All aboard the Phoenix Express — the Washington Redskins are heading to the Super Bowl.
A little ahead of things? Who’s playing better than the Redskins? Certainly not Saturday’s first-round opponent Seattle, which lost two of its final three and allowed woeful Atlanta to score 44 points. Surely not Dallas, which looked lost without Terrell Owens with the receiver limited at best for the rematch. And maybe not Green Bay, which barely beat Washington before the Redskins peaked.
Beating New England in the Super Bowl might be a stretch, though don’t rule that out, but things are looking good for the burgundy and gold.
Everything points to a Super Bowl run. The defense patched the hole caused by Sean Taylor’s death. The offense is clicking on both ends. Special teams have always been very good. Even the coaching staff seems rejuvenated.
What was the difference over the last month? Honestly — Taylor’s slaying. The tragedy has refocused the team, made them realize life is too important not to give their best effort. It created a bond inside the locker room only survivors of a disaster would understand.
Let’s not turn the playoffs into some cliched “Win it for Sean.” That would cheapen Taylor’s death. He meant more to them than some slogan.
You can see a new approach by offensive playmakers Clinton Portis and Santana Moss, though. Along with Taylor, the three Miami players were tight. Their lockers are adjoining. Moss and Portis feel a duty to play their best in Taylor’s memory.
Portis went from barely getting three yards per carry by November, looking completely out of steam, into the NFC’s third leading rusher with 1,262 yards. Moss caught eight passes against Dallas, including the game-sealing touchdown, to finish with 61 receptions for 808 yards. When Portis and Moss play well, the Redskins play well.
We’re also seeing something different from coach Joe Gibbs and assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams.
A month ago, Gibbs seemed at his lowest ebb. Maybe enough to consider retirement. But, through his religious faith, Gibbs has led the team through the troubled time. We’ve always heard about Gibbs and his faith — now we’re seeing it in action.
Williams also seems to have emerged stronger from Taylor’s death. The two were extremely close. Williams carries a commemorative coin of Taylor in his pocket during games. Writes 21 on his practice notes. This is the old Williams known as a defensive genius who devised a new scheme sans three starters to shut down three straight playoff contenders.
This is the old Redskins of Gibbs’ first tenure that scared opponents. They’re back — finally.
Keep Feb. 3 open on your schedule.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
