Once again, it comes down to
one game where all of the planning, the long days in the weight room, the endless
hours spent in the film room, at OTA’s, in training camp and in practices all
lead one game that determines if you will be able to play for one more week to
advance one step closer to the Super Bowl or if you will pack it in and start
planning for next September.
Last Sunday it was the Redskins
and Cowboys and the good guys won. This time it’s the Seattle Seahawks, the
second-hottest team going into the NFC playoffs, trying to end Washington’s
season. The hottest team, of course, is Washington, the winner of seven
straight games.
That game kicks off on Sunday
at about 4:30. Until then, we’ll help
you count down the hours and minutes until kickoff with this blog. We’ll update
with the latest new, notes, nuggets, thoughts, and analysis right up until the
start of the game. Check by frequently throughout the day and refresh the page
for the latest.
Time is in hours and minutes
until kickoff.
Gomes, Lichtensteiger active
-1:15—Per our Tarik El-Bashir, DeJon Gomes and Kory Lichtensteiger
will be active for the Redskins. It is safe to assume, then, that Lichtensteier
will start at LG.
The inactives are: QB Grossman,
KR Banks, WR Briscoe, LB So'Oto, LB Muckelroy, OL Compton, OL Gettis.
Twitter question on RG
2:10—This on is from @ncmixx
I think albert morris @Trey_Deuce
will be the key today...your thoughts?
I think the Redskins’ ability
to run the ball will be critical and so, yes, agree 100%. If the Redskins can
establish the run that will set up the play action passes and misdirection
plays that will keep the Seahawks off balance.
Twitter question on the secondary
-2:25--Got this one from @DNordoft:
Who plays nickel. Griff or Craw?
I think Crawford will play some
but I think Griffin’s experience will have him in the majority of the time in
nickel. I think next year is Crawford’s year but, assuming that Griffin is not
too rusty, I think he’s the nickel back as long as the Redskins are playing
this season.
Twitter question on O-line
-2:40—A Twitter question from @Chris_Boulay:
Any fresh word on 'steiger?
Yes, and it’s not necessarily
good. Lichtensteiger was limping somewhat while coming into the stadium. Now, that does not
necessarily mean that he won’t play. Some tape and some medication can work
wonders. But limping is never a good sign.
If I had to say right now, I'd say Josh LeRibeus at left guard.
Heading to FedEx
-4:55—I’m on my way out the door to FedEx Field, will pick this
back up about -3:00. More coming then and don’t forget to join in our chat at
4:00.
And CBS picks
-5:00—CBSsports.com is even less bullish on the Redskins than are
the guys at ESPN. They have eight
humans and one computer program picking the game. Pete Prisco—yes, the guy
who picked the Redskins to go either 0-16 or 3-13—picks the Redskins as does
Ryan Wilson. The rest of the humans and the program go with Seattle.
Twitter question
6:00—I got a question on Twitter from @rwj64:
Do you expect the Skins to blitz alot like last Sunday?
Yes, I think they will. If
they’re going to do it with Dez Bryant getting covered one-on-one I don’t see
why they wouldn’t do it and put DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson on Golden Tate
and Sidney Rice and bring some heat to Russell Wilson.
They will need to be careful,
however, to keep Wilson in the pocket and not let him roam around. That’s where
he is dangerous (or Danger Russ, as his Twitter handle reads) both passing and
running the ball.
If you have a questions, feel
free to hit me up in the comments here or on Twitter @Rich_TandlerCSN.
ESPN picks
6:40—The ESPN talking heads come
down decidedly in favor of the visiting team. Of the 12 heads, only
three—Merrill Hoge, Seth Wichersham, and Mike Ditka—take the Redskins. The
Accuscore program also takes Seattle.
NFL Network First on the Field crew picks the game
7:20—Logging the “expert” picks from the NFL Network First on the
Field crew.
Redskins win: Sterling Sharpe, Melissa Stark, Brian Billick
Seahawks win: Michael Lombardi,
LaDainian Tomlinson
