What Will A Win Mean? What Will A Loss Mean?

For the entire week I've been stewing about this upcoming contest versus the Dallas Cowboys and what it could mean if we win and what it could mean if we lose. I have to be honest with you, there is a part of me that just wants to brace for a loss. That way I can have a somewhat normal Monday and the hate threads just won't bother me so much. Then there's another part of me that expects one helluva game from the Skins. I mean, I could really see Jason Campbell having his best game statistically for some reason. I can envision him running the no-huddle offense on the opening drive and marching 73 yards down the field to put his team up by seven early on. I could see Portis on the ensuing drive running for another 25-30 yards to help the team secure a field goal: Skins -10/ Boys -zip. But before you label this as another Kool-Aid thread, hear me out. Then feel free to run your white flag up the pole.

If The Skins Lose:

1. Let's just nip this in the bud right now, people will be calling for Gibbs head no matter how or for what reason or by what amount of points the Skins lose by; a fresh round of criticism will abound. And I personally wonder, if it does happen, how will Gibbs continue to respond and rally the troops at 5-5. Furthermore, will the fan base that Gibbs has endeared to himself over the years begin to slip away and become indifferent.

2. It still won't be the end of the world. Conventional wisdom had us splitting with Dallas anyway. And since we play the Cowboys and the Giants again, a loss will not disqualify us for the playoffs. So be warned, even if we lose, our playoff hopes aren't completely dashed. Ten and six could still get us in. Hell, 9-7 might get us in!

3. You have to wonder what affect this may have on the team's psyche. We're past the half-way point of the season now, and three losses out of the last four games just doesn't sit well, I don't care who you are. And although it's very uncharacteristic of this team, fingers may start to get pointed.

4. All of a sudden that Philly game and Sean Taylor's absence becomes even more magnified.. Wouldn't it be something if Philly wins, we lose..and, yeah you get the picture. The NFC East gets really interesting and really tight from that point on. This team just refuses to let you catch your wind, huh?

5. This is Gregg Williams chance to show his mojo - put up or shut up. More than Joe Gibbs, it's Williams' reputation that is really on the line here. No, not entirely on this game, but it's this type of situation where his genius or lack thereof will come to the surface. No matter what, Joe Gibbs will still ride off into the sunset with his three Super Bowl rings when it's all said and done. Gregg Williams, on the other hand, is still being interviewed by management and the rest of the league. A loss, and more specifically a defensive thrashing, could highlight Williams' inability to compensate for Sean Taylor's absence. Let's be real for a second, big people show up in big games. I fully understand that Dallas has weapons and we're limping into this one, but that's why they play the game. If Williams' defense can only thrive when his stars are present, that will no doubt be an asterisk on his resume.

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If The Skins Win:

1. Gibbs holds off the hounds for another week. Nothing more, nothing less.

2. Statistically we could speculate all day long of how good a game Jason Campbell will have, but if can he take this team down to Dallas with our backs against the wall, and come out victorious, he'll emerge as the clear leader of the team. Let me say this, even it's a defensive battle and Dallas makes some mistakes, I think somehow, it will be Campbell's leadership that people will ultimately point to that made the difference. This game might not be his coming out party, but it might be his coming out party in the locker room.

3. We'll still be under the radar just enough to make people take notice, but not enough for them to believe and fire up the bandwagon. That being said, don't look for anyone to write flattering columns Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or whenever. The jury will still be out on this team. People will still doubt Campbell, they'll still doubt Portis, and they'll definitely doubt Joe Gibbs. Let's face it, until we actually put together a winning streak and solidify a playoff berth, the bashing will continue in all likelihood. So don't look for any love, okay?

4. Huge confidence booster for the team. This team will know they can compete and, more importantly, win on the road. Nothing affirms a team like a good win over a very good team in their home stadium. A win could also carry us the rest of the way. Ten and six looks very doable all of a sudden.

5. FedEx will be going nuts when Dallas comes to town for the last game of the season. I can guarantee you that it will feel more like Dallas week that time around. Just too much doom and gloom this week. Come on Skins, chins up!

[quote=12thMan;378919]
If The Skins Lose:

1. Furthermore, will the fan base that Gibbs has endeared to himself over the years begin to slip away and become indifferent. [quote]

12thMan, I am almost indifferent now. This team makes the same mistakes each week with penalties at the wrong time, clock management issues, timeout issues, indecisiveness, lack of an attacking attitude. I expect much of the same this weekend, but I will be watching. I hate to say this, but I expect another Skins / Pats result, where the Skins are never really in the game.

If The Skins Lose:

1. Let's just nip this in the bud right now, people will be calling for Gibbs head no matter how or for what reason or by what amount of points the Skins lose by; a fresh round of criticism will abound. And I personally wonder, if it does happen, how will Gibbs continue to respond and rally the troops at 5-5. Furthermore, will the fan base that Gibbs has endeared to himself over the years begin to slip away and become indifferent.

If people call for Gibbs' head because he loses to this Dallas team, then they have a warped sense of expectation for this year's Redskins. Dallas is way better given our injury status.


2. It still won't be the end of the world. Conventional wisdom had us splitting with Dallas anyway. And since we play the Cowboys and the Giants again, a loss will not disqualify us for the playoffs. So be warned, even if we lose, our playoff hopes aren't completely dashed. Ten and six could still get us in. Hell, 9-7 might get us in!

True. To really assess our playoff chances, we'll need to see if teams like NYG, New Orleans, Philly, and Detroit lose this weekend.


3. You have to wonder what affect this may have on the team's psyche. We're past the half-way point of the season now, and three losses out of the last four games just doesn't sit well, I don't care who you are. And although it's very uncharacteristic of this team, fingers may start to get pointed.

Doubtful. This team is a high-character group if nothing else.


4. All of a sudden that Philly game and Sean Taylor's absence becomes even more amplified.. Wouldn't it be something if Philly wins, we lose..and, yeah you get the picture. The NFC East gets really interesting and really tight from that point on. This team just refuses to let you catch your wind, huh?

I think Philly already has a better chance at making the playoffs than we do, given our injury problems.


5. This is Gregg Williams chance to show his mojo - put up or shut up. More than Joe Gibbs, it's Williams' reputation that is really on the line here. No, not entirely on this game, but it's this type of situation where his genius or lack thereof will come to the surface. No matter what, Joe Gibbs will still ride off into the sunset with his three Super Bowl rings when it's all said and done. Gregg Williams, on the other hand, is still being interviewed by management and the rest of the league. A loss, and more specifically a defensive thrashing, could highlight Williams' inability to compensate for Sean Taylor's absence. Let's be real for a second, big people show up in big games. I fully understand that Dallas has weapons and we're limping into this one, but that's why they play the game. If Williams' defense can only thrive when his stars are present, that will no doubt be an asterisk on his resume.

I can't see blaming GW when he runs out of depth. After all, Gibbs is the one who authorized the trading of draft picks for Lloyd and Duckett. Can't blame Williams for not being able to cover for absent stars, not unless somebody gives him adequate depth with which to work.

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If The Skins Win:


1. Gibbs holds off the hounds for another week. Nothing more, nothing less.

I think a win over this team, in Dallas, with Sean Taylor out, would be one of Gibbs' finest achievements. If the fan base can't recognize that, we'd be a bunch of ignorant fans. Which we're not.


2. Statistically we could speculate all day long of how good a game Jason Campbell will have, but if can he take this team down to Dallas with our backs against the wall, and come out victorious, he'll emerge as the clear leader of the team. Let me say this, even it's a defensive battle and Dallas makes some mistakes, I think somehow, it will be Campbell's leadership that people will ultimately point to that made the difference. This game might not be his coming out party, but it might be his coming out party in the locker room.

I think the team already sees him as the leader. But I agree, if we win this game (humongous IF), it will be because of Jason Campbell.


3. We'll still be under the radar just enough to make people take notice, but not enough for them to believe and fire up the bandwagon. That being said, don't look for anyone to write flattering columns Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or whenever. The jury will still be out on this team. People will still doubt Campbell, they'll still doubt Portis, and they'll definitely doubt Joe Gibbs. Let's face it, until we actually put together a winning streak and solidify a playoff berth, the bashing will continue in all likelihood. So don't look for any love, okay?

I don't think the media or "the radar" has jack squat to do with how teams prepare week in and week out. Nobody ever looks beyond a team in the playoff hunt. We'll always be taken seriously.


4. Huge confidence booster for the team. This team will know they can compete and, more importantly, win on the road. Nothing affirms a team like a good win over a very good team in their home stadium. A win could also carry us the rest of the way. Ten and six looks very doable all of a sudden.

Agreed on the confidence boost. The team needs it badly.


5. FedEx will be going nuts when Dallas comes to town for the last game of the season. I can guarantee you that it will feel more like Dallas week that time around. Just too much doom and gloom this week. Come on Skins, chins up!

The stadium will be going nuts... unless we're mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by then.

If we lose we lose, with the # of key injuries that we have I wouldn't surprised if we lose against the Cowboys who are fairly healthy in all key positions. There are still a number of key games coming up TB, NY, MIN, CHI, DALLAS again at home, by then hopefully we will have some key players back that will help, granted we don't lose anymore players in the process. But you never know, that's why they play the games, I'm always hoping we win especially against a team that the Redskins hate dearly.

Schneed, you're right GWilliams isn't responsible for depth and injuries. You're dead on, he has no control over that, but people are watching and taking note. And most teams don't have three first round picks playing on their squad either, not to mention a Sean Taylor. So the bottom line, in my opinion, is that Williams will ultimately be judged on what talent he lined up and what talent he didn't line up.

The NFL judges you on results, not depth and injuries; how well did he do with the players under his watch.

Schneed, you're right GWilliams isn't responsible for depth and injuries. You're dead on, he has no control over that, but people are watching and taking note. And most teams don't have three first round picks playing on their squad either, not to mention a Sean Taylor. So the bottom line, in my opinion, is that Williams will ultimately be judged on what talent he lined up and what talent he didn't line up.

The NFL judges you on results, not depth and injuries; how well did he do with the players under his watch.

I don't think that's true. I think the MEDIA, in their oversimplified world, judges you solely on results. I think football people would understand if Williams' D gets destroyed by Romo and TO with Taylor hurt.

I don't think Gregg Williams' reputation has dropped one iota amongst GMs around the league. You still hear him referred to as a genius just as much as he ever was.

Our coaching is fantastic, with the only exception being Gibbs' clock management and overly conservative nature later in games. Our problem is with depth, and it has now been exposed by this rash of injuries.

The devil is in the details.

Schneed, you're right GWilliams isn't responsible for depth and injuries. You're dead on, he has no control over that, but people are watching and taking note. And most teams don't have three first round picks playing on their squad either, not to mention a Sean Taylor. So the bottom line, in my opinion, is that Williams will ultimately be judged on what talent he lined up and what talent he didn't line up.

The NFL judges you on results, not depth and injuries; how well did he do with the players under his watch.

We also need to stop talking about the number of first round picks we have in our secondary, as if that means something. That's a cute little soundbyte that the TV announcers love to throw out there. The question is can the guys play? Doesn't matter what round they were drafted in.

Yes, our starting secondary is boss. I love them. But the depth in our secondary is not boss. And I don't love them.

I don't think that's true. I think the MEDIA, in their oversimplified world, judges you solely on results. I think football people would understand if Williams' D gets destroyed by Romo and TO with Taylor hurt.

I don't think Gregg Williams' reputation has dropped one iota amongst GMs around the league. You still hear him referred to as a genius just as much as he ever was.

Our coaching is fantastic, with the only exception being Gibbs' clock management and overly conservative nature later in games. Our problem is with depth, and it has now been exposed by this rash of injuries.

The devil is in the details.

Hmm...we'll see about that. Don't get me wrong, someone will hire him, but I beg to differ about his stock not dropping since coming here because I feel it has. It's the same signature plays or runs that has been the death knell for this team late in the game. Is he a good defensive cooridnator, yes.

Let's see what he can cook up this Sunday.

We also need to stop talking about the number of first round picks we have in our secondary, as if that means something. That's a cute little soundbyte that the TV announcers love to throw out there. The question is can the guys play? Doesn't matter what round they were drafted in.

Yes, our starting secondary is boss. I love them. But the depth in our secondary is not boss. And I don't love them.

I agree with you there actually. The only reason I threw it out there is I'm hoping that SS can get me job at ESPN. Saying three first round picks sounds so media like.

If we win: means I was right
If we lose: Most here were wrong