Team optimistic despite six-game skid ASHBURN — They bemoaned the missed opportunities, pointing to the usual suspects: turnovers, big plays allowed by the defense and missed field goals.
For once, however, they didn’t blame the offense’s inability to score. And that’s why the mood in Washington’s locker room a day after its 27-24 overtime loss to Dallas was much better than it had been in recent weeks.
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Yes, they’re still on a six-game losing streak. They’re now 3-7. Their postseason shots faded long ago. But they entered this week with more hope about their chance for snapping the skid. They weren’t exactly giddy; they were more upbeat.
“There is no moral victory column, but it is a building process,” Redskins nose tackle Barry Cofield said. “It’s definitely promising. It’s a team that sits atop our division, and we could have beaten them twice.”
The problem is, they didn’t beat Dallas twice. Instead, the Redskins lost twice because of untimely big plays and two Graham Gano missed field goals, including a potential game-winner from 52 yards. And those mistakes continue to haunt them. But this was also the first game they’ve had a chance to win on their last drive during this losing streak.
Another reason for a renewed outlook: better injury news. Left tackle Trent Williams only suffered a grade one sprain of the MCL in his left knee, and there’s a chance he’ll play Sunday at Seattle. Corner Josh Wilson, who exited Sunday in the fourth quarter, has a grade one strain of his hamstring. He, too, might play Sunday.
Coach Mike Shanahan said he hopes safety LaRon Landry, who did not play Sunday because of a sore Achilles, can practice this week. Landry did not practice at all last week. And receiver Santana Moss, who has missed the past four games because of a broken left hand, will try to catch passes Wednesday. His status for Sunday remains uncertain.
But the players weren’t focused on injuries. Rather, they turned toward their performance.
Some pointed to a half-dozen players addressing the group in their meeting Saturday night, including quarterback Rex Grossman, center Will Montgomery, receiver Jabar Gaffney and Moss.
“It was long overdue,” fullback Darrel Young said. “That motivated me. They want to win, and I want those guys to win.”
Gaffney said, “We went out there with more fire and wanted to win. We wanted to win real bad. It was just time to fight back. It was Dallas.”
The 24 points represented the highest total by the offense this season. Washington scored 28 vs. the Giants, but seven came via the defense.
“It’s crazy, [but] we never lost confidence in this offense,” Young said. “Guys didn’t panic. We’re building on something.”
But, again, they still lost. Had the offense scored 24 points in every game this season, the Redskins would be 8-2. Of course, it doesn’t work that way.
“We didn’t get the stops we needed, especially in key situations,” Cofield said. “That’s why we lost. We definitely take the blame. We know we can play better and that we have played better.
“I caught some flak for seeming really down after [the Miami loss] but as depressed as I was last week I’m optimistic this week about some of the things we did. Offensively we played great. And they gave us a chance to win. Defensively, I know we have the guys who will respond, and we won’t let those guys down next week.”
