Yeah, I said it. Clinton Portis will not be the key to the Redskins' postseason hopes.
Portis, Jason Campbell, and Head Coach Jim Zorn have helped the Redskins' offense gain a lot of ink this year, but the real story is on the other side of the ball.
Now, before the "Portis Posse" starts lighting up the comments, let me be clear: There's no question he's having a stellar year. But the key to the Redskins' winning ways in tight games this year—and their hopes of hanging onto that sixth NFC playoff spot—isn't in the hands of an offense averaging 18.3 ppg with Portis who has a very, very talented and capable backup in Ladell Betts.
The Redskins' postseason plans rest with their defense, currently ranked third in the NFL, holding opponents to 18.1 ppg.
The critical stretch for the Redskins so far this year was a 6-1 run between Weeks Two and Eight, during which time Washington secured road wins at division foes Dallas and Philadelphia, as well as a tight win over Cleveland at home and a key win over NFC West leader Arizona at FedEx Field.
Linebacker London Fletcher and safeties LaRon Landry and Chris Horton (a sensational rookie) have combined career seasons with solid play on the line and an injury-plagued but capable rotation at the corners and outside linebackers to get the Redskins through their toughest contests.
Against Cleveland, Fletcher and crew stuffed Jamal Lewis and shut down the Browns' offense on four consecutive attempts from the one yard line. Washington won by two points.
In a 24-17 win over the Cardinals, Portis only gained 68 yards, but Kurt Warner was held under 200 yards passing and the Cardinal's rushing game was shut down by Fletcher and company.
Against the Eagles, the explosive Brian Westbrook was held to a mere 33 yards, while Donovan McNabb was, like Warner, limited to under 200 yard passing.
And in a two-point win over Dallas, the Redskins held the entire Dallas rushing attack to under 50 yards, including only 26 yards for Marion Barber. Fast-forward to the second Dallas-Washington matchup just a couple weeks ago: Dallas leaves FedEx Field with a 14-10 victory thanks to a 114 yard rushing performance by Barber.
Fletcher's leadership has been key all season, but Horton may be the most critical addition. His emergence as a consistent performer at strong safety has freed up LaRon Landry to show his athleticism and exceptional field speed, roaming the deep middle.
Less than a year after the tragic loss of Sean Taylor, Horton has restored the Redskins' safety tandem to one of the best in the NFL.
Gutsy performances have come from a crew of solid corners—Springs, Smoot, Rogers and now the controversial DeAngelo Hall—battling various injuries. A similar mix of consistent contributors have delivered at outside linebacker, including Rocky McIntosh, Marcus Washington, H.B. Blades, and Khary Campbell.
There is no better opportunity for the Redskins defense to show their colors than this Sunday when they host the 10-1 defending Super Bowl Champion Giants. Keep an eye on Fletcher, Landry, Horton, and company when the Giants have the ball.
If they can hold the Giants to 16 points, as they did in Week One, then Portis (or Betts), Campbell and crew need only post their (rather pitiful) season average of 18.3 points to pull off a critical upset.
7 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dakota smith 7 months ago
are you blaming the dallas loss on the defense???
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Sean Wilson 7 months ago
Defense doesn't lose 14-10 games. Especially against a team like Dallas, with a back like Barber. Offense couldn't stay on the field...
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Bryan Specht 7 months ago
I'm saying that had the defense stopped Barber as they did in the first matchup Washington would've won. Of course you need some offense and you need to score in the Red Zone especially. But when the defense faulters, the Redskins lose.
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Andrew Sable 7 months ago
Holding Dallas to 14 points isn't faltering no matter how many yards barber or anyone put up...offense needs to score points, only reason they were even in the game was because of the defense
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schultz steven 7 months ago
One thing about it !!! THE SKINS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS> WITH A LITTLE LUCK WILL WIN OUR FORTH SUPER BOWEL?WELL HOPEFULLY> LETS GO SKINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO"NT GIVE UP WE GOT THE PLAYERS ALL WE NEED IS TIMING>
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Michael Bailey 7 months ago
We just don't have timing. I think we can still make the wild card, but there is no way we can get far. Im wondering though, didn't last year around this time we came back? I beleave it was the week AFTER Taylors death.
Next year should be good though.
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Bryan Specht 7 months ago
It was prior to this week in the season -- we lost Taylor, then lost to Buffalo on the Gibbs back-to-back timeout debacle. At that point we needed five straight wins to make the wildcard and we did it, just as we needed "five to stay alive" in 2005 when we secured a wildcard. We basically need to win the remaining four games and to get a little help with teams like Tampa Bay, Dallas and Atlanta losing. It's a stretch, but easier than winning five straight, which we did two out of the last three years. I doubt 10-6 gets a wildcard this year -- I think it'll take 11 wins since the North and West are so weak and the East and South so dominant this year. Highly unlikely we win out, but definitely doable. We'll need better offensive line play and Campbell to start releasing more quickly, but crazier things have happened.
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