Cardinals1
courtesy of Homer McFanboy

Before the season began there were a host of predictions that the Redskins wouldn’t just be worst than last season, but that they would be the worst team in the NFL. They did after all have a rookie quarterback and a rookie running back sharing the same backfield, an offensive line filled with very few names that inspire any confidence, and a secondary that was highly suspect in 2011 and lost two safeties. With the Redskins heading into the bi-week at 3-6 even Mike Shanahan was ready to move to evaluation mode and find out what players were going to help in the years to come.

The Redskins certainly found that out. Rob Jackson, Lorenzo Alexander, Trent Williams, Tyler Polumbus, Richard Crawford, Santana Moss, London Fletcher, Kirk Cousins, Alfred Morris, and RGIII all stepped up after the bi-week and led the Redskins on a seven game win streak to end the regular season. The last game of that win streak came last night against the Dallas Cowboys. With RGIII still dealing with his knee injury and unable to be as effective a passer as normal it was up to his fellow rookie Alfred Morris to take over the game.

What Alfred Morris did in his rookie season is overshadowed by the presence of RGIII, but it could be said that as good a quarterback that RGIII is Morris may be a better running back. Morris is now the Redskins all time leading rusher and when they needed him most last night he stepped up in a big way. With Griffin only passing 18 times with 9 completions for 100 yards Morris was the key to the Redskins offense. Against a Dallas team that at many times had to know Morris was coming right at them he ran for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns on 33 attempts.

With the Redskins RGIII is always a factor even when he isn’t fully healthy and the zone read option opens up holes for both he and Morris. RGIII ran the ball himself 6 times for 63 yards. To put this into perspective Morris averaged 6.0 yards a carry and RGIII 10.5. With the Redskins inability to pass the Cowboys had to know runs were coming, but what they didn’t know was who had the ball in their hands. Watch RGIII on the fake hand-off. The ball is in Morris’ gut with his arms wrapped around it before RGIII pulls it back out. The entire defense has to freeze for that moment and it is then when RGIII decides who should have the ball.

As great as RGIII and Morris have been all season lone the defense deserves a lot of credit for the seven game win streak. The Redskins since the bi have allowed an average of around 20 points a game and have created turnovers. Last night was another example of what the Redskins defense can do. Richard Crawford, Josh Wilson, and Rob Jackson all had key interception, and while the Redskins were unable to turn the first two into points they both came with the Cowboys driving and took points and the ball away from the Cowboys. In total the Redskins won the time of possession battle 33:26 to 26:34.

The Redskins stepped up and did what they had to to put away the Cowboys. The play of Alfred Morris and the defense should be the focus as to why the Redskins won the game, but think back to last season and the biggest flaw of the Redskins offense. It was that they turned the ball over too much. Rex Grossman couldn’t stop himself from turning the ball over. The game against the Cowboys is one of the worst of RGIII’s young NFL career and he had zero interceptions. Even when RGIII isn’t helping the team he also isn’t hurting them, and that allowed Alfred Morris to take over and lead the Redskins to their first NFC title since 1999.

Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys
courtesy of Arnie K.

This is what the season comes down to. The Redskins vs. the Cowboys at FedEx Field with the NFC East title on the line. RGIII has had an additional week of rest and in order to beat the Cowboys he is going to have to be at the top of his game. It isn’t because they have a great defense ranking 21st and 17th against the pass and run respectively. The Cowboys have the third best passing offense in the NFL and the Redskins secondary is well the Redskins secondary.

In the fourth quarter against the Saints last Sunday the Cowboys appeared to be down and out, but then scored two touchdowns in three minutes to send the game to overtime. With Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and Miles Austin the Cowboys have that type of offense. They can strike and strike quickly, and the Redskins secondary has done little to stop any sort of passing attack all season long. If there is a strength to the Redskins defense it is an important one as they are tied for the fifth most interceptions in the league, and Tony Romo and the Cowboys are tied for fourth in interceptions.

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Santana Moss
courtesy of Keith Allison

There was a not so distant pass where if a team had the chance to tie or beat the Redskins with a last second play they would have done it. Likewise if the Redskins were given the same chance they would do nothing but fail. The 2012 season has been different in many ways for the Redskins. The first and most important is they have a franchise quarterback. The second and often overlooked aspect is they have a 25 carry a game running back. Those differences and others have been visible during the Redskins six game winning streak that continued this past Sunday against the Eagles, and every Redskins fan knows that if this had been years past that script would have been flipped.

The first and primary difference between the 2012 Redskins and any Redskins team of the recent past is RGIII. As limited as he was with the running in this game, he had a total of two carries for four yards, he was still able to move the ball through the air. Griffin for the day passed for 198 on 16 completions out of 24 attempts for two touchdowns and one interception. The interception may be partly Griffin’s fault as he did have a lot of velocity on the pass, but any time a ball touches a receiver’s hands they share in the blame.

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Robert Griffin III vs Eagles
courtesy of Matthew Straubmuller

For the last five weeks the Redskins have played must win games and won them. It has been because of the play of RGIII, Pierre Garcon, Kirk Cousins, and a revitalized defense that has allowed an average of 20.4 points with ten total turnovers created. In the previous nine games the Redskins defense allowed an average of 27.6 points or almost a touchdown more per game. As much credit as should go to the quarterback play for the winning streak the much maligned defense deserves credit for making mid-season adjustments.

This entire winning streak started after the Redskins bye week against the Eagles. The rematch takes place this weekend, but there is debate over how much of a match it will be. Andy Reid is unlikely to return as the Eagles head coach, Nick Foles is an uninspiring quarterback, and the Eagles defense has allowed the seventh most points in the NFL. This all points to a game the red hot Redskins should win, but sports have that way of surprising. This might be that one late season game where the Eagles show up inspired and ready to play. Tired of being overlooked and wanting to spoil the Redskins late playoff push to build confidence towards next season.

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Pierre Garcon
courtesy of Keith Allison

Remember back to last April when Kirk Cousins was drafted and the move was criticized by some. The point that was perhaps being missed, and more recently has been missed in the should RGIII run or not debate, is Griffin plays a dangerous style of football. In order to be as effective and dynamic as possible he needs to run and put the fear of running into the defenses. While most compare RGIII to Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, and Michael Vick there is a much better and more accurate comp, and that is Steve Young.

Steve Young was both an accomplished runner and passer, and he played the game with a fast and loose style much like RGIII. The other big thing about Steve Young is he had Elvis Grbac, and that is where Kirk Cousins comes in. Yesterday against the Browns was Kirk Cousins first NFL starts and while he looked good in relief of RGIII last week against the Ravens there was a little mistrust going into this game. It is human nature to fear the unknown and it is the DC sports’ fans nature to distrust management. The drafting of Cousins was viewed as just another mistake made under Snyder and no one knew exactly what level of play the Redskins would receive on Sunday.

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Trent Richardson
courtesy of Erik Daniel Drost

The biggest question facing the Redskins this week is if Robert Griffin will play or not. With him on the field the offense is dramatically different than if they had a standard pocket passer like Kirk Cousins. Cousins did a great job in helping to win the game against the Ravens but he is no RGIII and without the threat of the run the offense is drastically reduced. The zone read option plays that have opened large gains in the passing play and for Alfred Morris as well as RGIII are a stable of the Redskins offense, and those simply won’t be as effective if Griffin doesn’t play. These are also the thoughts the Ravens had in the fourth quarter when Kirk Cousins ran a QB draw on a two-point conversion so even from the bench the threat of RGIII’s running ability is a weapon.

Looking at the Browns record and the Redskins should be favored over them. The Redskins are coming off a win over the best team in the Brown’s division, but did lose earlier in the season to .500 or worse teams in the Rams and Panthers. That was without Garcon who has been the biggest difference maker during the Redskins four game winning streak. Any offense would be different with a number one passing threat on the field as opposed to the sidelines. Garcon’s ability to create yards after the catch will help whichever quarterback is starting for the Redskins.

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