For Skins, it hasn't been pretty ...

But they lead the East after first five weeks

ASHBURN – The record, and the season, could look a lot different if Michael Vick hadn’t been hurt; if Clay Matthews III hadn’t been hurt; if that last-second field goal hadn’t veered to the left and clanged off the upright; if the Eagles had hung onto that last-second Hail May pass; and if the Cowboys hadn’t been called for holding on the final play of the opener.

But all of that has happened.

What we’ve learned1. Brandon Banks makes a big difference on punt returns » Banks’ speed and confidence helped bail the Redskins out of potential bad field position on a few occasions. On consecutive returns in the fourth quarter, Banks ran the ball 30 yards to the Redskins’ 40-yard line and then 17 yards to the Redskins’ 25. The first return set up a touchdown; the other prevented bad field position and led to a field goal attempt. The rule among returners is not to field the ball inside the 10-yard line, but Banks was right to do so in each case and it benefited the Redskins.2. The Redskins dislike of Devin Thomas wasn’t about his talent » It was about him performing in music videos or going on modeling shoots in the offseason, among other things. If you haven’t made your mark yet, don’t do extracurricular things that suggest you have. That was strike one against him and Thomas never recovered. Yes, he’s better than Roydell Williams. But Thomas has starter talent and needed to show the Redskins that he had starter commitment. That wasn’t the case. Talented guys with suspect work habits at the bottom of the roster aren’t exactly a coach’s delight.3. Safety LaRon Landry is playing like an elite player » This isn’t a fluke; this is a continuation of what Landry showed this summer. He’ll still make some mistakes — Ed Reed made them, too. But Landry has become the playmaker everyone anticipated when he was drafted. A difference now is that he’s become more studious and recognizes more of what the offense is doing. That helped him on the interception as he read the play and was in perfect position.4. The Redskins have issues along the offensive line » Left guard Kory Lichtensteiger has drawn criticism, but the right side of the line is coming off its worst game. Perhaps it was just the opponent; right guard Artis Hicks had played his best game the previous week vs. Philadelphia. But Jammal Brown is now dealing with a knee injury to go along with a hip that still bothers him while playing a position he’s still getting comfortable at. But it’s not limited to two guys. The breakdowns have occurred each game and it’s why the running game has been inconsistent.

Call it good fortune or a new day; it’s not like the Redskins care. They’re 3-2 after Sunday’s 16-13 overtime win against Green Bay and are enjoying what could be a new era — one in which bad things don’t always happen to them at the end of games.

Redskins Confidential blogRedskins notes» Left tackle Trent Williams and right tackle Jammal Brown both had an MRI on their left knees that came back negative, meaning neither will require surgery. However, their status for Sunday’s game vs. Indianapolis is uncertain. Coach Mike Shanahan wasn’t yet sure if they’d be able to practice Wednesday. Also, Shanahan is uncertain when defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth will return following the death of his brother.» Shanahan reiterated that former Redskins WR Devin Thomas needs to change his ways to become a consistent player in the NFL. Thomas, who was cut Saturday, was claimed off waivers by Carolina on Monday. “Everyone has a different mindset on what work means, what dedication means,” Shanahan said. “All I told him was if he wanted to be the best player, that commitment has to be stronger. … I said [to him], ‘If you want to get to the next level, you have to have a heck of an offseason program.’ This profession is not based on talent; it’s based on people working hard.” » Don’t be surprised if left guard Derrick Dockery continues to be inactive, as he was vs. the Eagles. Dockery is limited to one position, unlike Will Montgomery who can play right guard and center. It appears the only way Dockery will be active is if he can unseat new starting left guard Kory Lichtensteiger.

“We’ve had so much bad luck throughout the years,” Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo said.

Never mind that this is just his second season. He saw enough in his first to understand what has happened in Washington, especially the previous two seasons.

For whatever reason, those negative things aren’t happening now. Sunday was a prime example: The Redskins rallied from a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit. Matthews, who harassed quarterback Donovan McNabb all game, went out with an injury. Coincidence or not, the Redskins threw better when he was on the sideline. A last-second 53-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright or the Packers would have won.

But they didn’t.

The players say they know why.

“You know how the story goes,” Orakpo said. “We got a new coach in [Mike] Shanahan, we got new coordinators. Everything was fresh, brand new, a clean slate. Wipe [away] everything that happened in the past. We got new players. We got a new attitude. Guys are really buying into what we’re trying to do. Not just for this year but for the future of this organization.”

Against Dallas, Orakpo drew a holding penalty on the final play of the game, negating a touchdown pass, and the Redskins won 13-7. Against Philadelphia, Vick was hurt in the first quarter and Eagles receiver Jason Avant got his hands on the Hail Mary pass in the end zone, but couldn’t hold on.

The Redskins say it’s all about confidence, which, if nothing else, allows them to keep playing a certain way all game.

“You’re always going to feel like you can win any game,” Redskins receiver Santana Moss said. “I just feel like right now we have what it takes to be a team every weekend that comes out with a W.

“We had a lot of key players and a lot of playmakers [in the past], but when you’re not putting in the work, you’re not going to win games. I think right now we’re putting in the work.”

And, regardless if they have the NFL’s 32nd-ranked defense or an offense that is 24th in points per game, they’re 3-2 and in first place in the NFC East.

“We’d all like to put teams away early and like to dominate teams,” Shanahan said. “Ultimately, you have to find a way to win.”

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