One can’t argue about the record. Whatever happens in Philly tonight, the DC football team is in 1st place in the NFC East.
You can’t be unhappy with the defense. Best that unit has been around the Beltway in years. In fact, if you pull the gold away from the burgundy, it looks like Alabama north.
Specials? Dustin Hopkins is OK as a place kicker, certainly boots the ball through the end zone on kickoffs. The punter, Tress Way is near All-Pro.
Well that leaves the offense. Oh the offense. Not having enough offense is the way that one can skeptical of a division leading team after 9 games. Alex Smith seems overly average. The offensive line features off-the-street pickups in the starting lineup and the receivers are highlighted by a guy that had trouble making the team, several years in a row (Mo Harris #13).
The starting tailback is 33 years old and DC is a stop over on the way to Canton, OH. One of the tight ends spends more time on the shelf than on the field (Reed) and the other is ancient (Davis).
Offense is barely breathing. The big play guys are injured and Smith looks shaky. So what do you do? Exactly what Gruden is doing. Shorten the game. Run the ball as much as you can. Make sure the offense does not lose the game.
Long time broadcaster Ken Beatrice had a saying, “More games are lost then are won in the NFL”. For those that watched today’s game, Tampa found a way to lose a game they could have won or at least been razor close. The Redskins, when the defense is stout, don’t find ways to lose.
After years of being exciting, but finding ways to lose, this team is boring and finds ways to win. I guess it is a good thing, but it is hard to get used to.