skins fan1010 Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 Timing is Everything (or, Tony Kornheiser Had a Premature Calculation) http://countertrey.blogspot.com/2005/11/timing-is-everything-or-tony.html Excerpts: When the Redskins had five wins and three losses, Tony Kornheiser wrote a column for the Washington Post in which he said—somewhat tongue-in-cheek—that the Redskins would run the table in their last eight games. I thought he was kidding, but his comments on Sport Talk 980 confirmed that he wasn’t. Redskins’ fans would like to see their team earn a playoff spot, preferably by winning the division, but even now the Redskins do not have to run the table to accomplish that. This post will focus on the likely playoff outcome in the NFC. The Redskins have lost their last two games and five of their last seven, and you would think from the message boards and pundits’ comments that they have been eliminated from the playoffs. That is pure nonsense. This is the NPL, the National Parity League... ...Last year it only took eight wins to earn a playoff spot in the NFC. This year it will take more, but the Redskins are already two games better than last year and this year’s five wins were earned against an excruciatingly difficult schedule and despite some of the worst luck in the league. Now, everywhere I turn, people are saying this Sunday’s game against the Chargers is a must-win game. That’s just more nonsense. I expect it to be close, but this is not a must-win game. The Chargers play in the AFC and cannot take a playoff spot from the Redskins... ...Could their schedule have been any more difficult than that? Whose schedule was worse? Out of ten games, the Redskins have played five against teams that are currently in first place in their division... (a full analysis of the contenders' remaining schedules follows) Other Reasons for Optimism Is that it Counter Trey? Is that all you got, just that the schedule gets easier? Well, no, there is much more (including the Redskins get their defensive triplets on the field for the first time all year)... Read the whole thing at: http://countertrey.blogspot.com/2005/11/timing-is-everything-or-tony.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoudMouth12thMan Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 Great post, must read the link. However, I disagree with the fact that Sunday's game is not important. From a division standpoint, it isn't (b/c it is AFC). From a momentum and team morale standpoint it is. You cannot lose back-to-back home games and have the confidence to go on the road and win two road games. At least that's my:2cents: . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 if the Redskins lose vs. SD they won't make the playoffs. that's not from God's mouth to my ears, but based on my watching the Redskins for the past 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoudMouth12thMan Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 Ditto!!! I'm with JT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimm Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 This hits it on the head, would be nice to beat SD, but with our last games all against divisional opponents it will realy come down to those 3 games, with bulger hurt and the cardinals not looking good, and the eagles all banged up the giants and cowboys game will decided our fate, in my opion anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mookie0720 Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 We're 2-5 over our last 7 and currently 2 games out of first place in the division. With a bunch of tough division games coming up I'd say this IS a must win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 Guys realitically we arent in good shape to make the playoffs to start with, so I think we have to consider this one a must win, only so that the last 5 arent ALL must wins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 what people fail to take into consideration is how a team is playing. Yes, a team can run off 4 or 5 victories in a row but usually there is a catalyst for that type of breakout, ie an injured player coming back healthy or a particularly poor loss that sticks in the craw of a veteran team that brings them together. The Redskins don't seem to have any of these kinds of rallying cries. Most troubling, the team doesn't seem to have any defined and visible leaders who can break the chalkboard in the locker room to get the team's attention and help keep other players accountable. That has been a problem here for several years. Who are the vocal leaders? Who are the players that others don't want to have to encounter on the bench or in the dressing room after having come up with boneheaded plays that cost the team victories? I don't think there is that type of galvanizing figure on this team. There is no Brett Favre. There is no Ray Lewis. Guys that kept their teams competitive for a number of years and who acted as the rallying point for their teammates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalRedskinFan Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 I agree with Bulldog to some extent. But we do have "that guy" on our team, he just hasnt stepped up into that role yet. Lavar or Taylor could both fill that role. Its just a matter of time before they do.:logo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Happy Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 It's a must win. They all are from now on. We don't want to have to rely on other teams losing to decide our fate. We still control our destiny. If we win out, we make the playoffs at 11-5. If we lose, we might be able to get in at 10-6. In fact, we probably will because we will have a 10-2 NFC record and a 5-1 division record. In fact, I bet if you run the scenarios that is actually a guaranteed spot. But why take that chance? They should treat the rest of the games as playoff games because they just might be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinFaninOKC Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 After being 3-0 EVERY game became a must win. Now every game is becoming Mt. Everest. Right now we have only established a base camp. Now we need Mark Brunell and Clinton Portis to take us to the peak. Every win gets us closer to the top and every loss is like falling off the mountain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 this game is won up front. Brunell and Portis are going to look as good as the offensive line allows them to. ditto on defense. right now, Walt Harris and Carlos Rogers are giving up plays down the field on man coverage in the blitz packages, so the DL has to start getting a rush with the 4 down linemen and perhaps just a linebacker on the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan086 Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 This is a must-win and I think we will take it. Whether or not the Chargers are in the AFC or NFC is irrelevant. They have a chance to negativel impact our record, which will have a bad impact on our playoff chances. However, we will own the Chargers this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 if that is to happen the Redskins will have played their best game in two years truly, no turnovers. good defense and an offense that controls the clock to keep Tomlinson and Co. off the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PR-Broncomaniac Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Every game is important, whether it is Conference or not. I think that your team has improved with Portis running a little better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 yeah, I am amused by some of the posters on this board that think Portis is one our biggest problems :laugh: the guy is on pace for a 1,300 yard season at a 4.5 ypc clip. definitely dog meat, eh? :laugh: meanwhile Chris Samuels is getting a $15 million bonus and LaVar Arrington is getting a $16 million bonus for doing what exactly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FightForOldDC21 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 its a must win we need momentum going on the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hail2skins Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Basically the writer is saying that we're going to run the table our last five games just because our head coach is Joe Freakin Gibbs. Well hallelujah!! I guess JG NEVER lost at Arizona during his first tenure and NEVER got beat by Bill Parcells at RFK. Wow, in the future, I may as well just blow off the first six games of any season, since we're guaranteed to run the table the next 10!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONTEY Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 what people fail to take into consideration is how a team is playing. Yes, a team can run off 4 or 5 victories in a row but usually there is a catalyst for that type of breakout, ie an injured player coming back healthy or a particularly poor loss that sticks in the craw of a veteran team that brings them together. The Redskins don't seem to have any of these kinds of rallying cries. Most troubling, the team doesn't seem to have any defined and visible leaders who can break the chalkboard in the locker room to get the team's attention and help keep other players accountable. That has been a problem here for several years. Who are the vocal leaders? Who are the players that others don't want to have to encounter on the bench or in the dressing room after having come up with boneheaded plays that cost the team victories? I don't think there is that type of galvanizing figure on this team. There is no Brett Favre. There is no Ray Lewis. Guys that kept their teams competitive for a number of years and who acted as the rallying point for their teammates. Man you are so right. Can't say anymore. :helmet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmEEgLeS Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Only in the NFC could you have 8 wins and make the playoffs. The NFC is on its down side right now looks like they all should be rebuilding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleese Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Here's what I want: 7-6 going into the Dallas game. Then, that game would mean something. If we beat Dallas, we'd be 8-6 with two left-- and I would have taken that before the year. Win two of the next three and least we keep hope alive when Dallas comes to town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Here's what I want: 7-6 going into the Dallas game. Then, that game would mean something. If we beat Dallas, we'd be 8-6 with two left-- and I would have taken that before the year. Win two of the next three and least we keep hope alive when Dallas comes to town. Exactly. I'd take 7-6 right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hail2skins Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Kleese, I totally agree. 7-6 heading into the Boys game at least gives us hope of 10 wins, which is probably what's going to be needed to make the playoffs in the NFC. However, for as bad as people make the Rams and the Cards to be, I simply don't want to have to rely on us to win BOTH of those games. I'll be at the game Sunday, but I can tell you its going to be excruciatingly difficult to watch the two following away games. BTW, please give an update on whether Union wins (I think they play tonight). I was in Tulsa early this week but had to come back to DC on short notice. I was surprised to see Jenks not in the playoffs!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 what amazes me is that people here write off a tough game like San Diego and then talk about running the table on the Cowboys and Giants as if those games are going to be any easier. The Redskins beat Dallas by a hair in September and the Cowboys are a better team now than they were then. Are the Redskins a better team now? The Giants only beat the Redskins 36-0 in their worst loss of the season. Tiki Barber had 206 yards rushing. Now, what gives you the idea we are going to walk into those games after potentially getting flattened against the Chargers and be in 'good' position? This is a team that just lost to the 3-6 friggin' Raiders and Norv Turner at home. And we are going to be in such good shape to win these games because they are at home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hail2skins Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Bulldog, if we had fired Norv right after the 0-7 start in '98 and hired Joe Gibbs before the eighth game, people here (if ES had existed back then) would insist the Skins were going to the playoffs that year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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