There’s no winning a game of What If. “There have been so many games where it has come down to one play in the fourth quarter,” Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said. “There have been eight or nine games where it could’ve gone either way. The fact that our guys have battled throughout the season and we can kind of hang our hats on that and just believe that if we can just add a few more pieces to the puzzle, we’ll improve dramatically next year.”
Frazier’s comments mirror ones often heard after Washington Redskins games this season. As the two teams meet Saturday at FedEx Field, they are playing that game of What If near the end of losing seasons. The Vikings lost eight one-score games. A touchdown here or there might have left them 6-8 instead of 2-12.
Certainly, the Redskins’ 23-10 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday caused players to reflect on the ills of a 5-9 season.
If cornerback DeAngelo Hall made one more play in each of the Dallas losses, the team still would be in the NFC East hunt.
If kicker Graham Gano didn’t miss two chances in the overtime loss to Dallas?
If coach Mike Shanahan hadn’t tried quarterback John Beck for three losses?
What If could apply to most Redskins losses this season. Washington could have won as many as six of its defeats.
And there’s the danger, the tease this franchise never overcomes.
The Redskins are not a playoff contender no matter how often they rationalize losses. The New England loss was a perfect example. Every time Washington scored, New England countered. The defense couldn’t stop the Patriots.
Washington seldom delivered a knockout blow this season. The defense disappeared for a few games at midseason and made few game-deciding stops. The offense settled for too many field goals.
The Redskins aren’t on the cusp of contending. It’s not as simple as reversing five one-score losses. They need a quarterback who doesn’t throw 18 interceptions, a secondary that can stop big plays and a big receiver who dominates in the red zone.
Washington could use players who don’t get suspended four games for recreational drugs or banned substances.
How about team captains who aren’t suspended for drug use or penalized for throwing a penalty flag after his own miscue? If those are leaders, the Redskins are better off with anarchy in the locker room.
Even though this is its third straight losing season, Washington is improving. With good health, the Redskins could be a playoff contender next season. More likely, they’re at least two years away.
Bill Parcells was right when saying teams deserve their record. The Redskins certainly will have earned a likely 6-10 finish. No What Ifs about it.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
