VICTORY!!!

 

Redskins 20 - 15 Cardinals

 

Sorry folks, just made it. Plus, all of our photogs are injured.

 

It must be the end of a bad season with no hope of playoffs.

 

But I am here, JimmiJo, to bring you all the action.

 

Here are my thoughts in a nutshell, bottom-line sort of way: win today or coaches could become at risk. 

 

This is where you see who is who and who will be here next year.

 

Follow along on Twitter @Skinscast.

 

Inactives 

 

The Redskins declared the following players as inactive:

o   No. 19 WR Robert Davis

o   No. 35 S Montae Nicholson

o   No. 53 LB Zach Brown

o   No. 67 G Kyle Kalis

o   No. 71 T Trent Williams

o   No. 73 C Demetrius Rhaney

o   No. 97 DL Terrell McClain

 

Half

 

Prototypical game for Washington. Jump out to early start, then the offense starts to fade. The bad news with this is Arizona has stuck with the run game and it is starting to pay dividends for them. 

 

Thanks to a fumble by Vernon Davis and a good defensive stand by the Redskins; the Cardinals were able to muster a field goal to pull within 5.

Head coach Jay was visibly upset on that last drive and one wonders if he is not going to be lighting this team up in the locker room.

 

The Redskins get the ball to start the half. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JimmiJo

 

Make no mistake. A win is a win is a win.

 

But let’s not kid ourselves; any competent quarterback for Arizona and this was likely a loss. Heck, if the tight end holds the ball at the 1-yard line at the end it is likely a loss.

 

The Washington Redskins got one they had to have. It meant nothing in the overall; there are no postseason aspirations, and this game likely had no spoiler-implications.

 

But for the Redskins it was about pride and identity. It was also about people’s jobs.

 

If a football team cannot get up for a much-needed win against a bad team in front of their home crowd; the problems are about more than injuries and dumb-luck. Such a loss would have been an indictment of the coaching staff. Specifically the head coach.

 

Attitude is a reflection of leadership, as the saying goes. And lately this team has not been showing up.

 

That’s on the man in charge.

 

A loss today and ownership could be starting to consider a change at skipper. At a minimum he is wondering who else is out there.

 

The good news is the team responded and found a way to win. They had help.

 

Blaine Gabbert finished the day 16-of-41 for 181 for quarterback rating of 52.9. Worse were those moments when he decided to have poor accuracy. His red zone effectiveness was atrocious.

 

Then there were the dropped balls from the receivers. If the Cardinals tight end catches the ball at the 1-yard line we are having a different conversation.

 

The Redskins on the other hand didn’t fare much better. They posted just 218 total net yards of offense, and a paltry 31-yards rushing.

 

The offense benefitted from an opening drive sack-fumble by their defense. Two plays later, Kirk connected with Jamison Crowder for the easy touchdown.

 

Two drives later the Redskins would again draw blood when Cousins hooked up with Kapri Bibbs fir a 36-yard touchdown.

But after this the offense went flat. They managed only 15-total plays in the first half. And early in the 2nd half had only amassed 5-yards rushing.

 

The turnover the start the second half deflated the team and stadium.  Washington would manage to add another two field goals, and it turned out to be  just enough to get the win.

 

Cousins was by far the best player on offense finishing 18/26 for 196-yards, 2-touchdowns and a QB-rating of 149.07.

Crowder led all receivers with 5-catches for 55-yards and a TD. Next came Bibbs, with 4-receptions for 47-yards and a touchdown.

 

Defensively, Washington brought pressure that made a difference at times. Preston Smith had a banner-day; finishing the game with a sack, fumble recovery, and interception. Anthony Lanier had two batted balls and a forced fumble. Kendall Fuller led all tacklers with 6-solo and 2-assists.

 

The Redskins did just enough to get a win at home. It means they can still to avoid a losing season which would paint a much different picture on the season.

 

From here on out it’s about who wants to be here next year. Washington has one more home game against the Denver Broncos, who feature a touch defensive group. They will then travel to New York for the final game of the year.

 

It’s all about character now.