After starting the season 3-6, the Skins went on an improbable seven game win streak to get themselves in the playoffs. It took all of those seven games to secure the berth. It was an exciting day yesterday as several teams were vying for the last couple of spots and seedings. The day started with the Giants demolishing the Iggles and needing the Pears, Vikings, and Cowboys to lose to get in the playoffs. The Pears then squeezed out a victory against the Lions to secure a spot but they needed the Vikings to lose. Also, with the Pears win, it meant the Redskins needed a win to clinch a playoff spot. The Viqueens didn't do the Pears any favors as they eked out a victory against the Puckers behind the hard running of A. Peterson. So the Pears were in the playoffs for about 3 hours but because of the Queens win, they got in bouncing out the Pears.
Then it all came down to the Redskins/Cowboys game as the winner would win the East and secure the final playoff spot.
Great game. It was basically the Alfred Morris show as the guy ran for 200 yards and three TDs. The guy was a beast. Give credit to the O line helping Morris get that yardage. Morris is just a good kid that runs hard and has been able to thrive in Shanny's zone blocking scheme. By now we all know the kid is a 6th round draft pick out of FL Atlantic and played on a pretty sucky college team. Great find by Shanny but Morris just looks like an average guy on the street. In racking up his 200 yards, Morris eclipsed 1,600 yards for the season and broke CP's single season rushing record for a Redskin. Morris was really the story of this game.
RG3 was solid. He only threw 18 times and completed 9 passes for 100 yards but where he really contributed was in the run game as he did pick up nice yards and a TD on QB keepers. It was clear that his knee is still bothering him. I imagine running in a straight line isn't too bad for him but cutting and stopping has to aggravate his knee. Still, much like the Iggles last week, the Cowboys didn't expect much running from RG3. That combined with how effective Morris was led to some openings for RG3 on the keepers.
The other big story line was the play of the defense. We blitzed early and often and the blitzes came from different places and Romo was uncomfortable as he threw three INTs with the last one to Rob Jackson in the flat being a dagger. Classic Romo choking in big games. Still, Haslett and the defense deserve a lot of credit for their play. Haslett trusted D. Hall and Josh Wilson to play a lot of man to man and for the most part they played really well. London Fletcher again had a big game leading the defense with 11 tackles and two sacks.
Just an overall good game in the biggest game this team has played for in years. The season has been incredibly successful. What's clear is that we have a good young core of players that are not only talented but have great character. There aren't the distractions from years past and these guys genuinely seem to be pulling for one another. Give Shanny credit for overhauling the roster and bringing in the right guys. It's a team that should only get better in the next few years. It's what I thought we were at the beginning of the season.
Hosting the Seacocks next in what should be a very tough game.
HTTR!!!
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