Four games in, four losses in the books, and we’re set to play our third quarterback of the season.  Safe to say things have not gone as planned.  Certainly not as hoped.  Walking around the parking lots today, between various fan tailgates, the question fans seemed to be discussing the most was not the outcome of today’s game.  Virtually everyone assumes the Redskins will lose, the only notable exception was an odd Dolphins fan @Spaceman Spiff ran into who, oddly, predicted a 44-0 victory for the Dolphins. 
 

The question fans were buzzing about is if today is ‘the day’ Dan and Bruce finally send Jay Gruden off towards his future endeavors.  That he will not be back next season seems as inevitable as the outcome of today’s game, but will just any loss be enough for Dan to push the red button or will it take something special?  Not the sort of thing fans wish to be talking about just five weeks into the season.

It wasn't all negative.  No matter how bad things get for NFL football fans three words of hope will always remain.  The hope of the terrible, and the fear of the good.  Any given Sunday.

The Redskins declared the following players as Inactive: 
Case Keenum  
Josh Harvey-Clemons 
Aaron Colvin  
Ross Pierschbacher  
Brandon Scherff  
Veron Davis  
Jordan Reed 

The Patriots declared the following players as Inactive: 
Cody Kessler  
Patrick hung  
Rex Burkhead  
Damien Harris  
Nate Ebner  
Korey Cunningham  
Byron Cowart 

1st Qtr: Redskins 7 - Patriots 6

Maybe it’s all this diet coke talking but I’m feeling pretty good after one quarter of football.  The Redskins are winning and we haven’t even started passing the ball yet.  (I assume Jay and Colt are saving that stuff for later.)  
 
The Redskins defense scared me a little when they gave up what looked like an all-too-easy scoring drive but they managed to regroup and mostly limit the Patriots offense for the rest of the quarter.   
 
We only need three more quarters like this one and the game is ours!  Simple, right?

Halftime Redskins 7 – Patriots 12  

After all the talk about Colt, Jay’s favorite, returning from injury I expected the team to... you know... actually pass the ball.  That certainly didn’t happen.  The only the Redskins offense did in the 2nd qtr worth remembering is turn the ball over twice inside their own 20.  Luckily, it’s half time.  Gruden is sure to put in some adjustments that get these guys back on track.   
 
The Redskins defense was an entirely different story.  They were placed in impossible situations and held the Pats to just two field goals.  I’m confident they’ll be just as good in the second half.

I smell food.... back later! 

 

3rd Qtr: Redskins 7 - Patriots 26

Hand thrown t-shirts are not nearly as fun as those blasted out of canons.  That needed to be said. 
 

The third quarter was what I think most of us expected going into this game.  The Redskins offense proved to be entirely ineffective while the Patriots had little trouble getting into the endzone.  I don’t know who is in charge of halftime adjustments for the Redskins but they should consider trying playing better in the 2nd half.  If nothing else, it would be a refreshing change of pace. 
 
On the bright side... I can’t even finish that sentence.  I’m getting another cookie.     

4th Qtr  Redskins 7 – Patriots 33  

Credit where credit is due.  The guy with the D *fence picture* sign on the sideline has not let the fact that most of the fans have left diminish his energy.  That most of the fans remaining in his little corner of the world are Patriots fans has not slowed him either.  He has continued to implore fans to make noise with his little sign no regardless of circumstance. 
 

On the field the march towards the inevitable continues.  Patriots added 7 more while the Redskins offense showed us why they are ranked in the bottom of the league.   

Highlight of the 4th quarter, for me, was watching Sal Paolantonio get so bored with the game that he eventually fled from his seat. 

Final Thoughts

The game may not have played out exactly as expected from the very beginning but it eventually got there.  Redskins ended up getting blown out by the Patriots in FedEx Field in front of a crowd largely made comprised of Patriots fans.  Turns out that expecting it doesn't make it any more enjoyable to watch.

Next week, against the dolphins, might be our best chance to win a game all season.  As much as there can be a "must win" in what is sure to be a lost season, next week is it.  Fans are never happy watching a loss, but losing to the Pats is expected.  If this team finds a way to lose next week, things will get ugly.