The past three weeks have been anything but pretty for the Redskins. The results have brought more questions than answers regarding three consecutive performances where the team has played down to the level of competition. The Redskins defeated the Lions 25-17 in another close game heading into the 4th quarter.
The Redskins dominated the Lions in offensive production and time of possesion but sqaundered opportunities and turnovers contributed to the close score. The team has struggled in the red zone. Too often the team has settled for field goal attemps or turned the ball over.
It was another day at the office for Portis and Moss who contributed 126 yards rushing and 140 yards receiving. Moss provided some breathing room with an 80 punt return for a touchdown. Three big plays stood out to winning today's game which included Santanna's two big plays one for a receiving td and his punt return. The other big play was Fletcher big hit on the Lions fourth down late in the game, which sealed the victory.
Although the Skins have become more comfortable in the running game and short passing game, the last few weeks have shown great weaknesses in the intermediate and any attempt in the deep passing game. Campbell took the ball in the second half with no one else in the back field. The result was chaos as a jail break occured and another bad play for the Skins. For Campbell and the offense, someone else must step up as a threat opposite Moss as better teams come up in the next portion of the schedule. The team still needs to work on pass blocking with three and four receiver set plays and five to seven step drops for Campbell.
Zorn also chose to to kick a fifty plus yard field goal attempt rather than punt and pin the Lions back or going for it on fourth down with either choice forcing the Lions back deeper in their own territory than after a missed kick which transpired. It will be interesting to see if the results in the deep kicking game today bear any consideration in future games for Zorn.
On defense it was another day at the office for the linebackers led by Fletcher along with another stellar performance by Landry. Only Evans recorded a sack on Orlovsky. The front four gave Orlovsky plenty of time as if a bust in Canton was waiting for him. A lack of any pressure has to be a concern as three division games along with games against the Steelers and Ravens lay ahead.
In the end, the Skins found a way to win against a team they were supposed to beat. It was an ugly win that has the pundits wondering if the Skins are for real and asking how they can look so good against a good team one week and bad versus mediocre teams another week? It will be another tought test with the Steelers coming to town on Monday night to face the now 6-2 Skins!
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