After Vikings loss, Redskins have just one life left to spare
By Ian Cummings
The Redskins are in dangerous territory. They can’t afford to lose again.
After their loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Redskins, a maddeningly inconsistent team, will face their toughest test yet. A seven-game stretch to end the season. Daring them to change their ways.
For this team, that’s far easier said than done. Over the last two decades, the Redskins have either been known as a wildly inconsistent team, or just a consistently bad team. In recent years, that perception has hinted at a coming change. But after Sunday’s loss against the Vikings, coming off a road win against a playoff team, a game that should have ignited a fierce spark of momentum, this seems to be the same team we saw a year ago. And two years ago.
Here is a list of the non-division leaders currently ahead of Washington in the playoff race: Seahawks, Panthers, Lions, Packers, Falcons, and Cowboys. That’s seven teams, not counting division leaders, that are currently ahead of the Redskins. And of those seven teams, only two will make the playoffs. barring a shakeup in the top spots.
In other words, Jay Gruden has a lot of ground to make up. Going 4-4 in the first half of the season, they knew full well that they needed to capitalize on a weaker second half and start winning early. Kicking off the last eight games with a record of 0-1 was not, and will not be helpful.
With their loss against the Vikings, the best record the Redskins can possibly attain is a record of 11-5. That said, it would take a miracle for that to happen. The defense is hot and cold, and injuries are only continuing to add up. And the offense is bland, lacking dynamic. There is no running game whatsoever, and the passing game suffers as a result. Defenses don’t respect the Redskins’ offense, and as a result, they can’t keep up when their own defense falters.
Given the Redskins’ frustrating shortcomings, the best they can realistically do in this final stretch is 6-1. But that’s only if Kirk Cousins gains a rapport with his receivers late, and the running game finds limited life. They’d have to either get a win against the Saints, which will be very hard to do, or against the Cowboys, who already beat them this year in embarrassing fashion. Neither outcome is plausible, but the Redskins do crazy things when they’re desperate. They also get lazy after big wins. I almost feel bad. I applauded them on their positive culture change just a week ago. And then they admitted that practices weren’t focused enough after their brutal loss to Minnesota.
Are the Redskins still in control of their fate? Yes. But they won’t go on a winning streak playing the way they have been. They won’t find life offensively without making substantial changes to the game plan. In these next seven games, the Redskins need to play to win. They can’t play to ‘not lose’. No more conservative play calling on offense. No more relying on the line for pressure on defense. These coaches need to be more creative. And the players need to realize what’s at stake. Unless they’ve already given up. Who could blame them? The odds are mounting against them.
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The Redskins are still in control. But one loss, just one loss, changes that. This team is perilously close to falling off the edge of contention that has haunted them for years. They have one life left. And if they use it up against New Orleans next week, then they will no longer be in control. And then, it won’t just be time to worry. It’ll be time to plan for 2018.