Even so, the Redskins, if only for 15 minutes Sunday, finally played like the team many expected to see take the field in early September. The team that finally had a full season of experience in Zorn's west coast offense. The team who spent over $140 million in free agency to significantly upgrade its underachieving roster. The team that was finally expected to show off its young talent at wideout, linebacker, and corner. Yada yada yada.
But the Redskins finally looked the part, at least for a quarter:
- Total plays: Atlanta-3, Washington-22
- Total yards: Atlanta-9, Washington-134
- Campbell: 9 for 13, 102 yards passing, 26 yards rushing, 1 touchdown
- Betts and Cartwright: 17 carries, 72 yards, 1 touchdown
- Time of possession: Atlanta-2:15, Washington-12:45
It seemed as if the Redskins haven't scored 17+ points in a decade. On Sunday, they scored 14 in a quarter.
I'm not saying these are the real Redskins when they play the way they're supposed to because they're not. They're simply overpaid and underachieving. The inspired team that took the field after halftime Sunday is simply the Redskins when they play their best - something no owner, GM, or coach has been able to consistently galvanize since Gibbs's first go-round. The Z-man seemed no different.
But something must have snapped in Zorn's head, whether it was one play or the weight of the entire season, because several players interviewed after the game claimed the lambasted head coach "went off" at halftime.
Good. What took so long?
Every time the camera showed Zorn with his play sheet on the sideline following another missed opportunity, he outwardly resembled a 90-year-old just handed an iPhone. Confused. Flummoxed. Downright stupid. It's not composure, he just seemed to have no idea where to begin to fix it all.
But whatever he conjured up on the walk back to the locker room at halftime finally got through to the players. And they finally responded. The oft-criticized Oline showed no trace of the ineffectiveness they've displayed all season. They kept Campbell upright, opened up holes for Betts and Cartwright, and stayed off the referee's laundry list, excluding a forgivable hold on Mike Williams.
The defense held steady forcing the Atlanta offense to go 3 and out on their only possession of the quarter. Lionized free safety LaRon Landry even made the crucial 3rd down stop, a play Redskins fans hoped the 6th overall pick would make more consistently at this point in his career rather than his usual careless and out of control attempt at tackling.
It is said that one learns most from failure rather than success. Despite the losses, the miscues, the inconsistency, the lack of offensive production, and the shameful (lack of) character from alleged "team leaders," some coaches and players are still fighting and, consequently, proving their worth to this team.
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