How can we pull it off?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

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.