“If I had to coach based on whether the team likes me because we’re winning or doesn’t like me because we’re losing, I’ll be an emotional mess,” Zorn said. “I’m gonna try not to coach like that or feel like that. I hope I’m looking at the bigger picture and the reality of where we’re at.”

The reality is that Washington (7-6) needs a win to stay alive in the playoff race. And this is what they need: the Cincinnati Bengals. More specifically, the 1-11-1 Bengals.

“Guys understand what our situation is,” linebacker London Fletcher said. “We need to win this game.”

For their psyche as well as the pursuit of the wild card.

“There’s been a lot of finger pointing all year and guys are tired of it,” one player said. “There’s a lack of confidence in everything the offensive coaches do.”

Zorn has talked about the lack of execution being factors in the offensive struggles. But he also said he’s turned the criticism on himself.

“These guys see it on video,” Zorn said of poorly executed plays. “And I’ve been in front of these guys saying this is the worst call anyone could make and I made it. So I’m not immune. I tell these guys and I truly believe that we’re all in it together.”

But Zorn attributes that to the frustration of losing four out of five games. He said that’s what contributed to running back Clinton Portis mouthing off on his radio show earlier this week.

“People look around and question things that would never be questioned unless we were losing,” Zorn said. “There are little frustrations and those things come out, low-level irritations. Even the Clinton situation was low-level frustration, just an irritation.”

And the players want to believe because they want to win.

“You have to believe in it,” receiver Santana Moss said. “That’s all you can do. It makes no difference in whatever is going on because at the end of the day you have to make a play.”