Washington Redskins Are Who We Thought They Were, Just Let Dallas off the Hook

As a self-appointed "Referee of Life," I need to just call it like I see it.

I know, I know...that's probably not the best of metaphors considering how poorly officiated the Monday night battle between the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys was, but I think a little perspective is required in the wake of this ugly 18-16 Redskins loss.

The Redskins didn't show us anything we didn't already know. Did we think this was a playoff team? Probably not. Did we enter the 2011 season thinking this was a title contender? Not even the cross-dressing, snout-wearing fans drunk on Burgundy-and-Gold Kool-Aid went there.

Washington is, and always was, supposed to be a work in progress. That's not just lip service to temper expectations. That's the gospel truth.

This team has more rookies and first-time starters than we're used to, so they won't be consistent like a playoff team. Nor will they bring their A-game on a weekly basis like a title contender. Every once in awhile, this team is gonna look good like they did against the Giants. Other times, they'll crap the bed in a game they should win simply because they still have a lot to learn and a lot of holes to overcome.

The offensive line is average at best. That means a hit-or-miss rushing attack and some days when Rex Grossman is forced to run for his life when matched against a stiff pass rush.

The defensive backfield lacks that steady corner who can lock down on the opposition's best receiver in the clutch. DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson make their fair share of big plays, but neither would be accused of being a shutdown corner.

That's what we saw in Dallas. The Redskins were healthier (and probably better) going into this game. But their weaknesses were exposed, and some mental lapses led to a sloppy performance. Luckily for them, the Cowboys were just as bad (if not worse). Not so lucky for them, the Cowboys have a playmaker at quarterback instead of a journeyman underachiever.

More than once, I've heard the 2011 Redskins compared to the 2005 team that made it to the divisional round of the playoffs. I'm not sure I buy that wholesale, but I can see the similarities.

Much like that 2005 squad, the current Redskins run a ball-controlled offense based in the run, play sound defense and don't ask the QB to win games on his own but to simply play within himself and not screw it up with turnovers. Jury's still out on whether Rex Grossman was the right choice for that role, but he hasn't been a total bum—he's posted a higher QB rating than his opponent in each of his three starts this year.

Bottom line, this team has a winning formula. It's not a formula that works 60 percent of the time, every time (thanks Brian Fantana) but it is one that allows a team in transition to build confidence and a winning attitude.

I'm not saying this is a playoff team per se (no need to back off my 8-8 prediction just yet), but I am saying this is a team we can embrace because it falls in line with what Redskins football is about: a competitive team whose sum total is better than its individual parts.

Don't get me wrong; I hate losing to Dallas as much as any other card-carrying member of Redskins Nation. I just see this as more of a growing pain than a sign of things to come.