The Dreaded Third Quarter

[SouperMeister]

The third quarter of the season has not been kind to the Skins recently. Looking at the two years under Spurrier and the 4 years under Gibbs, the Skins started the season's second half as follows:

2002: 1-3 (losing first 2)
2003: 1-3
2004: 1-3 (losing first 3)
2005: 1-3 (losing first 3)
2006: 1-3 (losing first 2)
2007: 0-4

I'm at a loss for how the team would open the 2nd half so poorly, especially when they had good teams in 2005 and 2007 that started 5-3, and eventually made the playoffs. Needless to say, this trend must stop NOW if this year's team aspires to hosting playoff games and making a deep run. I'm curious if any of you have theories on the cause of this negative trend, and how this year might be different with Zorn at the helm.

[JWsleep]

Good post--I had a feeling there was a problem here, but I didn't know the numbers were so bad!

One issue is injuries. Another is fatigue. But all teams face this sort of pressure every year, so that's certainly no excuse. Let's hope Zorn can fire them up. I do think the bye falls at a great time this year, as opposed to some of the last couple of years. Even if we lose to Pitt, we can recharge and get it straight in the bye week.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Good post--I had a feeling there was a problem here, but I didn't know the numbers were so bad!

One issue is injuries. Another is fatigue. But all teams face this sort of pressure every year, so that's certainly no excuse. Let's hope Zorn can fire them up. I do think the bye falls at a great time this year, as opposed to some of the last couple of years. Even if we lose to Pitt, we can recharge and get it straight in the bye week.

Good point on the bye - I believe in many of those past seasons, the bye week was week 3 or 4. Hopefully you're right about the bye allowing our guys to prepare better for the stretch run.

[RMSkins]

Wow! I always knew we had rough third quarters but I had no idea that it was this bad.

[JLW428]

I think this team can do well in the second half of the season. As long as we can keep players healthy - and get the unhealthy players back up to speed, we should be fine.

Another thing we need to work on is capitalizing on our offence in the redzone. We can not settle for field goals. We have been able to drive down the field without a problem (for the most part) thus far. However; once we get in the redzone, it seems that our offence struggles on executing redzone plays.

If we can make these things happen I think we will be just fine.

[MiraclesHappen07]

Like most people said its injuries. Those can really take a toll on a team looking for a playoff run. But so far we havent been doing to bad on injuries, and i believe that Zorn and co. can keep us foucsed and relatively healthy than we have been in recent years

[53Fan]

This may be why we're not trying to rush injured players. Better for them to be completely healthy for the second half of the season.

[Ijaeger]

After looking at those stats, it's easy to see why people are just sitting back waiting for the Redskins to fall flat on their face. Then they can point the finger and laugh and say "I told you so". However, nothing is forever and times do change. And I must say that there is just a different feel about this team. We might not end up 6-2 for the 2cd half of the season but I doubt we'll be 2-6 either. Speaking of stats and streaks, wonder how the election will go after the Pitt. game?

[theJBexperience]

Man! That's bad. A better third quarter will definitely show improvement and whether or not this team is poised to make a run through the playoffs or just barely make it.

[GTripp0012]

Interesting trend, but ultimately it's just statistical noise. The Redskins have played worse in November, historically, but they also never had a team quite as good as this one.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Interesting trend, but ultimately it's just statistical noise. The Redskins have played worse in November, historically, but they also never had a team quite as good as this one.

I know I can't be the only one who finds it ironic that Tripp would refer to some stats as "just statistical noise"

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I know I can't be the only one who finds it ironic that Tripp would refer to some stats as "just statistical noise"

I.......didn't want to....say anything

[RMSkins]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Interesting trend, but ultimately it's just statistical noise. The Redskins have played worse in November, historically, but they also never had a team quite as good as this one.

Just curious Tripp, do you still think this trend is just "statistical noise" or do you think it holds some weight after watching yet another pathetic November display by this team?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by RMSkins

Just curious Tripp, do you still think this trend is just "statistical noise" or do you think it holds some weight after watching yet another pathetic November display by this team?

Still think it's statistical noise.

There's no doubt the team has played worse in the third quarter of the season the last four years compared with the rest of the season, including this year. But do you think that next year, that trend will continue?

I don't see any reason why it would.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Still think it's statistical noise.

There's no doubt the team has played worse in the third quarter of the season the last four years compared with the rest of the season, including this year. But do you think that next year, that trend will continue?

I don't see any reason why it would.

Vinny said an interesting thing on RN last night; (paraphrased) the first 6 games, motivation is easy as a new season starts and everyone has a shot; December motivation is easy if you sniff playoffs; but mid october to Thanksgiving- that is the hardest of the motivational times as it really is a week to week grind.
In that light, late Oct-Nov games do usually lack a lot of definition as teams are jockeying for position, and maybe some other motivation can be used?