scuppajones Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless/060109 Redskins 17, Bucs 10. Professional gamblers have a saying when they lose a bet on a game: "I was on the right side." Meaning, they handicapped the game correctly and their team should have won or covered the spread. The Tampa Bay Bucs should have won at home on Saturday night. But they didn't. The Redskins managed merely 120 total yards -- the lowest total ever for a winning team in an NFL playoff game. Running back Clinton Portis -- their driving force -- was in and out of the game with sore shoulders. Safety Sean Taylor -- their defensive enforcer -- was ejected for spitting at the Bucs' Michael Pittman. And the Redskins' Derrick Frost -- perhaps punting with one eye closed because it had been gouged as he attempted a tackle -- shanked his most crucial punt out of bounds after it traveled only 14 yards, giving the Bucs one last chance all the way up at their 46-yard line with 1:05 left. The Bucs should be playing in Round 2. But they aren't. That's because something's going on with these 'Skins. Something weirdly wondrous. They're definitely riding the Love Train, with Capt. Destiny driving. That's six in a row for Joe Gibbs' guys. Just when you've decided they're not any good, they win again. Their offense can be shockingly explosive, and it can set records for ineptitude. But again and again, the Redskins make all the right live-to-play-another-day plays. The main reason the Redskins won on Saturday was that their defense held the NFL's offensive rookie of the year, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, to just 49 yards on 18 carries. And they didn't just strip the ball from Williams -- Sean Taylor made a sensational full-speed pickup of the fumble and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown. Bucs first-year starter Chris Simms didn't throw a single bad-idea, bad-throw interception. But two of his passes were tipped and intercepted -- including one from his 46 with 1:05 remaining. Cornelius Griffin got a hand on that one. As Capt. Destiny would have it, the carom headed straight into Marcus Washington's hands. Ball game. Simms' offense had chance after chance, including a third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 at Washington's 19-yard line with about 7½ minutes left. On third and 1, the 'Skins got even for that Mike Alstott touchdown that shouldn't have been, which beat Washington during the regular season. This time: Alstott, no gain. On fourth-and-1, it was as if Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams knew the play. His guys didn't bite on the play fake, and linebacker Marcus Williams made a beeline into the flat to snuff the intended receiver, Jameel Cook. Best defensive strategy of the weekend. Yes, with three minutes left, Simms threw a beautiful rainbow that Edell Shepherd should have caught. But he didn't.These are the breaks you get when a playoff run is meant to be. These sixth-seeded 'Skins, who beat Seattle in Washington, will win in Seattle if (1) Portis' shoulders heal enough for him to play the entire game; and (2) Taylor is fined, but not suspended, for spitting. He should only be fined. On Saturday, Tampa Bay's defense was playing nearly at its 2002 Super Bowl level. The 'Skins will pile up far more than 120 yards in Seattle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYSkins1 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Thank goodness--finally, someone who's not jumping on and off the bandwagon ("The Skins are the worst 3-0 team in the history of the NFL" "The Redskins are the hottest team in the NFC" "The Redskins will get flattened by the Seahawks")! Someone who actually realizes that the fact that we won with only 120 offensive yards actually means that we're GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan23 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 great article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orlskinsfan Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 its all about finding ways to win in the playoffs...in the game against tampa it was with defense...it might be something completley different in seattle, but i have faith the skins will find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novaskin Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Isn't that Len Pastabelly's article? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRay Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I saw that yesterday good article finally a voice of reasoning hey this could be a team of destiny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asnpcwiz Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 We have a linebacker named "Marcus Williams"?!? Not a bad article. It's one of the rare things I've read giving us some praise. I'm glad someone realized that our defensive completely broke down the Caddy. Thanks for the good article scuppa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrell1106 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 On fourth-and-1, it was as if Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams knew the play. His guys didn't bite on the play fake, and linebacker Marcus Williams made a beeline into the flat to snuff the intended receiver, Jameel Cook. Best defensive strategy of the weekend. Marcus Williams.....lovely but I think it was Lemar Marshall who mirrored Jameel Cook and MW went directly after Chris Simms. It doesn't matter because we understand the intentions of the story and at least, according to them, we have a fighting chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlito Sway Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Skip Bayless picks the Skins to win? Wow. I'm feeling it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willmb5 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Amen to this guy. finally someone that realizes....regardless of only 120 yards....WE KEEP WINNING. we make the plays that we need to make and thats all that matters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsFTW Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 So if Portis plays the game and Taylor isn't suspended we win? I wish it was that easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuppajones Posted January 11, 2006 Author Share Posted January 11, 2006 So if Portis plays the game and Taylor isn't suspended we win?I wish it was that easy. I know one thing Taylor will be scaring those receivers coming across the middle. He is definitely getting a reputation for knocking peoples heads off.:eaglesuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexRS Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 On Saturday, Tampa Bay's defense was playing nearly at its 2002 Super Bowl level. Do you agree? didn't they have Sapp on the 2002 team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slacky McSlackAss Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 skip bayless picked the skins to go to the nfc championship even before the giants game on cold pizza. and his moronic counterpart woody paige decided that atlanta was a better team than the skins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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