Sorry, but we're 5-6. That may be better than last year, but we're only in it in the division because we're in the worst division in football. The only reason to be optimistic about winning the division is that we have 3 games left with in-division teams.
As for improvement, I'd say the best improvement has been in special teams. We had a long field goal blocked yesterday, but we shouldn't have been trying at that distance anyway. Our coverage has been good, and kickoffs into the seats is wonderful.
Running back by committee is not working. Alfred got a bulk of the work yesterday, and guess what? He got into a grove and picked up some tough yards. In fact, all of his yards were tough because our o-line is getting stuffed at the point of attack regularly.
The defense had a great day yesterday, but Eli's play was awful until the second half when we got timid on defense. I'm sick and tired of a three man rush that virtually guarantees the opposition qb about 10 seconds in the pocket. BTW, does Barry have any blitz packages in his quiver?
And, how many times are we going to throw stop routes in front of the marker on third downs? What's the point? We may as well punt on third down.
Penalties in bunches are back.
The irony here is that Alfred may have saved Gruden's job.
It great to be all optimistic and everything, but were in a weak division and struggle at the basics.
Gruden played scared yesterday. It's likely the players' coach got word during the week that this game would be an important one in his career.
Last year, the wheels came off early during the season. This year the wheels are still on, but only because of the weak division.
I'm not normally one that puts a positive spin on things when it comes to this franchise. I know better - the last 20 plus years have taught me otherwise.
However, you need to look no further than what we've done on five different occasions in our victories this season to see that things are taking on a bit of a different feel this season.
Rams @ Redskins - up 17-0 at the half. St. Louis storms back with a 10 point third quarter and just when it feels as though they'll come all the way back and steal the victory, we manufacture a 12 play, 77 yard TD drive in the fourth quarter to give us the breathing room we need.
Eagles @ Redskins - we're up 13-0 at the half, the Eagles eventually claw back and take a 20-16 lead early in the 4th quarter. Just when you thought it was over and we would wilt, Cousins orchestrates a 90 yard drive and we secure the victory with a TD with 23 seconds left.
Bucs @ Redskins - the 24-0 lead that the Bucs jumped out to had us all reaching for the paper bags to put over our faces as a fan base. It was about as low as it could get for us. Somehow, someway, we take a 31-30 lead with 24 seconds left after an 80 yard game winning drive.
Saints @ Redskins - 47-14. Skins cruise to a "put your feet up, smile, and breathe a little" victory in front of the home crowd.
Giants @ Redskins - This one had the typical Redskins loss fingerprints all over it. Costly penalties at the worst of times (yes, I'm talking about your Jordan), the inability to create points off turnovers, blocked field goals, a lead that was on the brink of slipping away, and the inability to put the final nail in the opposition's coffin despite opportunity after opportunity on offense throughout the second half. However, just when we were on the verge of punting away late in the game and witnessing Eli march the Giants down the field for the game winning TD (in typical Redskins style), Cousins hits Jordan Reed for 20 yards on 3rd and 5. Mix in a few key runs from Morris along the way, and it amounted to a key 37 yard drive in crunch time that while resulting in a punt, gave New York next to no time to do anything.
My point is it's been a very long while since we've manufactured these kinds of victories all in the same season.
Minus the New Orleans game, this team had to show a lot of resolve and composure to squeak out the victories described above. Key plays had to be made at key moments and we can't underestimate the importance of experiencing success in those kinds of situations. We couldn't have dreamed of pulling out these types of wins the majority of the time in years past.
At the end of the day, forget how far away we are, forget the holes in the roster, forget debating if we have the right coaches and quarterback in place. In 2015, it's as much about shaking the loser's mentality as it is anything else. I think several of the 2015 victories are positive steps in this regard.
If you're holding your breath waiting for this franchise to become the Patriots overnight, then you'll be disappointed for quite some time I suppose.
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