The Rams offense managed 12 non-penalty-aided 1st downs and went 6-12 on 3rd down. Bulger threw for as many yards as the Skins ran for (125) and he averaged a lowly 4.5 yards per pass. Rocky forced 2 fumbles but one was negated by penalty.
MVP goes to Chris Horton. Fletch and Andre Carter both brought their A-game on Sunday but Horton tallied 7 solo tackles, 2 pass breakups (1 of which ended the game for St. Louis on 4th down), and the game-clinching hit on Donnie Avery that forced a fumble recovered by C-Rog in the red zone.
Didn't exactly show up in the box score, but Big Al and Orakpo also deserve credit. The Rams had no answer for Haynesworth up the middle and Orakpo contributed significantly to an impressive pass rush. Before the game I said the team who won the line of scrimmage would win and that proved true. Between our 4 lineman: 17 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 pass deflections, 2 tackles for loss, and 4 QB knockdowns. That's what I'm talking about baby.
I understand that the defense played well and yes defense wins championships but come'on Sam. 9 points against the RAMS??- and unable to score 30 + in 18 games and counting???? Lets not forget that Zorn was supposed to be an offensive minded coach. To add to the offensive problems is that the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys are all putting up huge numbers on the offensive side of the ball, the Eagles without McNabb last week, the Giants minus Plaxico, and the Cowgirls minus TO. If the Skins fail to average atleast 17 points/game this year, we are looking at another average to sub-par season again, no matter how good the D is.
ReplyDeleteIF the Skins fail to average at least 17 points/game then the Skins will be watching the playoffs at home. Yeah, you're right, the lowest scoring team to make the playoffs last year was Miami at 21.6 points/game. All I'm saying is that there wouldn't be any criticisms of JC and Zorn if Thomas and Sellers hold on to those TDs and Santana doesn't fumble away, arguably, our best drive of the game. We're only 2 games into the season and were 1-1, FAR from needing to worry. The "If-itis" seems to be in full force though.
ReplyDeleteHere, Larry Weisman says it better than me: http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/_If__Game_Leads_to_Bizarre_Backdrop_For_Redskins_59348.jsp courtesy of Redskins.com.
Noteworthy points: "...There’s no question the offense continues to struggle and some of the mistakes seem inexcusable. The offensive line calls “fan” blocking instead of “man” blocking on a crucial play against the Rams and gets Clinton Portis clobbered on a fourth-down run near the goal line. Drops of potential touchdown passes. Illegal procedure calls at home. Well, everybody has problems.
The Redskins’ red-zone spasms have been well-documented. Eight times inside the 20, two touchdowns. And that is bad -- but the Giants are worse. Eight trips, no touchdowns. They’ve scored 18 points on eight, the Redskins 26 on eight (and one of those, against the Rams, was a clock-killing kneel situation at the end). Have the tabloids pilloried the Giants yet?
Only three teams have been inside the red zone more than the Redskins. They’re one of six with eight forays inside the 20 and, yes, they’re the second-lowest scoring. That says they can move the ball but struggle with finishing. That obviously must be corrected.
Yet the good burghers of Indianapolis appear not too concerned that the Colts have been inside the red zone only three times. Maybe we can spread the “if” bacteria to Indy -- “if” the Colts don’t get some sustained possessions and long drives, should they fire Jim Caldwell? Oh, right, they’re 2-0..."
"Just win baby," as Al Davis would say and 9-7 over the Rams was good enough for a W. Now, that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see us break the streak of 30+ points at Detroit this Sunday.