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It is not only the offense that has to be able to come up with the great calls every down. The defense has to carry it's weight as well.
Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache handles the formations and play calls for the defense.
One thing that Blache does great, he puts a great defense on the field (ranked fourth in total defense in 2008) though the defense does not put up outstanding stats.
It doesn't bother Blache that his team ranked 28th in sacks with only 24 in 2008.
The defense has one job. That is to stop the opposing offense with tough physical play. If sacks and turnovers result from that, then all the better.
When the Redskins defense is on, it is tough to beat them.
Here are five defensive plays that lead to the Redskins offense putting points on the board.
Week 16 - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
The Eagles had the ball with 11:37 left on the clock in the third quarter, and the Redskins held a 3-0 lead.
The Eagles lined up in a Shotgun Single-back Bunch formation set on third down and three on their own 30-yard line. The Redskins' defense were lined up in a 4-3 nickel and a deep safety.
When the ball was snapped, Andre Carter came on a stunt while the other three down linemen rushed. London Fletcher took the running back coming out of the backfield along with H.B. Blades.
Jason Taylor was able to get around the tackle to sack Donovon McNabb and force the fumble that was recovered by Fletcher and taken down to Philadelphia's 18-yard line.
Less than three minutes later, Clinton Portis would pound the ball into the end zone from one yard out to extend the Redskins lead to 10-0.
The Redskins won the game 10-3.
Week Nine - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Washington Redskins
The Redskins lead the game 3-0 after a failed attempt at a surprise onside kick by Steelers Jeff Reed to begin the game.
The Steelers were at their own 30-yard line, facing a third down and ten. They lined up in a Shotgun Single-back Trips left formation.
The Redskins ran a 4-3 Zone Blitz with Corneileus Griffin dropping into coverage and brought H.B. Blades on a blitz off the left side.
Pressure came quick as Ben Roethlisberger threw over the middle towards Santonio Holmes, but the ball was tipped at the line by Andre Carter and then intercepted by Griffin.
The ball was placed at Pittsburgh 30-yard line and the Redskins converted on a field goal attempt to lead 6-0. The Redskins ended up losing 23-6.
Week Three - Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins
With the score tied in the fourth quarter at 17-17 and 13:07 on the clock, the Cardinals lined up in Shotgun Twins Right formation. Meanwhile, the Redskins set up in a Cover 2 dropping the safeties deep and bringing Rocky McIntosh off the right side of the line for a blitz.
Kurt Warner had great blocking from his offensive line as he saw little pressure. Still, he threw the ball very quickly and with a little loft over the middle. The ball was tipped in the air by Lee Torrence and intercepted by Carlos Rogers at Washington's 43-yard line.
What makes this play great was the blocking set up by the defense in order for Rodgers to run the ball back to Arizona's 15-yard line.
Two plays later, the Redskins ran a screen to Santana Moss for a touchdown and the lead, 24-17 which ended up being the final score.
Week Four - Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys
This was the final time that Washington would be playing at Dallas Stadium and at the point of the play, there was 18 seconds left in the third quarter. Dallas had the ball at their own 37-yard line with a first down and ten.
The Redskins were on top 20-17.
Dallas was in the I-formation twins right. Washington lined up with a 4-3 and had four safeties on the field.
The Redskins had been running double coverage on Terrell Owens, while cutting underneath the other wide-outs to take away the quick underneath pass.
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