Playmakers on both sides of the ball helping the team win close games
The fullback headed towards the line of scrimmage, trying to sell the run. London Fletcher didn’t buy it. Instead, Fletcher sprinted toward Cleveland’s fullback Charles Ali, who veered off to the right flat awaiting a pass. When he caught the ball, Fletcher caught him, dropping him for a two-yard loss.
Later in this fourth-quarter goal-line sequence in Sunday’s 14-11 win over Cleveland, corner Carlos Rogers spotted the play. So after starting in man coverage on the outside, he allowed receiver Braylon Edwards to race inside where safety LaRon Landry awaited. And Rogers stayed wide where he disrupted a pass play to running back Jason Wright — who had a step on Fletcher.
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“London had his back turned so I’m glad I came off [Edwards],” Rogers said.
The Redskins’ veteran savvy enabled the defense to post one goal-line stand and nearly another. But it’s also a reason, combined with the same trait offensively, why Washington continues to win close games.
The Redskins (5-2) have played six straight games decided by a touchdown or less. They’ve won five of them. They had a similar stretch last year, but went 2-4.
Washington is the only team in the league with more than three wins by a touchdown or less. Denver had three entering last night’s game vs. New England.
“You’ve got to say that it’s something inside the locker room,” Redskins tight end Chris Cooley said. “It’s not coaching. There’s something special about this team.
“It could be that we’re a veteran team. It could be that we’re just a hard-working team. We’re close. We trust each other.”
Of course, there’s a flipside to winning close games. It means you’re always playing close games. There’s a reason.
“We’re not a dominant team,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said.
But they are making the right plays at the right time. The opposition sometimes helps; Cleveland misfired on several passes on its last drive Sunday. However, the offense has helped in some games with long time-consuming drives.
Experience helps. Although safety LaRon Landry is in his second season and safety Chris Horton is a rookie, everyone else on defense is in at least in their third year.
“We respond better when it’s close,” receiver Antwaan Randle El said. “We have guys who are experienced in big games, playoffs. They have an understanding of what it takes late in games. You get used to it and that experience shows.”
That was true at the goal-line on the pass that Fletcher defended.
“Coach [Greg] Blache always talks about keeping your eyes on your work and understanding coverage responsibilities,” Fletcher said. “I was anticipating that play.”
