Here is what you need to know on this Sunday, October 14, the day the Redskins play the 4-1 Vikings at FedEx Field.
Chat time is 4:00
It’s a 4:25 kickoff at FedEx Field so our Redskins-Vikings chat will be getting underway at FedEx Field at 4:00. It will be Tarik El-Bashir, Jennifer X Williams, and yours truly all from the press box.
As usual, we might get things started a little early so keep an eye on my Twitter feed @Rich_TandlerCSN for the word.
See you then!
Defying the odds?
Earlier this week Jim Haslett lamented the fact that his defense is scoring touchdowns but the turnover touchdowns aren’t coming in wins.
“The disappointing thing is we scored three and we didn’t win the game,” said Haslett. “Usually when you score on defense, you win the game. Maybe we’ve got to get two.”
Well, maybe Haslett’s unit could try keeping the other team out of the end zone a little more often instead of getting a second TD but that’s beside the point. The Redskins do have three defensive touchdowns, their most since 1999, and they have lost all three of games where they got those scores.
--Week 2 against the Rams, Josh Wilson scooped up a fumble and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. St. Louis won anyway 31-28.
--Week 3 against the Bengals, Rob Jackson picked off a pass in the Cincinnati end zone for six quick points. The Redskins lost 38-31
--Last week Ryan Kerrigan intercepted a Matt Ryan screen pass and bolted 28 yards into the end zone. The Falcons overcame the score and won 24-17.
How unusual is it for a team to score on defense and still lose? This year, the odds are certainly in your favor if you score on defense but doing so hardly ensures a win.
In the first five weeks of this season there are been 27 defensive touchdowns. In three games the same team has scored multiple defensive TD’s so we are looking at 24 games where a team scored on defense. In those games the teams with the defensive touchdowns are 16-8.
So based on this season, scoring a defensive touchdown doubles your chances of winning the game. The number, of course, is skewed by the Redskins, who have 37.5 percent of the games lost with a defensive touchdown.
The Redskins are either defying the odds or defining them, depending on how you look at it.
Today’s schedule
--3:00 Redskins Kickoff, Comcast SportsNet
--4:25 Vikings at Redskins, FOX
--Immediately following the game, Redskins Postgame Live, Comcast SportsNet
In case you missed it
Peterson’s remarkable recovery not surprising.
Days until: RG3’s first division game @ Giants 7; Redskins @ Steelers 14; Monday night vs. Giants @ FedEx 50
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