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Originally Posted by 12thMan
If The Skins Lose:
1. Let's just nip this in the bud right now, people will be calling for Gibbs head no matter how or for what reason or by what amount of points the Skins lose by; a fresh round of criticism will abound. And I personally wonder, if it does happen, how will Gibbs continue to respond and rally the troops at 5-5. Furthermore, will the fan base that Gibbs has endeared to himself over the years begin to slip away and become indifferent.
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If people call for Gibbs' head because he loses to this Dallas team, then they have a warped sense of expectation for this year's Redskins. Dallas is way better given our injury status.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 12thMan
2. It still won't be the end of the world. Conventional wisdom had us splitting with Dallas anyway. And since we play the Cowboys and the Giants again, a loss will not disqualify us for the playoffs. So be warned, even if we lose, our playoff hopes aren't completely dashed. Ten and six could still get us in. Hell, 9-7 might get us in!
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True. To really assess our playoff chances, we'll need to see if teams like NYG, New Orleans, Philly, and Detroit lose this weekend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 12thMan
3. You have to wonder what affect this may have on the team's psyche. We're past the half-way point of the season now, and three losses out of the last four games just doesn't sit well, I don't care who you are. And although it's very uncharacteristic of this team, fingers may start to get pointed.
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Doubtful. This team is a high-character group if nothing else.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 12thMan
4. All of a sudden that Philly game and Sean Taylor's absence becomes even more amplified.. Wouldn't it be something if Philly wins, we lose..and, yeah you get the picture. The NFC East gets really interesting and really tight from that point on. This team just refuses to let you catch your wind, huh?
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I think Philly already has a better chance at making the playoffs than we do, given our injury problems.
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Originally Posted by 12thMan
5. This is Gregg Williams chance to show his mojo - put up or shut up. More than Joe Gibbs, it's Williams' reputation that is really on the line here. No, not entirely on this game, but it's this type of situation where his genius or lack thereof will come to the surface. No matter what, Joe Gibbs will still ride off into the sunset with his three Super Bowl rings when it's all said and done. Gregg Williams, on the other hand, is still being interviewed by management and the rest of the league. A loss, and more specifically a defensive thrashing, could highlight Williams' inability to compensate for Sean Taylor's absence. Let's be real for a second, big people show up in big games. I fully understand that Dallas has weapons and we're limping into this one, but that's why they play the game. If Williams' defense can only thrive when his stars are present, that will no doubt be an asterisk on his resume.
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I can't see blaming GW when he runs out of depth. After all, Gibbs is the one who authorized the trading of draft picks for Lloyd and Duckett. Can't blame Williams for not being able to cover for absent stars, not unless somebody gives him adequate depth with which to work.
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If The Skins Win:
Quote:
Originally Posted by 12thMan
1. Gibbs holds off the hounds for another week. Nothing more, nothing less.
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I think a win over this team, in Dallas, with Sean Taylor out, would be one of Gibbs' finest achievements. If the fan base can't recognize that, we'd be a bunch of ignorant fans. Which we're not.
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Originally Posted by 12thMan
2. Statistically we could speculate all day long of how good a game Jason Campbell will have, but if can he take this team down to Dallas with our backs against the wall, and come out victorious, he'll emerge as the clear leader of the team. Let me say this, even it's a defensive battle and Dallas makes some mistakes, I think somehow, it will be Campbell's leadership that people will ultimately point to that made the difference. This game might not be his coming out party, but it might be his coming out party in the locker room.
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I think the team already sees him as the leader. But I agree, if we win this game (humongous IF), it will be because of Jason Campbell.
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Originally Posted by 12thMan
3. We'll still be under the radar just enough to make people take notice, but not enough for them to believe and fire up the bandwagon. That being said, don't look for anyone to write flattering columns Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or whenever. The jury will still be out on this team. People will still doubt Campbell, they'll still doubt Portis, and they'll definitely doubt Joe Gibbs. Let's face it, until we actually put together a winning streak and solidify a playoff berth, the bashing will continue in all likelihood. So don't look for any love, okay?
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I don't think the media or "the radar" has jack squat to do with how teams prepare week in and week out. Nobody ever looks beyond a team in the playoff hunt. We'll always be taken seriously.
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Originally Posted by 12thMan
4. Huge confidence booster for the team. This team will know they can compete and, more importantly, win on the road. Nothing affirms a team like a good win over a very good team in their home stadium. A win could also carry us the rest of the way. Ten and six looks very doable all of a sudden.
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Agreed on the confidence boost. The team needs it badly.
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Originally Posted by 12thMan
5. FedEx will be going nuts when Dallas comes to town for the last game of the season. I can guarantee you that it will feel more like Dallas week that time around. Just too much doom and gloom this week. Come on Skins, chins up!
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The stadium will be going nuts... unless we're mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by then.