» The Redskins might have the No. 1 pass defense statistically, but that’s more a reflection of the bad quarterbacks they’ve faced. Washington has faced five quarterbacks with a passer rating of 78.8 or worse — and only two with a rating better than 90. Sunday, Kyle Orton threw for 193 yards in the first half, with two touchdowns. Had he not gotten hurt — or had Chris Simms been halfway decent — the Redskins would have dropped out of the No. 1 spot. Six of the next seven quarterbacks they’re scheduled to face have passer ratings of 89.5 or better.
» LaRon Landry could use a lesson from fellow safety Reed Doughty. The latter stuck to what the coaches had told the safeties: Do not abandon your deep responsibility. Landry did just that and left Brandon Marshall open for a deep post. Later in the second quarter, Orton had a play-action and wanted Marshall deep down the left seam. However, Doughty stayed back and corner Fred Smoot had Marshall on the other side. So Orton went elsewhere. Landry still has a lot to learn.
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» The Redskins can play disciplined, at least when it comes to penalties. After committing 10 vs. Atlanta, the Redskins were flagged just twice vs. Denver. One happened to come on the failed fourth-and-1 in which Mike Sellers, lined up as the tight end on the right side, was shoved back and then held. But, outside of some defensive back play, the Redskins’ discipline helped win the game.
» It’s not just Albert Haynesworth or a different offseason workout regimen that is helping Andre Carter get more sacks. Sunday, on one sack, it was the play design. In the third quarter, with Carter at right end in a three-man front, linebacker Rocky McIntosh lined up inside him. At the snap, McIntosh took two steps up as if he were blitzing and the left tackle froze. McIntosh then dropped and the tackle returned to Carter. But by this point Carter had the edge and got to the quarterback.
