There are two things in this world that manage to bring people together more than anything else: sports and the death of a loved one.
The 2007 Washington Redskins have experience with both, storming to a strong finish by winning the final four games of their season after attending the funeral of fallen teammate Sean Taylor.
Led by veteran quarterback Todd Collins, the Redskins enter the NFC playoffs as the hottest team in the conference.
Collins teams up with running back Clinton Portis to pose a big threat to opposing defenses. Portis became the first rusher to tally 100 yards against the Dallas Cowboys this season in the Redskins' 27-6 victory in Week 17.
The Redskins will face the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs this Saturday—and may have a little revenge in mind.
It was these same Seahawks that knocked the Redskins out of the 2005 playoffs with a 20-10 win in Seattle, after Washington beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wild Card Weekend.
A big difference between that game and this years': Sean Taylor.
Taylor tied for the most tackles on the team in the 2005 Divisional Round matchup with seven tackles—including six solo.
But what the Redskins miss from Taylor’s play on the field seems to be made up in spirit.
How else could Portis, Taylor’s best friend on the team, turn into the top back in the NFC over the last month?
How else could the Redskins beat Dallas by 21 points to make the playoffs, after defensive end Phillip Daniels’s wife showed a picture to the team of the former safety sporting his number ‘21’ jersey with a signature that said “Just Beat Dallas”?
Why else would Portis tuck one of the ’21’ towels in his jersey like a bib, as the clock ticked down in the Redskins’ win?
This team can feel Taylor’s presence. They are playing some of the most-inspired football the league has seen in a long time.
This was never more apparent than when Portis used a touchdown celebration as a opportunity to display a tribute to his teammate. Portis lifted up his jersey to reveal a collage of Taylor pictures on his cotton white t-shirt.
Washington is a team to keep your eye on in the playoffs. Seattle has a very talented team, and is a tough place to play. But if the Seahawks turn their heads on the Skins then…
BAM!
They’ll hit them harder than Sean Taylor.
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9 months ago
Yeah well at least the Seahawks will have 10,000 clowns wearing #12 jerseys, and another 5,000 wearing THE KICKER'S jersey.
Pukefest.
9 months ago
The piece is good, although in my opinion, somewhat flawed.
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Motivation can only take an NFL team so far, and I seriously doubt that it is going to aid them to a win in Seattle.
Not only is it a hostile environment, but the Seahawks are by-far a better football team, especially when all of their starters are healthy (which they will be). The 'Skins beat Dallas by 21 points, most of which coming when the starters were safely on the bench. Oh, and it was at home, with the playoffs on the line.
That wasn't even a real game. That might as well have been a second week preseason game, with the 'Skins really pushing to win.
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Oh, and to Jux, there is nothing wrong with wearing Josh Brown's jersey. He kicked 4 game winning balls last year. Isn't that good enough reason to throw it on?
from 9 months ago
Motivation is one of the "intangibles" in my opinion. It is why the games are played on the field and not on paper or in web forums. Thus far not only has Moss and Portis stepped up their games, but the team as a whole has come together. Moss, Portis and Taylor all played at the U and were good personal friends. For a team that lost 6-games by 8 points or less in the fourth quarter, Taylor's death has been the difference maker. It has pushed them to beat Chicago (where they lost their starting QB), Minnesota (holding Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor to 41 yards), New York (who have the same record in a stronger Division as Seattle) and Dallas (the #1 seed).
FYI Romo played into the 3rd Quarter and Barber played the entire game to reap a grand total of -6 rushing yards...he only needed 25 or so to hit 1000 for the year. Witten only needed 6 receptions to hit 100, he got 2. Dallas is the arch-rival to Washington, they had every reason to play to win that game.
How is Seattle that much better? How many teams did they play with winning records? Answer-3. How many teams did they beat with winning records? Answer-1.
The 'Skins played 7 teams with winning records and won 3 of those. They did it with massive injuries to the offensive line and the secondary. They are the only team in the NFC with a 4 game winning streak, they have the NFC offensive player of December, and one of the most productive backs in the NFC going into this game. They have a coach that has only lost 1 of 9 first round games in his career (where he is the 9th on the all time win list).
So please enlighten me as to how the '07 Seattle Seahawks are in a class of their own in the NFC. And please make a good case as ESPN SportsNation & Doctor Z rate the 'Skins as the better team and Fox Sports have it 51-49 'Hawks...hardly an endorsement for being a "by-far better football team".
9 months ago
These Seahawk fans are whistling past the graveyard. Get ready for this Redskin team. Do not take them lightly. They will bounce you right out of the playoffs, they are THAT hot and THAT good.
And I'm a Giants fan. The Skins can't lose enough games as far as I'm concerned, but they won't lose this one....
from 9 months ago
We should make a friendly BR wager on this one.
The Seahawks win, you develop a nice story about how they are going to take it all. The Redskins win, I do the same for your beloved Giants (if they win) or the Redskins.
Confident?
9 months ago
Bill
sounds fair to me...you're on
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