CSN: After Further Review: Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

[Oldskool]

By Rich Tandler

Redskins Blogger

CSNwashington.com

Quick Take

The Redskins could be chasing this game all year long.

By snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by blowing a 27-10 third-quarter lead and losing to the Houston Texans 30-27 in overtime, the Redskins lost a chance to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East and open up a two-game lead over the Dallas Cowboys.

If Washington misses out on a playoff spot or the division title or some other postseason perk on tiebreakers, this game could well be the one that they look back on lament. They had many opportunities to seize firm control of the game early and to put it away late (see below) but they couldn’t get it done.

That said, if you are going to lose a game in any style, a game against an AFC opponent is the one to lose. Non-conference games don’t count in any tiebreakers. In that sense, the loss was less harmful than, say, the Cowboys’ loss to the Bears in an NFC game.

Still, it was a tough loss, no two ways about it. It may put them in a position where they will have to worry about those tiebreakers.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda

In the chat after the game yesterday, as commenters were blaming Reed Doughty (coverage on Andre Johnson), Jammal Brown (false start on third and one), and Fred Davis (lazy/missed block on blocked field goal attempt) for the loss, I said that I probably could find a dozen pivotal plays throughout the game that, had they gone the Redskins’ way, could have altered the outcome in Washington’s favor. After looking at the game again, I came up one short. Here are 11 plays that involved either questionable play calling or errors in execution that, had they gone the other way, might have turned the game in Washington’s favor. Note that you can never be sure how a given play may have altered the dynamic of the rest of the game.

First quarter

--Opening drive, third and nine at the Houston 26. The play call is a bubble screen to Santana Moss, which gains nothing. It was obvious that Donovan McNabb was off to a hot start, and he should have thrown to the sticks instead of hoping that Moss could make a play. The Redskins settled for a field goal.

--Second possession, after Carlos Rogers’ interception. On third and goal at the 10, McNabb passes towards Portis at about the five. Even if the ball is on the mark, there is no way that Portis would have scored. Roydell Williams looked to be all by himself in the end zone, about 10 yards past Portis. Again, the Redskins score three point, not seven.

Third quarter

--Houston’s ball third and 15 at the Redskins 47. The Redskins rushed five when perhaps a more conservative approach would have served them better. The Texans cleared out the left side and Arian Foster slipped out of the backfield with a three-man escort. Lorenzo Alexander almost had him with an ankle tackle and Phillip Buchanon had a shot at him but after stumbling briefly, Foster was off to the races. It looked like Landry was pushed in the back but no flag was thrown. Fifty yards later Houston had first and goal at the six and they scored on the next play to get them back into it at 27-17

For the rest of the article, see: http://www.csnwashington.com/09/20/10/After-Further-Review-Woulda-Coulda-Shoul/landing.html?blockID=314651&feedID=272

[SkinsCrushCowboys]

Nice article....it actually seems worse reading it than it did when I was watching it....

[SKIN4WAHOOZ]

one day, you will be the all time leader in posts..great job guy!

[Going Commando]

The two long passes on manageable third downs late in the game were questionable play-calls. I can understand gambling with them if the Texans had been shutting down the short stuff. But we were killing them all game long with intermediate passes. We needed to run clock anyway, why swing for the fences there?

The end around was also an awful call. We didn't need to do anything fancy. Portis looked like he was picking up steam, we should have just kept running our standard rushing offense and let our guys grind out the clock. WTF were we thinking with an end around there?

Let's hope this was a learning experience for young Kyle.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

It is crazy that any one of a dozen or so plays could have ended this game for us. I got that sinking feeling after the Foster 50-yard catch. Had we held them there and gotten the ball back up by 17, game over!

[NewCliche21]

Whatever.

This article can be written from either team's perspective in any given game.

Masochism at its finest.

[glongest]

Good post. I would add that no one really is talking much about the running game because everyone was caught up in the great passing game McNabb was having but the lack of a running game is as much to blame as anything. We needed a running game late in the game to eat up clock and it did not happen. That was how this team was successful back in the day. Get a lead and feed to ball to Riggins. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the defense on the other side was ready to fold their tents. We have a long ways to go.

[ChampSkinsFanatic]

By Rich Tandler

Redskins Blogger

CSNwashington.com

--Houston’s ball third and 15 at the Redskins 47. The Redskins rushed five when perhaps a more conservative approach would have served them better.

For the rest of the article, see: http://www.csnwashington.com/09/20/10/After-Further-Review-Woulda-Coulda-Shoul/landing.html?blockID=314651&feedID=272

This is when I knew Haslett was an idiot

[mi6]

Thanks for sharing...

[illone]

This is when I knew Haslett was an idiot

Yea, Haslett isn't the best. Leaving Doughty on Johnson on 4th down sealed it for me.

[Travdaskin]

Yea, Haslett isn't the best. Leaving Doughty on Johnson on 4th down sealed it for me.

Doughty was ok but why was our 3rd corner (Buchanon) on him instead of Los or D-Hall?

[darrelgreenie]

Great article one of the best non-Rich Campbell/Greg Treppedi Redskins post game breakdowns i've read in awhile.

He hit on almost every issue i was thinking about in regard to specific plays.

I also question the a defensive gameplan that didn't involve more mixed coverages and at least occasional double team/bracket coverage on Andre Johnson.

Inability to read and stop the freakin bootleg/waggle!

Why isn't Chris Wilson on the field more?

[darrelgreenie]

The two long passes on manageable third downs late in the game were questionable play-calls.

Good post.

I see what you're saying in an effort to sustain a drive high percentage throws should be the focus if they're gonna pass at all.

But, its hard for me to consider the playcall themselves as questionable b/c vertical routes are often a part of most pass plays as a means of opening up underneath coverage.

Maybe they could have called a play that didn't have a vertical component but without the veritcal component defenses often squat on the intermediate/ quick rhythm 3 step drop stuff.

You can maybe question the decision to make a low percentage throw given the situation but that's more on the QB then the play.

Also, we don't know if there were other options open.

Those 2 vertical routes were open because the WRs beat man-to-man coverage.

Which makes me think that if you're going to cover the WRs man-to-man (and risk getting beat) that the defense is allocating reources to cover other parts of the field.

So there's a good chance that the intermediate routes, that had a higher chance of making a 1st down were covered.

A QB like McNabb is gonna trust his arm and give the WRs a chance to make a big play and both WRs were open.

We needed to run clock anyway, why swing for the fences there?

I agree with 100% here.

We needed to run the ball and run our 4 minute offense.

If we're gonna pass i would have liked to see a well designed screen pass.

BTW-LJ needs to be called on the carpet by somebody because that was the dumbest RB decision i've ever seen.

The end around was also an awful call. We didn't need to do anything fancy. Portis looked like he was picking up steam, we should have just kept running our standard rushing offense and let our guys grind out the clock. WTF were we thinking with an end around there?

Meh? I feel weird second guessing playcalling we don't know what Kyle was looking at the caused him to call the reverse.

If there is a play call that puzzled me was the screen pass on 3rd down.

Personally i feel like a WR screen should never be called on 3rd down.

It gives the QB no options.

Let's hope this was a learning experience for young Kyle.

I hope Mike S. reminds Kyle about his love of the running game.

You know i have a silly theory about playcallers, McNabb and the running game.

I think coaches that are predisposed to pass can easily become so seduced by with McNabb superior ability to throw the football that become soo enthralled that they neglect the run game?

[Oldfan]

You know i have a silly theory about playcallers, McNabb and the running game.

I think coaches that are predisposed to pass can easily become so seduced by with McNabb superior ability to throw the football that become soo enthralled that they neglect the run game?

You're right, that is a silly theory since Donovan blows hot and cold in his ability to throw a football.

Andy Reid threw more than most coaches because Westbrook was not as adept at running inside as he was as a receiver on screens and flares.

Mike Shanahan has passed 65% of the time because his running game currently stinks.

[darrelgreenie]

You're right, that is a silly theory since Donovan blows hot and cold in his ability to throw a football.

Andy Reid threw more than most coaches because Westbrook was not as adept at running inside as he was as a receiver on screens and flares.

Mike Shanahan has passed 65% of the time because his running game currently stinks.

One quible you probably menat to say: you think Reid threw a lot because of Westbrook being a better receiver then runner.

Anyway no comments about anything else?

[Going Commando]

Great article one of the best non-Rich Campbell/Greg Treppedi Redskins post game breakdowns i've read in awhile.

He hit on almost every issue i was thinking about in regard to specific plays.

I also question the a defensive gameplan that didn't involve more mixed coverages and at least occasional double team/bracket coverage on Andre Johnson.

Inability to read and stop the freakin bootleg/waggle!

Why isn't Chris Wilson on the field more?

I was jumping out of my chair questioning this as it happened. We know they are going to do this all day, we've got the same offense!! We sold out to stop the run and Arian Foster isn't even that good a running back! 230 yard game? Timmy Smith had a 200 yard game running through holes like Foster had in week one.

I agree Chris Wilson should see the field more, but Lorenzo is too good for him to take snaps from and Carter still probably brings more in pass rush than Wilson does. Haslett would probably need to take some snaps from Orakpo to get Wilson more involved.

My biggest complaint about PT though is the fact that Devin Thomas isn't getting any snaps at WR. Galloway earned his keep Sunday, but Armstrong and Roydell Williams don't seem like anything special. We owe it to ourselves to see what Thomas can do. He's one of our fastest and strongest players on the roster and could be a real weapon with some opportunity. Hell, let him be the one to run end arounds and screens. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him take snaps at HB either. I bet he'd be better than Larry Johnson.

[Oldfan]

One quible you probably menat to say: you think Reid threw a lot because of Westbrook being a better receiver then runner.

I don't use qualifiers when I state the obvious.

Anyway no comments about anything else?

Nope.

[darrelgreenie]

I agree Chris Wilson should see the field more, but Lorenzo is too good for him to take snaps from and Carter still probably brings more in pass rush than Wilson does. Haslett would probably need to take some snaps from Orakpo to get Wilson more involved.

I figure that Wilson brings more athletic ability and pass rush ability to the table the Lorenzo but Wilson can probably only be the LOLB on passing downs because he's not stout enough against the run.

My biggest complaint about PT though is the fact that Devin Thomas isn't getting any snaps at WR. Galloway earned his keep Sunday, but Armstrong and Roydell Williams don't seem like anything special. We owe it to ourselves to see what Thomas can do. He's one of our fastest and strongest players on the roster and could be a real weapon with some opportunity. Hell, let him be the one to run end arounds and screens. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him take snaps at HB either. I bet he'd be better than Larry Johnson.

I thought the WRs played well; maybe you put in Devin Thomas in on simple catch and run plays like the screen passes? But until he earns the coaches trust he's not gonna be out there especially since they don't need him to stretch the field b/c Joey and Armstrong can both fly. Roydell is a more proven and likely more consistent option too.

I really like the concept of getting Devin Thomas into the backfied on passing downs.

I remember Al Saunder using ARE a few times out of the backfield and the Vikings flirt with the concept with Percy Harvin.

I don't use qualifiers when I state the obvious

Dude you're too funny.

Right, right like how the Texans offense is nothing like Mike Shanahan's offense and that Schaub can't execute the movement passes that are part of the offense?

Andy Reid probably passes a lot b/c he likes to pass a lot; having Westbrook didn't cause him to be pass happy you just posited a similiar theory as mine sans qualifiers.

[KingGibbs]

I guess I'm one of the few people that think Doughty had good coverage on Johnson. That ball was thrown where Johnson and only Johnson could've caught it because of his height and oven mitts for hands. A couple of inches lower and Reed breaks up the play IMO. I can't think of too many DB's that would've prevented that play.

[wit33]

It is crazy that any one of a dozen or so plays could have ended this game for us. I got that sinking feeling after the Foster 50-yard catch. Had we held them there and gotten the ball back up by 17, game over!

Agree 100%. It felt like them calling that play was them giving up in a way.

[abdcskins]

I've been lamenting this loss since Sunday. Obviously a huge momentum swing early in the season. These three plays stand out:

Blocked field goal

Giving up a prayer of a throw to Andre Johnson. To Schaub's credit he made a good throw to a great WR. But the coverage was bad. Buchanon why come off Johnson?

Not running the ball when we had 1st and 10 on their 38 in OT, particularly on 3rd and 7. A 52-yarder is not guaranteed, you gotta get in better position.

[Oldfan]

Dude you're too funny. Right, right like how the Texans offense is nothing like Mike Shanahan's offense and that Schaub can't execute the movement passes that are part of the offense?

You are twisting my words on both positions, neither of which have anything to do with this discussion.

Andy Reid probably passes a lot b/c he likes to pass a lot; having Westbrook didn't cause him to be pass happy you just posited a similiar theory as mine sans qualifiers.

So, your position is that Andy Reid was just stupidly "pass happy" and it isn't obvious to you that even a half-decent NFL coach would use Westbrook more as a receiver than as a typical RB who could pound the rock between the tackles?

[darrelgreenie]

You are twisting my words on both positions, neither of which have anything to do with this discussion.

It was a different discussion, but its just a reminder that you aren't as right as you think you are.

So, your position is that Andy Reid was just stupidly "pass happy" and it isn't obvious to you that even a half-decent NFL coach would use Westbrook more as a receiver than as a typical RB who could pound the rock between the tackles?

C'mon you know better then 2 use strawman arguments you know exactly what i said so instead of putting words in my mouth just quote me.

And you on the other hand are attempting to change the discussion.

Remeber you said this:

Andy Reid threw more than most coaches because Westbrook was not as adept at running inside as he was as a receiver on screens and flares.

My point is simple you don't have any more insight as why Andy Reid passes a lot then anybody else.

While your theory is plausible its equally as plausible that Andy Reid just likes to pass the ball; plenty of coaches are the same way.

[Oldfan]

My point is simple you don't have any more insight as why Andy Reid passes a lot then anybody else. While your theory is plausible its equally as plausible that Andy Reid just likes to pass the ball; plenty of coaches are the same way.

It isn't a matter of "insight." My explanation gives Reid an obvious and perfectly logical reason. Yours doesn't.

[darrelgreenie]

It isn't a matter of "insight." My explanation gives Reid an obvious and perfectly logical reason. Yours doesn't.

I don't see how thinking Andy Reid passes a lot because of Westbrook is more logical then Reid passes a lot because of McNabb or because Reid just likes the pasing game more then the running game.

Its just annoying to constantly see you post your opinions without qualifers but whatever cheers for beers.