Redskins sneak by Jaguars in 16-13 win, keep playoff hopes alive
By Ian Cummings
At a certain point, the quality of the opponent doesn’t matter. The stakes are simple. A win is needed, to give players hope again. The Redskins got that kind of win today.
It was never pretty, and at the end of the day, the Washington Redskins beat a bad team. But they won. And it was very evident that the coaches, players, and fans all needed a win, to lift their spirits.
It wasn’t easy, but Washington did what they needed to do, besting the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road, by a score of 16-13.
The defense will get recognition for their performance in this outing, as they should; Ryan Kerrigan and Jonathan Allen both had two sacks, and Shaun Dion Hamilton and Zach Brown also found their way to Cody Kessler on separate occasions. The secondary put clamps on the Jaguars’ passing game, and Fabian Moreau came up with a game-flipping interception late in the fourth quarter.
Again, the Redskins beat a bad team, with a very bad offense. But they won.
Josh Johnson deserves plenty of credit for this victory as well; the 32-year old accrued 200 total yards on the day, passing for 151 and rushing for 49, throwing a crucial second half touchdown pass to Jeremy Sprinkle to tie up the game. Johnson played with heart and energy, and his celebration on the sidelines after Dustin Hopkins‘ game-winning kick showcased the passion he brings. He was the offense’s MVP today, and he’s becoming one of the better stories in the NFL.
Time will award us with knowledge on the long-term implications of this win. This win against the Jaguars could be enough to keep the Redskins’ coaches in house, even when it appears that a change should be made. But at the same time, this win against the Jaguars could stoke a flame that drives Washington to the playoffs as a wild card team. They’ll need help from the Vikings, but if they can complete the task against the Titans and Eagles, two more ugly teams, then they can give themselves a chance.
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Like it or not, the Redskins aren’t done yet.