Redskins Defeat Chargers: Postgame Notes for Washington

A 30-24 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday didn't take the Washington Redskins' 2013 campaign off life support. But improving to 3-5 at the halfway point at least substantiates a pulse.

And fans should get comfortable living on the edge of their seats. 

Here's my six-pack of notes on a thankful Monday morning after. 

1. Luck Is a Part of the Game

During the Redskins' suspenseful push to end last season and claim the NFC East, there were horseshoes, leprechauns and four-leaf clovers that helped the team along the way. But it was no different than any other late-season playoff push we've seen from other teams in the past. Luck is a part of the game. 

On Sunday against the Chargers, the Redskins received perhaps their first dose of good luck all season. 

With 21 seconds left in the game, the Chargers trailed the Redskins 24-21. San Diego was on the Redskins goal line with four chances to move the ball less than three feet. 

First down: a shotgun RB draw that is well-sniffed out by the Redskins defense. No gain.

Second down: an attempted fade pass to Antonio Gates, well-defended by DeAngelo Hall. 

Third down: an incomplete pass (!) to Keenan Allen on the right.

Fourth down: With just seven seconds remaining, the Chargers have no choice and kick a 19-yard field goal. A tie score would send the game to overtime. 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is luck. This is the Redskins getting lucky by way of an opponent's incompetence in a crunch situation. The play-calling by San Diego in that situation—a prime opportunity to win the game—was beyond baffling.

But again, luck is a part of the game of football. And if the Redskins are going to make another run at the division (which is surely attainable), they'll need to have some things go their way. 

2. Third-down Efficiency 

You won't find anyone complaining when his team goes 12-for-17 on third down. Sunday's game was by far the best third-down offense we've seen from the Redskins all year. 

And Robert Griffin III deserves credit for that, as do the offensive line and playmaker Pierre Garcon.

Converting on the game's most crucial down is a key ingredient to winning games. Sunday's efficiency was clear proof of that. 

3. Pierre Garcon

Witnessing Pierre Garcon make an unbelievable catch seems to have become a weekly spectacle for us fans. On Sunday against the Chargers, Garcon made three. 

Not only is Garcon extremely good and a delight to watch, but he's also one of the Redskins' fiercest competitors, and he's a critical piece moving forward. 

Also, it's nice to see the team finally receive good return on its investment of a higher-priced free-agent signing. Garcon has been a stud in Washington since first suiting up in burgundy and gold. 

4. Offensive Line

There's no crowning of the league's best offensive line going on in Washington, but the Redskins offensive line deserves credit for playing better yesterday—one of its better performances of the year.

Griffin had time to throw the ball, he didn't take any sacks, and the only big hit I remember seeing him take due to bad blocking up front was a triple-option pitch, in which Tyler Polumbus couldn't do anything with his man, and Griffin was crushed as a result. 

Alfred Morris went off for 121 yards on Sunday. While much of that was a result of the running back's typical hard-nosed running style, the line deserves credit as well. 

This offensive line is what it is. Inconsistency included. 

5. Inconsistent Pass Rush 

I remember being excited for the Redskins' unique look on defense when they had half a dozen pass rushers on the field at one time, and it was a load of speed for the opposing offensive line to handle. Unfortunately, we didn't see that against the Chargers. 

Instead, Philip Rivers was like a magician in the pocket—escaping pressure, falling into a congestive mound of large bodies and somehow making his way out the other side, only to shuffle his 31-year-old body toward the line of scrimmage and complete a pass.

Entirely too frustrating. 

Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett didn't seem to switch things up too much in the second half either. My only guess is that—with Rivers being as smart as he is and completing passes at an insane clip this season—Haslett didn't want to get caught with limited coverage in the back end. 

The only problem with that, however, is that when your defense can't get a consistent rush without blitz packages, the opposing quarterback generally has a ton of time to sit back and throw. And then your whole respect-the-smart-quarterback-and-don't-send-wild-blitzes idea is completely out the window. 

Another key note regarding the pass rush is how Brian Orakpo was swallowed up by King Dunlap for nearly the entire game. 

6. Special Teams

Two blocked kicks, bad decision-making by Joshua Morgan and subpar return attempts. 

Football Gods, help us. And please save Keith Burns.