Crabcakes and Football, Hold the Zorn: 'Skins Punished in Baltimore
Redskins fans who watched the Dallas-Pittsburgh game yesterday afternoon knew the Redskins had been given a gift. Suddenly faced with a great opportunity, the 'Skins could make a quick trip up I-95, get a win, and land themselves in prime position for a Wild Card playoff slot. With new meaning and fire in their eyes, Washington opened the game with their typical three and out—handing the ball to the Ravens, who marched downfield for a quick touchdown. So much for that.
The first three quarters ended up being a complete disaster, especially the first. After the first Ravens touchdown, the Redskins coughed up a “fumble,” which was a questionable call at best, and Ed Reed ran it in for a touchdown to put the Ravens up by 14. The game was out of reach from that point on. Sacks, interceptions, fumbles and endless penalties mounted, and the better team prevailed 24-10.
What’s truly disturbing about these Redskins is the fact that they appear to be getting worse. Aside from the myriad injuries (Clinton Portis ended up out, as did both starting tackles), mistakes and lack of discipline appear to be a very real problem for this team. Like last week’s game against the Giants, it was obvious that the Redskins were outcoached by the opposing team. Misdirection confused the defense over and over, and blitzes from different angles left the Redskins offense powerless and unable to move the ball.
Those who had deified Zorn earlier this season are now starting to curse him. In the fourth quarter, after a 3rd and goal play (a screen to Ladell Betts) that left the Redskins with a 4th and goal from the five, the cameras closed in on Zorn, attempting to see what strategy the crafty coach would employ. I may not be a professional lip reader, but I rewound the DVR three times, and you could read Zorn's lips. It appears that asked, “What down is it?” I sincerely hope I’m wrong.
AP Photo/Rob Carr
Not that it matters at this point. The Redskins' playoff hopes are shrinking and the players appear to be losing faith in each other. The truth is that this team may not be talented enough to compete with the better teams in the league — and most certainly not clever enough to compensate.
So the Redskins have lost 4 of 5 and are nearly out of contention, it is arctic cold outside but there has been no snow, we’re in a full recession, and the man that introduced most of the world to Turducken (John Madden) admitted he “doesn’t trust” crabcakes. This has to be the bottom.