HUGE win for the Skins. One of the best games we've had in a while. What I really like to see is the fight in this team and how we very much seem to be playing like a team with contributions coming from a number of players and everyone working together. This is what I expected to see from the beginning of the season. Here are my grades:
1. Offense: B+ The first quarter they were fantastic with a good mix of run and pass. Morris had himself another great game averaging over 5 yards a carry and rushing for more than 120 yards. RG3 was good as usual. I know many people want to come down on the O line but they have been decent for most of the year. They have really picked up the zone blocking scheme and they deserve a lot of credit for us having the #1 rushing offense in the league. The ball was spread throughout in the passing game with Garcon, Hankerson, Morgan, and Moss all getting at least three catches. However, the second half they were much more pedestrian. Part of that is our field position was poor for most of the second half but still we were stymied until the final drive started by RG3 but finished by Cousins. RG3 obviously was hurt but give him tremendous credit for coming back into the game and getting us down deep into Ravens territory. Then give Cousins a lot of credit for coming in cold in a pressure situation and not only finding Garcon for a TD but then running in the two point conversion. The thing is I knew he was going to run that in. It's a play designed for RG3 and we haven't used it for several weeks now and I don't think many people thought Cousins would be able to execute it but it was wide open for him.
Defense: B+ Just like last week, it was a tale of two halves. The first half they weren't very good. The bigger issue I had in the first half was just like last week, our run defense wasn't very good. Again, like last week, in the second half we started sending more pressure and Flacco took a couple of hits with Rob Jackson making another key play with his hitting Flacco and forcing the fumble. Flacco certainly didn't seem like the QB he was in the first half. He seemed rattled and continued his inconsistent play from all year. Defense only allowed one TD in the second half. Not sure why we don't disguise our pressure in every game. We seem to have success with that. I have said all year that Haslett either sends the house or no one. I don't think either one is effective. He gets paid big money to be innovative and recognize the talent on the team and play to their strengths by putting them in the best positions to be successful. Seems to me that we have to do this by disguising pressure. He's done that in the second half of the last two games so we'll see if he starts doing that more.
3. Special teams: B+ Forbath has been great since he got here. He has yet to miss a FG. He made 48 and 49 yard FGs and obviously kicked the game winning FG. Richard Crawford (another rookie) did a good job on punt returns obviously getting the big one in OT to set up the game winning kick. The only issue I had with this group is Forbath cannot kickoff. He either needs to strengthen his leg or we need to get someone in here to kickoff (hate to waste a roster spot on that) but he's not getting the job done there. We gave the Ravens good field position on a number of kickoffs.
The other big story out of this game was the injury to RG3. It was kind of a freaky play where he scrambled and was getting tackled and his legs were getting whipped around and from the opposite direction Ngata was coming at him and hit him in the knee. The result was RG3's knee bending awkwardly. Honestly, when I saw the instant replay I felt like he was done for the year. Miraculously, it was determined that he only suffered a sprain and there is no ligament damage. He said that he will play next week but I think that is going to be tough and I would rather have him sit and get healthy than possibly aggravate the injury. We play Cleveland next week who has been improving themselves so it won't be an easy game. The interesting thing is if Cousins has to play, how will the offense adapt to him as he clearly can't run the pistol the way RG3 does as he isn't the same threat running the ball. Also, while I like Cousins, he really stares down receivers and I can see him throwing 1 or 2 INTs.
In the end, I am thankful for RG3's health. I'm glad we won an exciting game and did so with a true team effort and guys not quitting. All the things I have been saying since preseason are coming to light and I feel good about the direction of the team. With that, I'm glad we are playing relevant games in December. I never expected playoffs this year (of course I am hopeful) but I am glad that we are fighting hard and we have good young guys that we can build around. What ever happens in the final three weeks, I am satisfied with the season as I think we are really building momentum, camaraderie, and belief as we go into next season and again, I have maintained this position, that is when the pressure is on. Next year is when we can't just get to the playoffs but we have to make some noise when we get there.
All that said, I am still hopeful for playoffs this season and honestly it's not how you start the season but how you finish and it's good to see us get hot. There really doesn't seem like a front runner in the NFC so should we get to the playoffs anything is possible.
HTTR!!!
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