Detroit was supposed to be unstoppable. The Redskins checked them to a field goal. Then Green Bay was the No. 1 offense. The Packers managed 10 points aside the defensive touchdown.
Now comes the ultimate test — Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Brady is making Peyton Manning look like a has-been just eight months after the latter’s Super Bowl victory. No one is talking about Indianapolis. Fantasy leaguers love Brady. He threw six touchdowns against Miami on Oct. 21 and didn’t even play the whole game.
Yet, Washington can beat New England if the defense and special teams continue their outstanding seasons. The offense is limping along, but if assistant head coach Gregg Williams continues to befuddle opposing offenses, it’s not impossible.
Improbable, yes. Don’t bet this game no matter how many points you get. Unlike Detroit and Green Bay that may not even make the postseason, New England might enter the playoffs undefeated. The NFL took away their sideline signals camera. The Patriots are now taking away opponents’ dignity.
Nobody has manhandled Washington’s defense, though. Oh, Arizona madethat prevent defense look silly in the final minutes of the Redskins 21-19 victory, but no one has ruled regularly for more than a series or two.
Unfortunately, Washington may be more vulnerable this week. Fred Smoot’s hamstring is a problem again. Shawn Springs is dealing with his father’s grave illness. No one knows if Springs will even make the game. At best, he plays with a heavy heart. That leaves Carlos Rogers as the big dog and so far he just hasn’t been the player expected with the ninth pick of 2005.
If Washington’s secondary isn’t 100 percent, it could get uglier than Nancy Pelosi kissing Alan Greenspan. Brady has thrown at least three touchdowns each game and a record 27 overall after seven games — three more than Manning’s pace when throwing a seasonal mark of 49 in 2004.
The Redskins safeties have to go head hunting and that still won’t discourage Patriots receiver Randy Moss, who’s bigger than they are. Moss has 10 touchdowns and 44 catches while sidekick Wes Welker has 47 receptions and five touchdowns. Seven Patriots have caught touchdowns. The offense is just unstoppable.
The Patriots have scored 279 points, third-highest ever after seven games. Washington has 123 in six games. You do the math on this outcome.
But, never discount a great defense. Washington’s special teams was the difference over Arizona. That’s two aces. Not always enough to take the pot, but sometimes works in a bluff.
This is a staredown. After facing the two top offenses earlier this season, the Redskins won’t blink first.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
