Winable games

[Hog1]

There has been much written about the Skins being done for this year. That may be true, but consider.........of the games we have lost, only the Giant game, have we been out of. ALL the losses have been winable and IN REACH when we lost. While not pretty at times, we "basically" generated enough offense and defense to win. We have made sloppy mistakes throughout these games to lose. NOBODY really BEAT us! We beat us. It is not a matter of lack of talent (although it would be nice to reinforce a few area's) that will keep us out of the playoffs. If we can clean up the mistakes we are GIVING to the bad guys, we have a legitimate shot to succeed!

all of that is true, but if the skins lose against the chargers i dont see how we are going to jump over so many other teams in the standings. so far we are 0-3 against the afc west. this game sunday is huge for both teams, the chargers are still fighting for the playoffs also. the defense has to come up big in this game

[Gmanc711]

While thats true, thats really how its been for years. The Redskins are in my eyes, known for not being able to close out games, and really not knowing how to win games. I think we've taken some steps this year in doing that, but were still not great at it. I expect that we will be right there in the fourth quarter in every game down the stretch this season, the question is weather we have learned how to win these or not. Even as a fan your a little pessamistic going into the fourth quarter, especially after we had an early lead. Just another "here we go again " type deal.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

While thats true, thats really how its been for years. The Redskins are in my eyes, known for not being able to close out games, and really not knowing how to win games. I think we've taken some steps this year in doing that, but were still not great at it. I expect that we will be right there in the fourth quarter in every game down the stretch this season, the question is weather we have learned how to win these or not. Even as a fan your a little pessamistic going into the fourth quarter, especially after we had an early lead. Just another "here we go again " type deal.

Well...................I can't disagree with you there! Many times I get ........THAT ...........special feeling in my gut when I wonder "can they do it" ? To many times, they don't.
I guess my point is, were not out of anything unless they decide to be. This weekend should resaonably determine if we have a future this season or not.

[Paintrain]

My main frustration with the Redskins in recent years and this one as well is a lack of a killer instinct. I look at the last 2 real dynasties in the NFL, the '90s Cowboys and the Patriots (until injuries this season). They did two things that great teams do, they crush (not just beat) the teams they should beat and their playmakers made big plays in big spots in the games that they are playing a team or near their level. They don't play to the level of their competition, they don't kill themselves with stupid penalties and turnovers, they go for the jugular. I was re-watching the Bucs game the other night and the 3rd and 2 call with 2:33 in the 4th quarter was just a bad play call. That's a spot where you'd see Aikman go to Novacek or Brady go to Troy Brown for the first down to run out the clock for the win. Playing not to lose is the equivalent of the prevent defense. Smart+fundamentally sound aggressive football=winning football. Until that's who we become 8-8 is the best we can hope for.

[Bozzy]

End the losing streak to AFC teams and beat the bolts!

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

While thats true, thats really how its been for years. The Redskins are in my eyes, known for not being able to close out games, and really not knowing how to win games. I think we've taken some steps this year in doing that, but were still not great at it. I expect that we will be right there in the fourth quarter in every game down the stretch this season, the question is weather we have learned how to win these or not. Even as a fan your a little pessamistic going into the fourth quarter, especially after we had an early lead. Just another "here we go again " type deal.

The difference is in the past we've haven't had the quality coaching staff like we have now. I realize that remains to be proven for some folk, but if there is any coaching staff that can make us still believe we have a chance in this season, it's this one.

[dmek25]

hang in there youngster,this is the week that the skins reverse the trend.if there is one thing that use to ring true about our"new" old coaching staff is the awesome halftime adjustments they made.this is the week we start our big playoff push

[Daseal]

I simply can't buy the argument that because the skins keep it close that we deserve something. Even when Spurrier was here we were losing close games. Regardless, a loss is a loss and a win is a win. Until our team finds that killer instinct and puts points up while we're NOT behind, we'll continue to lose games that we should win.

[railcon56]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I simply can't buy the argument that because the skins keep it close that we deserve something. Even when Spurrier was here we were losing close games. Regardless, a loss is a loss and a win is a win. Until our team finds that killer instinct and puts points up while we're NOT behind, we'll continue to lose games that we should win.

exactly

[SUNRA]

I can just add to the discussion a point that has continued to plague this team that wasn't an issue before. Our secondary. What has happened to Walt Harris's defensive skills that he desplayed against Dallas in week 2? He has not played the ball and continues to look at the receiver catch the ball. This has been his downfall for the last four games. If he's hurt, replace him with Rodgers and play the WR's close and not give them so much cushion on third down especially. This has been the secondarys downfall in all of our losses.

[EternalEnigma21]

I didn't get to see any of the Raiders game, but I agree from what I've seen that the secondary is a sore spot... however I think the secondary (minus poor tackling) giving up plays is a direct result of not being able to pressure with the front four.

I'm not going to be upset if we don't make the playoffs, but I do expect us to go at least .500 this year if we want to look at the year as any kind of improvement (and thats if the coaching staff stays together during the offseason) I would imagine that the Vikings (depending on their season) are going to come after GW pretty hard this coming year.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by SUNRA

I can just add to the discussion a point that has continued to plague this team that wasn't an issue before. Our secondary. What has happened to Walt Harris's defensive skills that he desplayed against Dallas in week 2? He has not played the ball and continues to look at the receiver catch the ball. This has been his downfall for the last four games. If he's hurt, replace him with Rodgers and play the WR's close and not give them so much cushion on third down especially. This has been the secondarys downfall in all of our losses.

I see your point, but I'm going to have to place our defensive woes on our d-line and not on our secondary. You yourself once said that games are won and lost in the trenches. Do you think our defense is winning games in the trenches? I sure don't.

Our secondary can't cover for more than 4-5 seconds and no secondary should be asked to do that. We flat out can't get pressure on opposing quarterbacks and when we leave corners on islands and we don't get pressure, we get disastrous results.

Walt Harris is better player than people give him credit for. He had two really bad games (against the Giants and Bucs) where he was missing tackles and was poor in coverage. But, overall, he's a solid nickelback.