piss poor production no matter who is out there.