No one knows what to make of this team. If I sound more confounded, week to week, it’s because I am, and I imagine I’m not alone. I think we all know that if they’re going to win, they’re going to win ugly. The Redskins will labor over every win they get this year, because the chance for potentially easy ones just passed with successive games against the Rams, Lions, and Bucs. The great stat of the year so far is that the Skins have yet to face a team with a win in 2009 (counting the Giants who came into Week 1 at 0-0, natch). The Carolina Panthers are similarly winless, but ultimately more talented than any of our last three opponents, and certainly more talented than our boys. I have to take Carolina over the ‘Skins, 24-13.
The nice thing, though, is that we can dispense with the apocalyptic stuff after this one is over. This team came out to a must-win, pride-on-the-line home game last week against a miserable opponent, and somehow managed to play their absolute worst half of football in recent memory. It was astonishing, to be frank, and actually somehow served to make the second half enjoyable: a great long distance hookup from Campbell to Moss, a Cooley TD, some tough between-the-tackles running from Portis, and a game-clinching forced fumble by rookie Jeremy Jarmon.
In short, it was a reminder that the pressure’s off. Not off Zorn (who then learned he was getting a new “consultant” in Sherman Lewis to help him out), nor Campbell (who continues to be ripped apart by league “analysts”), but off the fans who know better. Each win will be a pleasant surprise, each sign of competence (by the players, not the ownership, mind you) an added bonus.
Unfortunately, I don’t see many of those coming today. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme might be under more fire than Jason Campbell, given the number of interceptions he’s thrown since last year’s playoff meltdown against Arizona. The Panthers come off a bye week, having struggled in a dull loss to the Cowboys two weeks ago. They should be rested and ready to pick up a first win against their softest opponent so far this season. Does anyone actually see the meek Redskins putting up much resistance?
