New Defensive Philosophy Paying Off

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

The defense has been very impressive, but that fact just adds to the frustration.

Washington has made opposing quarterbacks look very bad, and has still found ways to lose. The two quarterbacks that beat them, Favre and Eli Manning had a combined four INT's and only one TD. They've been decent against the run and are a few missed tackles away from being the best overall defense in the league. However, the offense has been unable to capitolize on the success of the defense for several reasons(Patchwork offensive line, drops, running game, etc.).

A team cannot go very far when they physically dominate an opposing team, and still find ways to lose. Good teams find ways to win games that they should lose, like the Cowboys did last week against Buffalo. The Redskins on the other hand, are still having trouble winning games that they should WIN. Until they're able to rectify that, they're going to be having the same type of up and down seasons that they've have for the last several years.

It may seem like we are finding ways to lose because in our two losses this year we've had second half leads that we haven't been able to hold, but in reality that's not what's happening.

To me, finding ways to lose would be defined by a team that consistently dominates its opponent week in and week out (something that with the exception of the Giants game, we have done), but always loses the game at the end. Not in a sample size of two, but a consistent and measurable performance over time in which it becomes a near certainty that said team can not win a close game.

Obviously this does not apply to us. We opened up 2-0 playing two close games.

So then, by my defination, we aren't at all finding ways to lose. We are playing teams very close, and all the big plays are going against us. There were only two big plays in that game yesterday, and that was the pass to Lee for 60 whatever yards, and Moss' fumble that was returned by Woodson. While it's unfortunate that Moss turned the ball over, 90% of all fumbles will not be returned in the way Woodson was able to.

Outside of those two plays, theres no question who played better. Granted, you can't expect to win giving up those plays, but you also can't expect everything to go smoothly though the game.

Drops, fumbles, and assinine 3rd and short play still considered, we would have won that game barring two somewhat-uncharasteristic plays.