Skins were 3-0 against Eagles and Cards but failed to make playoffs
Philadelphia rolled into Washington, energized by a three-game win streak that might have saved their quarterback’s future — as well as that of its coach. Not that it mattered. The Redskins beat the Eagles, completing a season sweep.
A few months earlier 2-0 Arizona couldn’t beat the Redskins, either.
In all, the Redskins went 3-0 against the NFC Championship Game participants. Which leads to the question: Why are they at home?
It’s easy to see why teams such as Baltimore and Pittsburgh are still playing and the Redskins are not. Both had dominating wins over the Redskins.
So here’s our best guess:
QUARTERBACKS » Arizona’s Kurt Warner has a 93.9 passer rating in two games, averaging 7.7 yards per pass attempt. His experience has enabled Arizona to be aggressive and Warner isn’t afraid to take a shot downfield.
Meanwhile, Philly’s Donovan McNabb has not posted stellar numbers evidenced by his 74.0 rating. But he did have a 300-yard day vs. Minnesota and converted crucial third downs vs. New York.
Another common thread: few sacks. Warner and McNabb have been sacked a combined eight times.
PLAYMAKERS » Larry Fitzgerald had eight catches for 166 yards vs. Carolina, despite not having Anquan Boldin on the other side. The Redskins had no receiver finish with more than 75 yards in the final seven games.
Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook hasn’t done much this postseason, but he did turn a simple screen into a 71-yard deciding touchdown vs. Minnesota. The Redskins did not have a gain from scrimmage of longer than 29 yards in the final eight games.
BIG PLAY DEFENSES » Philadelphia did not sack Giants quarterback Eli Manning. But they did pressure him, something the Redskins rarely did to any quarterback. Pressure forced Manning to throw an interception, ending with an Eagles first down at the Giants’ 2 — and setting up a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Arizona has converted seven turnovers into 30 points, including 23 vs. Carolina. Arizona end Antonio Smith forced a fumble and dominated at times.
The Redskins have a severe lack of defensive playmakers and intercepted just 13 passes this season. When they needed to make big plays, they could not. It’s why teams controlled the ball on them at the end of games late in the year.
Maybe some of that has to do with age. The Cardinals and Eagles have a combined 16 players who have played nine years or more; the Redskins had 17. Old teams wear down late in the year. The Redskins were an old team. They wore down.
