How can we pull it off?

I have no expectations to see the Skins win next weekend. But I do expect to see New England in a dogfight that they haven't yet seen this year.

I've already put in a bet with someone that we'll stay within 20 points.

a 20 point spread?!?! how brave!

NE's D isn't what it once was. I think they can be had if you run it right at them. I think we have the secondary to play with the patriots, hold them to 21 or 28 points. It will depend on how Maroney is feeling. If he's 100% then I think we're going to have a rough time focusing on the pass. My concern is the offense. Good news is we're due for a big time game from Santana and Portis.

The Key Matchups Will Be:

Sean Taylor on Randy Moss

Jason Campbell vs NE Secondary

Santana Moss vs Santana Moss's Hands

Just as it was this week and has been the whole season, the key matchup will be our O-line v their D-line...if we can't establish some sort of run game or provide pass protection we have no chance.
my prediction will be that we will give them a run for 3 quarters, but end up losing by in a closer game than the final score demonstrates (12)

Bench Campbell and start Brunell.

Bench Campbell and start Brunell.

http://www.redskinswarpath.com/367481-post408.html

The Redskins need time-consuming drives that payoff with TDs. If you can hold the ball for 7 or 8 minutes on a drive and then pay that off with 7 points, it's a great equalizer. It is the only way to keep the game in the 20s. If you allow the Patriots to have 11 or 12 posessions, they are going to score 6 to 8 touchdowns. The problem, of course, is that the Redskins can't run the ball very well right now, and Bellichek will have an easy time forcing mistakes out of Campbell with all his defensive schemes. The other problem is that the Patriots have (almost) no history of making mistakes or turning the ball over.

The last time we played them, in 2003, Brady threw (I think) 3 picks and Kevin Faulk fumbled. I think Champ was responsible for several of those and I think that might be the last time the Patriots did such a thing. They also had about 7 injured starters and the game was here at Fedex. We squeaked out a victory. So, we need to play perfect which doesn't seem like a rational expectation based on yesterday and we need them to make some mistakes which doesn't seem like a rational expectation based on the last 5 to 6 years. I would say the Patriots should be 12 or 14 point favorites, at least.

People always say we need this person or that person to step up. This week we need, to borrow a phrase, "every swinging soul" we've got to step up and play their best game ever. And a driving rainstorm of biblical proportions wouldn't hurt either. Or, maybe some serious fog like that Eagles playoff game in 1988.

The Redskins need time-consuming drives that payoff with TDs. If you can hold the ball for 7 or 8 minutes on a drive and then pay that off with 7 points, it's a great equalizer. It is the only way to keep the game in the 20s. If you allow the Patriots to have 11 or 12 posessions, they are going to score 6 to 8 touchdowns. The problem, of course, is that the Redskins can't run the ball very well right now, and Bellichek will have an easy time forcing mistakes out of Campbell with all his defensive schemes. The other problem is that the Patriots have (almost) no history of making mistakes or turning the ball over.

The last time we played them, in 2003, Brady threw (I think) 3 picks and Kevin Faulk fumbled. I think Champ was responsible for several of those and I think that might be the last time the Patriots did such a thing. They also had about 7 injured starters and the game was here at Fedex. We squeaked out a victory. So, we need to play perfect which doesn't seem like a rational expectation based on yesterday and we need them to make some mistakes which doesn't seem like a rational expectation based on the last 5 to 6 years. I would say the Patriots should be 12 or 14 point favorites, at least.

People always say we need this person or that person to step up. This week we need, to borrow a phrase, "every swinging soul" we've got to step up and play their best game ever. And a driving rainstorm of biblical proportions wouldn't hurt either. Or, maybe some serious fog like that Eagles playoff game in 1988.

That first line is the key. Having time consuming drives is not enough, they have to end in the endzone. Field goals won't cut it.

Bench Campbell and start Brunell.

Can we play this game on a curve?

Actually I heard somone this a.m. talking about the game. They suggested we treat is as the last pre-season game, and rest the entire first unit. We would lose anyway, and the team would be fresh for the rest of the season with no NEW injuries.

I think we would be most successful if we just didn't show up at the stadium :).

But honestly, we need to pressure Brady to even have a chance. I think if we get Marcus Washington back our chances of beating the Patriots greatly go up. You know I hate to say this but we don't stand much of a chance, but neither does the rest of the NFL. The Patriots look like they are the best team assembled since the salary cap was implemented.


I don't think people remember how good the broncos the second time around were. I think they definitely had a better defense and john elway was playing better than brady (not statistically, but from a game winning standpoint).

We ought to let Saunders run every circus play he has against New England, if for no other reason than just to get some real game practice with them. That means ARE throwing for a TD, direct snap to Portis, etc.

And then we hope the defense can make something happen.

Oh, and book it right now. This New England team is not as good as they look. They've played a lot of cupcake teams, and I think Indy is going to thump them good.

People are just caught up in the cult of personality on that team. Between Mr. GQ / Supermodel Impregnator Brady, Ol' Grumpy Sweats Belichick, and Randy "Reformed" Moss, there are more media magnets than you can shake a stick at, and we haven't even gotten to the defense.

Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl Champs are inexplicably "under the radar".