The Washington Redskins continue to be the biggest tease this side of a Bourbon Street cathouse.
First and goal at Philadelphia’s 3-yard line trailing 21-16 in the waning minutes and the FedEx Field faithful sensed a victory that would silence the many Eagles fans around them. Instead, a stuffed run, missed pass, senseless penalty and sack forced a field goal.
But that was OK. The offense seemed capable of one more field goal if the defense could stop the Eagles with 4:52 remaining. Instead, Philadelphia ate the clock to deny Washington one last chance.
The 84,164 fans slipped away with the hush of a funeral procession. The Redskins are 4-9. No winning season. No more playoff hopes.
You know it’s a bad day when Mrs. Claus aboard the halftime float resembles Martha Washington; when Jason Campbell continues to look like a green quarterback with two picks costing 14 points; when penalties remain a persistent plague.
The 21-19 defeat on Sunday was the Redskins fourth loss in five games this season decided by three points or less. Indeed, Joe Gibbs is 6-10 in games decided by a field goal or less since returning in 2004. The Hall of Famer is supposed to win more of those. Instead, we’re left wondering …
» What if Campbell played since the season’s start? Would he have been baited into an interception by a linebacker just lying in wait on the slant?
» What if Ladell Betts was given more of a primary role in past years instead of experimenting with other runners? Would the Redskins have wasted a third-rounder on big back T.J. Duckett, who was stopped on a goal line run Sunday and has done nothing this year?
» What if Antwaan Randle El was given more touches? Could he have delivered more games like one touchdown reception and a deep throw versus Philadelphia?
» What if the salary cap was better managed in recent years and some of the defensive players like Ryan Clark and Antonio Pierce were kept? Maybe opponents couldn’t rough up the Redskins for big plays when needed.
» What if late owner Jack Kent Cooke better managed his estate and kept the team from falling into its current hands that have mishandled it?
“What if” should be the title for the season’s highlight reel. A team once foolishly expected to contend for the Super Bowl once again lost a winnable game. It’s a tired script.
Now the Redskins will spend the last three weeks wondering if the coming offseason will bring massive changes once more and if both coaches and players will be replaced; if those fans with expiring 10-year leases on premium seats renew despite near50-percent increases or leave an empty ring in the middle of the stadium.
All we truly know is this franchise is a mess that doesn’t have any answers.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
