Keys to Winning

[firstdown]

What do you guys think we have to do this week to get that victory over the Seahawks? Besides all the same stuff Portis over 100 yards, Moss having a big game, Brunell hitting his WRs, and the D playing at the same level that it has been over the past 6 games. I feel the key to this game is somone who is not normaly a big play maker having a big play for us or several big plays. Like Jacobs catching 7 to 8 passes for 90 yards, Harris getting an int for a TD or Brown scoring on a return. I just feel this is the week that someone new has to step to the plate and come up big for his team.

[saden1]

No turnovers, no turnovers, did I say no turnovers?
Force turnovers, force turnovers, did I say force turnovers?

[Paintrain]

As I posted on another message board

Factors that could play into an upset this weekend-
>The Seahawks struggle against physical teams. The 4 'physical' teams they played (Jacksonville, Washington, Dallas and NYG) all either beat them or took them the distance. The two home games played by Seattle against NFC East opponents were their two closest games, winning each by 3 points. Both teams were destroyed by Washington (albeit at home) late in the season but they play the physical style that the Redskins play.

>The book on Hasslbeck is hit him early and often and he gets gun shy and will make a bad decision. The Seahawks have the best OL in the conference so that is very difficult to acheive though. In the last game the Redskins didn't have Lavar Arrington, Joe Saleve'a or 'Toast' Walt Harris. Playing at less than 100% was Sean Taylor and they still held the Seahawks to 17 pts and Alexander to less than 100 yds. This time the defense comes in at full strength and full health. Expect to see a lot of blitzing with Springs, Rogers, Taylor and Harris all healthy and able to cover WR one on one.

>The Seahawks lack of success in the postseason is well documented as is Joe Gibbs success in the postseason, but a stat I heard on one of the shows this week is the 2nd time their team faces the same opponent in the same season, Gibbs has like a 73% winning percentage vs. Holmgren at about 52%.

>Finally, a lot has been put on the 122 yds of offense the Redskins put up last week. In that game, with a 14 pt lead in the 1st quarter, the coaching staff took all of the long passing plays out of the playbook (as was noted in a Washington Post article earlier in the week) and played conservatively to keep the ball secure. Of the remaining 11 or so possessions, 9 were run on 1st down, run on 2nd down, short pass on 3rd down. There was no attempt to rack up more yards or put more points on the board. For more of what to expect from a game plan, look at the Cowboys and Giants games from late in the season. Run on 1st down, play action on 2nd down, run or pass (depending) on 3rd down with at least one long attempt per possession that goes more than one cycle of downs.

Bottom line, the Redskins do need to play a near perfect game to capture the upset but I am going with 27-23 Redskins.

[12thMan]

If we have at least one turnover, I think we can still beat these guys.

More importantly, we have to limit penalties and get good penetration on kickoffs. We can't give Alexander and Co. a short field. Won't work.

I think our defense will come up with two very big plays!

[gibbs4life]

Originally Posted by saden1

No turnovers, no turnovers, did I say no turnovers?
Force turnovers, force turnovers, did I say force turnovers?

and do it for 4 quarters of football.
all out football all day long until the clock reads 00:00.
by the way force some turnovers. fly to the football on defense.
win from the trenches offense and defense.

lay it on the line cause this is the playoffs and nothing else will surfice.

[Warpath]

I also posted my keys to the game in another post and I can't seem to remember where that was.

1.Line of scrimmage. Whichever team controls this line will probably get a W. Look for alot of running in this game.

2.Don't give up the big plays; Make big plays. Using our strong Defense we need to not bite on the play fake or on trick plays like the flea flicker. Using the X-factor in this game, Chris Cooley, as a short and middle range receiver with great hands look for him to open up big plays for Portis and Moss.

3.Limit turnovers and stupid penalties.

4.Field position. Keep the Seahawks on their side of the field as much as possible. Dont give up alot of return yards on special teams.

Redskins fall behind early but rally to win 17-14.

[MTK]

On the offensive side, I don't care if it's Portis, Betts, Cartwright, are all 3 together, we absolutely have to control the game with our running game.

I think we'll find a bit more room this week vs. last week against Tampa. We won the last 5 games of the season by shoving it down people's throats, and that's the only way we'll be able to pull this one out.

On the defense, bottle up Alexander (which I think we'll do) and force Hasselbeck and co. into some 3rd and longs.

Win the time of possession battle, win the turnover battle, grab an early lead and make Seattle force the issue a bit and we'll be one win away from Detroit!!

Greeting from a DC native and skins fan living in Washington State.

I found a lot of Skins Fans out here in "Big Foot Country".

IMO...The key to this game is what they have been already doing... that is...
(stopping running games cold).

The skins defence will do its job and the offense will clean up. (Skins 28 / Hawks 10)

[dmek25]

bigskin ,new member alert,new member alert

Yeah...I'm a newbie but a longtime fan. I am really looking forward to posting regularly. I'm not one of those "fair weather fans" ... This is the "real deal" and part of me. ....Skins 4 Life brothers.

[70Chip]

The Redskins need to break out a trick play on special teams. I don't believe that Gibbs has EVER run a fake out of field goal formation. I remember Norv throwing a pass with Frerotte against the Giants in about '96 but I don't think Gibbs has. If someone can think of one please post. I thought Frost showed great speed on that tackle last week so maybe a direct snap to Hall and pass to Frost. The key to winning will be big plays on special teams. It is the one area where we should have a definite edge.

[4mrusmc]

Welcome aboard DC!

[Funbunchfan]

IMO John Hall needs to have a good day on kickoffs we can't afford to let Seattle start on the 35 yard line every time.

[44deisel44]

We need to bring some things to this game we haven't done much of on offense. Portis screens come to mind, and some early playaction deep.

Our D just needs to keep doing what they are doing. Hold Shawn under 100, get some pressure from front 4. If we have to start run blitzing to early then we will have to have a good performance from offense to keep up on scoreboard. Matt will pick us apart with no pressure and LBs not getting back in coverage.

[44deisel44]

Originally Posted by Funbunchfan

IMO John Hall needs to have a good day on kickoffs we can't afford to let Seattle start on the 35 yard line every time.

YES!!!! Very very key to their running game. The short field must STOP

Great point Fun