1. The Redskins are not a playoff team. That was true before the season, when they were 4-3 and it’s especially true now that they’re 4-5. But this should not be a shock to anyone. The Redskins might be an older team, but they are not a win-now team — they’re more stopgap. Win now teams have numerous key players in, or entering, their prime. That does not describe many players on this roster. They just had too much repairing to do and will face a similar situation this offseason, too. How many players on offense can you see being key players two years from now? Work remains.
2. The Eagles have Jason Avant as their No. 3 receiver (5 catches, 76 yards, one touchdown vs. Washington on Monday). The Redskins have Joey Galloway (nine catches, 141 yards, no touchdowns in nine games). Is there a reason to continue this failed experiment? Galloway has been targeted 32 times this season. He’s caught nine passes. And three of McNabb’s 11 interceptions have come on passes to Galloway. That’s a high sum considering how few passes have gone his way. There seems to be an urgency lacking in his route-running, which enables corners to jump routes, as the Eagles did Monday night. Still hard to see what he adds at this stage of his career.
3. Washington lacks the interior to effectively run the stretch play. Considering how important that play is to the offense, this is what you call a problem. It’s been true all season that runs get blown up or at least altered because the defensive tackles are getting too much penetration. Other times they slide down the line and they tackle the runner for, say, a four-yard gain. If that person is blocked, a 10-yard run would have been available.
4. Michael Vick is the scariest quarterback Washington has faced this season, which says a lot considering those on the list: Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Schaub, Tony Romo and even Jay Cutler. But there were a few plays Monday where another quarterback would have had to throw the ball out of the end zone. Vick bought himself time and made plays out of nothing. Yes, the Redskins could have signed him last offseason, but he landed in such a better spot. The Eagles have a strong organization and arguably the best combination of coach/quarterbacks coach in the NFL in Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg.
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