Offensive line guru Joe Bugel was right — smashmouth wins games.
Running back Clinton Portis silenced naysayers with 196 yards. The offense gained 431 yards. Maybe they sputtered too often for five field goals, but the Washington Redskins reached midseason 5-3 with a 23-30 overtime victory over the New York Jets Sunday.
“That was more the look of what I envision Redskins football being,” coach Joe Gibbs said. “We had not been rushing the ball that well. We were disappointed in ourselves. Up here you have to have great balance. Hopefully, that’s something we’re going to be able to lean on.”
Portis has been saying lean on him for weeks. The problem is the former Pro Bowler hadn’t produced this season. Maybe it was the makeshift line, maybe it was a lingering problem from last year’s injury, but the Redskins didn’t seem to trust Portis. He only rushed 20 times once and averaged 2.5 yards the last two games.
Portis kept preaching patience. The team’s single-season rushing leader hadn’t lost it. He just needed a rhythm.
The Redskins let him a waltz past the Jets. He ran 36 times, twice as many carries as six of his games this season. The more Portis ran, the more he produced. The 32-yarder launched the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. The winning drive saw Portis run for 10 and 14 yards while finishing with 34 yards on six carries.
“The last 2-3 weeks he has been setting his jaw,” Gibbs said. “It was something where he was saying give it to me and certainly we did.”
Equally important was Ladell Betts gaining 64 yards on nine carries. The Redskins succeed when both backs deliver as Washington rushed for 296 yards overall. Still, Portis is the gamebreaker and the Redskins have sorely missed his big plays this season.
The Redskins are essentially renting Portis for the rest of this season. His salary cap increase next year means Portis has eight games remaining locally. The Redskins might as well gas him out before finding another runner.
Bugel may have finally meshed the right side after losing the tackle and guard by week two. Indeed, Portis kept hearing the backside was open early in the game. He finally went to the right for long gains.
The running game will decide whether Washington (5-3) can reach the playoffs. NFC East foes Philadelphia and Dallas are next. Washington’s historic success has always meant out-slugging division rivals.
But, that means finishing drives. The Redskins can’t seem to throw effectively in the red zone. They’re the only team without a touchdown pass to receivers. Letting kicker Shaun Suisham kick five field goals is dancing with defeat.
If the Redskins want to start knocking out opponents, they need to smash them in the mouth.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
