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Caps Thankful for Varly in 2-0 Win
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Desperate teams are supposed to be dangerous. So who’s more desperate, the 1-11-1 Bengals or the 7-6 Redskins clawing for a Wild Card spot? We think the 'Skins.
No Bailout For The Bengals: There’s no doubt to anyone who passed kindergarten that a team with seven wins should be able to beat a team with one. The question is whether the 'Skins can beat themselves. They turned the ball over three times Sunday and also had three consecutive penalties on one drive. And they’re missing Chris Samuels on the O-line.
There’s also the drama in the locker room. Portis and Zorn apparently had a heart to heart Wednesday about Portis’ public whining over his lack of playing time. If Portis wants respect on the field, he should make sure he gives it to his coach off the field. Regardless, all seems repaired in Redskins world, and we’re predicting we’ll see a little more of Portis this Sunday. That should help the 'Skins fly past the 62 rushing yards they scored last week.
Sunday’s game is the Redskins' either to win or lose. Washington’s defense, ranked 5th in the NFL, should dominate the worst offense in the league, which has scored only six points in the last two games. And there’s no sign the Bengals will make any miraculous turnaround before Sunday. Carson Palmer has been out since Week 6, and the Bengals’ T. J. Houshmandzadeh, who has more yards than Santana Moss this season, did not practice Wednesday because of a hand injury. And has anyone heard from Chad Ocho Cinco lately? Is he playing under a new alias, and we just missed the memo?
The One Where the Redskins Finally Scored A Lot of Points? We wish. The Bengals and the 'Skins are 31st and 29th respectively in points scored this season (even winless Detroit has more total points). Of course, the Bengals are missing Carson Palmer and the 'Skins offense isn’t structured to score Mike Martz-like numbers. The 'Skins haven’t won by more than one possession all season and are too green in the west coast scheme right now to exploit defenses. But since the 'Skins defense should be able to dominate this week, maybe their ability to shut down the Bengals will open the 'Skins up on offense.
No matter what, we at least hope someone briefs Jason Campbell on what a tie in the NFL means.
For the Chips N’ Dip Crowd (those of you there for the food, the beer, or because your boyfriend gave you no choice): Here's a nickname to file for future use. Bengals' wide receiver Chad Johnson changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco (his jersey number is 85). His coach, however, had his own version: he referred to the troublemaking wide receiver as Ocho Psycho.
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It should be the other way around. Portis not only deserves respect on the field but off by the coach. Portis is literally taking years off his career by playing in his banged up conditioned, because he feels that this team can make it this year. It is unbelievable what he is doing this year. Just watch when he goes off to the sideline after a series and basically collapses in pain. Portis is a warrior and the heat of soul of the team, Zorn must be more sensitive to what Portis is doing for this team at the huge sacrifice to his body.
Isn't there some middle ground? Clinton's playing hard, yes, but you can't tell me Betts didn't look sharper when he came in the game in the second half. As Betts showed a couple seasons ago when handed the starting role for several games, he is a good back. I'm not convinced we wouldn't have been better off resting Portis for a couple games to have him here for this stretch run. Having him play injured certainly hasn't made any significant impact.
It's hard not to respect Portis because he is playing injured and wants to push through it and try to get this team to the playoffs. I suspect Zorn knew his star back just didn't have anything left in the tank on Sunday night and eventually pulled him for someone that did. I'm not sure why he didn't just come out and say that.