Admit it — you’re thinking 7-1.
You’re expecting 14-2.
You’re planning for the Super Bowl in Tampa. An early spring break getaway.
The Redskins are an amazing 4-1 with road wins over Dallas and Philadelphia. They have three NFC East home games remaining. Washington only faces three teams with winning records with the 11 opponents sporting a combined 19-29 mark. Three are winless.
Wall Street’s crumbling. Your 401(k) has gone bust. The presidential race is pure mudslinging. There are still troops abroad.
But no one cares around Washington these days. The Redskins are 4-1. “Hip, hip hooray” has become Washingtonians’ rallying call.
Nothing beats a winning Redskins team around Washington. The Capitals open the season on Friday and the Wizards aren’t far behind, but no one will notice those two playoff teams until Redskins’ season ends.
The next three weeks set up everything. Washington faces St. Louis (0-4) on Sunday and Cleveland (1-3) on Oct. 19 at FedEx Field before traveling to Detroit (0-4) on Oct. 26. Barring a letdown, Washington really should reach 7-1. That is, unless overconfidence costs them as it so often does in the NFL. Think New England expected to lose at Miami?
“That’s probably the scariest thing out there for me,” said coach Jim Zorn Monday. “I’m not going to dance the jig because of [1-11 record by next three foes.]”
No, that would be owner Dan Snyder’s victory dance. This may be the Redskins best team since the 1999 NFC East champions that also started 4-1. But, remember that team soon became 5-4 and 8-6 before closing with two victories.
It’s all so fragile. The consecutive night home games against Pittsburgh on Nov. 3 and Dallas (Nov. 16) with a bye inbetween will truly define if Washington is a contender. Indeed, toss in a cross-country flight to nemesis Seattle on Nov. 23 and a rematch versus the New York Giants on Nov. 30 and next month might make the past month look easy.
“Every team’s hunting for us,” Zorn said. “We’ve got everybody [in the NFC East] at home now. They aren’t going to come in here feeling intimidated by us because they’re that good.”
Certainly, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb isn’t intimidated despite the Redskins’ 23-17 on Sunday.
“Not taking anything away from them,” he said, “but there is no way [Washington] is better than us.”
Whatever, Donovan. Have some more Chunky Soup and read the standings. Redskins 4-1, Philadelphia 2-3. Washington was clearly better after trailing 14-0 early. The Eagles only managed a field goal in the final 53 minutes while allowing 23 straight points. How is that the better team?
Even Hillary conceded.
The Redskins will probably endure some hard times later this season. They’re not the second coming of the 1991 Redskins just yet. But, the next three weeks seem like an oasis from everyday problems.
After supporting a team with three playoff seasons in 15 years, Washingtonians certainly deserve some fun times.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
