Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Multiple paths to the playoffs for the Redskins

You see the headlines that the Redskins are in first place in the NFC East. That is not technically true. They are in a three-way tie for first place and as of right now they hold the tiebreaker advantage. However, those tiebreaker advantages are not locked in.

But that is really a matter of semantics. The Redskins’ playoff destiny is in their own hands and that is what really matters.

Here is an updated look at the Redskins’ playoff possibilities:

NFC East

Here is the current picture in the NFC East.

Team-record-division record-remaining games

Redskins 8-6, 3-1, @ Eagles, Cowboys
Cowboys 8-6, 3-2, Saints, @ Redskins
Giants 8-6, 2-3, @ Ravens, Eagles

If the Redskins win out, the Cowboys will be at least one game behind because Washington will have beaten them. And if the Giants also win out, the Redskins will take the division based on a better division record.

That part is simple. It gets complicated if the Redskins trip up and lose a game.

If the Redskins lose to the Eagles, they will still have a shot at the division. They would need for the Giants to drop one of their two last games and to beat Dallas. Assuming the Cowboys beat the Saints, all three teams would be 9-7. The Redskins would be 3-1 against the other two teams, the Cowboys 1-3 and New York 2-2, giving Washington the head to head tiebreaker.

If just the Cowboys and Redskins are 9-7 the Redskins would win the tiebreakers based on the head to head sweep. Washington would beat out New York in a two-team tiebreaker with a better division record.

If the Redskins beat the Eagles and lose to the Cowboys, they will have to hope they can take a wild card even if they Cowboys lose to the Saints. The teams would both be 9-7, tied head to head and would have 4-2 division marks. The next tiebreaker is record in common games.

The teams have 12 common games (Giants X 2, Eagles X 2, Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Bucs, Steelers, Ravens, Bengals, Browns). The Cowboys have eight wins against those teams with one to play and the Redskins have six with one to play. Dallas has that tiebreaker clinched.

The Giants, of course, would have the Redskins fighting for a wild card if they win out and Washington splits its last two.

Wild card

For the sake of simplicity, we’ll assume that the Seahawks will win one of their remaining two games, both at home, and wrap up one of the wild card spots. That leaves one wild card spot for the Redskins to play for.

Here are the other contenders for that spot:

Team-Record-NFC record-Remaining games

Vikings 8-6, 6-5, @ Texans, Packers
Bears 8-6, 5-5, @ Cardinals, @ Lions

The Giants and Cowboys also are in the wild card mix. Let’s also note that the Redskins would have to lose a game to get into the wild card mix because if they win out, they win the division.

If the Redskins beat the Eagles next Sunday and the Giants, Vikings, and Bears all lose, Washington clinches at least a wild card spot. Even if the Redskins lose to Dallas in the finale, they would beat the Vikings based on a head to head win, the Bears due to a better conference record, and the Giants with a better division record.

The Redskins could still get a wild card with a loss in either of their last two games if the Bears, Vikings, and Giants all split their last two games. If they are all 9-7, the same tiebreaker advantages would apply. 

Streaks snap at FedEx Field

That sound you heard coming out of FedEx Field on Sunday afternoon was one of snapping streaks.

Three straight losses this season? That streak is gone.

Three straight losses to the Eagles? No mas.

Four straight defeats after the bye? Buh-bye.

Eight straight losses to rookie quarterbacks? That history-making streak is now history.

The fact that the 31-6 win came against the Eagles, who are no longer a powerhouse “dream team” but a struggling group of players who are less than the sum of their parts, did diminish the accomplishment to a degree.

They started rookie quarterback Nick Foles and he showed why six other quarterbacks were drafted ahead of him. He made some bad decisions and sometimes when he had the right idea he misfired.

He wasn’t helped much by his supposed big-play receivers. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin combined for just two passes for five yards.

LeSean McCoy, considered to be one of the best running backs in the league, rushed for 45 yards on 15 carries before departing late in the game with a concussion.

On defense, missed tackles and other mistakes abounded.

Yes, the Redskins beat a bad team, perhaps one that is becoming a very bad team. Andy Reid is likely to be gone after the season.

But in recent years the Redskins lost to some pretty bad teams. Two home losses to the Vikings in 2010 and 2010 come to mind. Last year they were shut out by the Bills, who finished 6-10. In 2009 the Lions broke their 19-game losing streak against the Redskins and finished that season 2-14.

And, last year, the Eagles came to FedEx Field at 1-4 and temporarily revived their season at the expense of the Redskins, who were 3-1 and coming off of their bye.

So the Redskins have made a habit out of losing to some bad teams. The fact that they were able to not only win but to win easily by the biggest margin they have had since Mike Shanahan arrived in 2010 suggests that today was a step in the right direction.

Maybe not a huge step but for a team with all of those negative streaks hanging over its head it was one that was badly needed.

Uncalled hold of the week

We used to have a regular series here on the Brian Orakpo uncalled hold of the week. It seemed like every game there was at least one screen shot of Orakpo getting wrapped up by an offensive lineman’s arms right in the vicinity of the quarterback.

We might have to start a new series with a different player.

The shot below is from play with just 35 seconds left in the first half. The Giants trailed 13-10 and had the ball second and 10 at the Washington 48. Eli Manning went back to pass and Lorenzo Alexander rushed up the middle. Chris Snee sees that  Alexander is past him and does the only thing he can do to prevent Manning from getting sacked.

 

Thanks to Snee’s textbook hold, Manning had enough time to fire off a pass to Victor Cruz for 13 yards to the Washington 35. Two plays later Lawrence Tynes kicked a 39-yard field goal to tie the game at intermission.

If Manning gets a sack it’s third and long well out of field goal range. It’s possible that they still get the field goal but the chances are much worse than they were if Alexander gets the sack.

If we use Billy Cundiff math, we would conclude that the field goal was worth just three points and the Redskins lost by four. But how the rest of the game played out could have been affected by the three points.

However, this is noted more for future reference than for any affect it may have had on the game. We’ll see if Alexander continues to get grabbed right in front of the quarterback.

It also might answer the question of how the Giants have been able to limit opponents for just five sacks in seven games despite having a patchwork offensive line. 

A lesson in self scouting

It’s great to go what works for you but if you do the same thing over and over again in the NFL, someone eventually will burn you for it.

That’s what happened to the Redskins and Jim Haslett on the first play from scrimmage against the Bengals. Cincinnati came out in the Wildcat formation with rookie wide receiver Mohammad Sanu lined up to take the snap. Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden knew exactly how the Redskins would react to this formation.

Gruden knew that at the snap, all 11 Redskins defenders would be within about seven yards of the line of scrimmage. How did he know this?

“I was just watching their wildcat reel,” Gruden told SiriusXM NFL radio earlier this week. “And every wildcat snap they had, they played Cover-0. And I’ve been waiting for it.”

Sanu, of course, launched a 78-yard touchdown pass to A. J. Green on the play and the Redskins played from behind most of the game.

Haslett and the Redskins should heed this from Chris Brown of Smart Football. “The best advice I’ve heard for self-scouting is to identify and counter what you ‘always’ and ‘never’ do . . . if you don’t notice your ‘always’ and ‘nevers,’ someone else will.”

Sometimes even if a defense isn’t the very best one to run against a particular formation, you should run it anyway from time to time. Because if don’t vary your looks, someone will figure that out and make you pay.

Grading the defense: Issues everywhere vs. Rams

By Tarik El Bashir 
CSNwashington.com 

Grade vs. Rams: D+

Comment: After jumping from the 31^st ranked defense to 13^th last season, there was hope that the Redskins’ unit would take the next step and join the league’s elite. So far, though, it hasn’t happened and after Sunday’s 31-28 loss to the Rams there’s legitimate concern whether it’s even possible.

After two games, the unit ranks 28^th in yards allowed per game (405.0) and 27^th in points yielded (31.5). And now, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett must figure out how to overcome the loss of starters Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker for the remainder of the season.

But let’s get back to Sunday’s unsightly performance in St. Louis. The Redskins returned a fumble for a touchdown, recovered another and intercepted a pass. But that’s it for good news.

Sam Bradford and the youthful Rams had lost eight games in a row, limped in with an injury depleted line and were coming off a season in which they ranked last in points scored per game (12.1). The Redskins, however, made them look like the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’ Rams of the late 1900s.

Bradford and wide receiver Danny Amendola shredded the secondary, particularly in the first half – even when everyone at Edward Jones Dome knew what was coming next. Twelve of Amendola’s 15 receptions (a record high against the Redskins) came before halftime (on the Rams’ second drive, Amendola caught passes on six of seven plays). Bradford, meantime, finished with 310 passing yards and three touchdowns. It marked Bradford’s third highest passing day of his career, while he equaled his high for touchdowns in a game.

Against the run, the Redskins weren’t much better. The Rams managed to rack up 151 yards, despite losing star running back Steven Jackson in the second quarter to injury. With Jackson sidelined, rookie Daryl Richardson rushed for 83 yards, including a 53-yard scamper in the third quarter, on 15 carries.

If the loss of Carriker (torn quadriceps) in the first quarter and Orakpo (torn pectoral muscle) and cornerback Josh Wilson (concussion) in the third were at the root of the Redskins’ struggles Sunday, watch out. It could be a long season for the ‘D’. 

Gomes 'cool and calm' vs. Brees and company

DeJon Gomes, like the rest of the Redskins’ secondary, was expected to struggle against Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints’ vaunted air attack.

Only he didn’t.

With the exception of a personal foul in the first quarter and pass interference infraction in the third, it could be argued that Gomes was among the Redskins’ best players on defense last Sunday. He finished the game tied for team-lead in tackles (4), combined tackles (5) and returned a fourth quarter interception 49 yards deep into Saints’ territory.

Not bad for a second-year professional making just his sixth career NFL start. The 22-year-old strong safety replaced injured veteran Brandon Meriweather (sprained knee) and figures to get the call again Sunday in St. Louis. 

“I thought he did a good job in a lot of areas, but there’s room for improvement like everybody,” defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. “I thought the guy stepped in and was cool and calm. That’s kind of his demeanor anyway. He did a nice job in both the running game and the pass game.”

Gomes’ afternoon did not get off to the type of start he had envisioned.

On the Saints’ second drive of the game, he was whistled for a late hit on Darren Sproles, putting New Orleans on the Redskins’ 20-yard line. On the next play, Brees hit Jimmy Graham for the go-ahead touchdown.

“I guess it could have went either way,” Gomes said Thursday. But “I have to be smarter than that.”

It was the lowlight of an afternoon that, for the most part, only got better for Gomes. 

In the third quarter, he was whistled for pass interference after breaking up a pass deep in Washington’s end. Four plays later, the Saints settled for a field goal.

Gomes then made amends for the two penalties with his clutch play in the fourth quarter as the Saints mounted a comeback bid. The home team had trimmed its deficit to 33-25, had the ball again and the Redskins were reeling.

But Gomes, in essence, clinched the Redskins’ victory when he stepped between Brees and Lance Moore on a deep pass near midfield. Gomes snatched the ball, zigzagged across the field and nearly scored before getting shoved out of bounds at the three-yard line.

Alfred Morris punched the ball into the end zone next play to put the Redskins ahead 40-25 and the game out of New Orleans’ reach.

Gomes said it was his biggest play since junior college.

“My high school running back days came out of me,” he said with a laugh. “I was just trying to get as many yards as I could.”

Told of Gomes’ running back comment, Haslett had some fun at the safety’s expense.

“Why didn’t he score then?” he cracked.

Butler says ankle is 100 percent healed

After getting released by the Cardinals on Friday, Crezdon Butler did not remain unemployed long.

The Redskins claimed him off waivers Saturday, giving the team five cornerbacks and Butler the second chance he had been seeking. 

Drafted out of Clemson in the fifth round by Pittsburgh in 2010, Butler played sparingly in four games his rookie season. He was waived by the Steelers the following preseason and claimed by Arizona a few days later.

Butler, however, appeared in only one regular season game with the Cardinals before a gruesome ankle suffered in practice cut his season short.

“I need my speed, and that was the first thing that went when I broke my ankle,” Butler said. “Sometimes it gets a little bit sore after practice, which is normal any time you break a bone. But once I’m loose, it’s loose. It’s 100-percent healed.”

The 25-year-old spent the entire offseason in Arizona but was released on cutdown day as the Cardinals squeezed down to league maximum of 53 players. The Redskins had left open a spot on their roster, presumably for Butler, whose strengths are his speed, size (6 foot 1, 191) and versatility.

“I was disappointed” to get cut by the Cardinals, Butler said. “But it’s always a blessing to have a job.”

The Ashville, N.C. native arrived in town Sunday and went through his first practice in Ashburn on Monday.

Butler joins a cornerback corps that includes DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson, Cedric Griffin, Richard Crawford. Butler said he can play either side, cover the slot, and line up as a free safety if necessary. He also received ample time on special teams with the Cardinals.

Although he’s familiar with the Redskins’ scheme after playing in similar systems in Arizona and Pittsburgh, Butler said the terminology is different. For that reason, he knows he might not play Sunday m New Orleans. 

“They might give me a week to get up to speed, get all the terminology down,” Butler said. “But if they call upon me, I’m going to be ready. We’ll probably see Friday what’s going on.”

The terminology might be different, but Butler did something familiar when he walked into the Redskins’ locker room: former Clemson teammate Jarvis Jenkins. 

“It helps a lot coming to a new team, having someone show you around, so you’re not just lost in the woods, lost,” Butler said. “It means a lot. I’ve been at Jarvis’ house every day since I’ve been here.”

Touchbacks will be the objective for Redskins

Over the past two seasons, Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff has prevented opposing teams from returning kickoffs a league-leading 84 times by booting the ball through the end zone for a touchback.

On Saturday, Coach Mike Shanahan hinted that putting opposing teams at the 20-yard line will be the Redskins’ objective this season, rather than employing a directional kicking strategy and gambling that his stand out kick coverage unit can stop the returner short of the 20.  (Last season, the Redskins’ kick coverage team limited opponents to 20.8 yards per return, the second best mark in the league.)

“Any time you can kick touchbacks, you let him kick touchbacks,” Shanahan said of Cundiff on Saturday. “The 20-yard line to start isn’t great field position, so if you can get that done, that would be a good goal.”

In Wednesday’s 30-3 preseason victory over Tampa Bay, Cundiff forced touchbacks on five of six kickoffs in his debut for the Redskins. Last season in Baltimore, Cundiff set an NFL record for most touchbacks in a season with 44.

“What you always do is look at your personnel,” Shanahan said, asked if the team has changed philosophies on kickoffs. “So, when you say philosophy, it all depends – offense, defense or special teams – what your guys can do best.”   

Redskins stock up-stock down vs. Bucs

The Redskins’ second through fourth teamers beat the Bucs’ second through fourth teamers 30-3 in the preseason finale on Wednesday.

But this was one of those rare games where individual performances mattered more than the final score. There were some jobs at stake and here is a look at some of the players who helped themselves during the game and some who hurt their cases for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Stock up

Brandon Banks—As my partner Tarik El-Bashir wrote, Banks both helped and hurt his resume. He caught a 47-yard pass from Kirk Cousins and blazed for 43 yards on an end around. Add in 66 yards in punt returns (on 5 attempts, 13.2 average) and you have 156 yards of field position and he didn’t even play the whole game. A dropped pass and a muffed punt were down moments but it seemed the good outweighed the bad.

Kedric Golston—If he was on the bubble, he worked his way off of it with a performance that included a sack for a loss of eight yards and two QB hurries.

Aldrick Robinson—He didn’t do much as a receiver as he didn’t catch a pass in limited action on offense. But he did return two kickoffs for an average of 33.5 yards. That could make him a valuable asset if the team does decide to part ways with Banks.

Bryan Kehl—Two times in the previous three games Kehl got two hands on an opponent’s pass and he had dropped both of them. But tonight he got his hands on one and not only did he hold on to it he showed good speed in returning the interception 43 yards. Add that to six tackles and a sack and you have a pretty good day.

Stock down

Anthony Armstrong—He did help his case by hauling in a 47-yard bomb from Cousins. But he probably needed more to get back into the discussion for a roster spot. That was his only real positive moment of the preseason. It may not be fair because he did miss some time with a shoulder injury but that is the way of the NFL world.

Terrence Austin—He was pretty much in the same boat as Armstrong, needing an impressive performance to get on the right side of the bubble. Two catches for 10 yards is not an impressive performance by any stretch. Austin needed to do more.

Niles Paul—He’s not on the bubble but he finished off a so-so preseason catching just one pass for six yards. Considering that Chris Cooley was released in part because the team felt that Paul could serve as the backup tight end, he could have quieted some critics with a better showing.

Tim Hightower—He was on the “did not play” list. His knee was still sore after he had five carries and a handful of other snaps against the Colts on Saturday. He’s only on this list because even though he looked good against the Colts tonight serves as a reminder that he’s still not back to anywhere near 100 percent.

Tomorrow: Tandler’s 53-man roster projection.

Instant analysis: Banks both helps and hurts his cause vs. Bucs

By Tarik El-Bashir
CSNwashington.com

Redskins 30, Bucs 3

Although the game was lightly attended and only a handful of starters ever saw the field, it was serious business for bubble players like Brandon Banks.

Few Redskins are as polarizing as the pint-sized playmaker, particularly when the following question is posed: does he do enough, consistently, to deserve a spot on the 53-man roster?

Wednesday was a mixed bag for Banks, who had a 47-yard reception and a 43-yard carry on a reverse. But he also dropped a pass, muffed a punt and a lost fumble.  

Banks returned punts for 15, 22, 18 and 11 yards. But he also mishandled a punt return in the second quarter and was fortunate not to lose possession deep in Washington’s end. (Last season, Banks led the league in muffed kicks and punts with a total of 7 but did not lose any of them.)

On offense, Banks, generously listed 5 foot 7, 153-pounds, had an equally uneven outing.

Told by Coach Mike Shanahan during training camp that he had to contribute at wide receiver, Banks was targeted three times. In the second quarter, he got two hands on a pass that was thrown a little behind him but couldn’t hang on in the red zone. In the third quarter, he hauled in a 47-yard Kirk Cousins pass with a deft diving catch to help set up a touchdown.

Later in the third, Banks made arguably the play of the game. He took a reverse 43 yards into the Buccaneers to spark another scoring drive.

But it wasn’t long before Banks was walking off the shaking his head. Late in the fourth quarter, Banks lined up in the backfield and was charged with a lost fumble on an exchange with seldom-used quarterback Jonathan Crompton.

So, after four exhibition contests, we’re almost exactly where the argument began. Does the good outweigh the bad with Banks? On Friday we’ll get the only opinion that matters, when Shanahan pare the Redskins’ roster from 75 to the regular season maximum of 53.