Matt Bowen, The Examiner
2007-09-19 07:00:00.0
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WASHINGTON -

When a Greg Williams defense is called upon to end a ballgame, it usually doesn’t disappoint.

The offense failed to shut the game out on their final possession as they went for the dagger with a play-action pass that fell incomplete. Although the defense slammed the door, the offense needs to close out these types of games. Catching the Eagles with a play-action pass was a nice call — even a daring one — but with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts, this team needs to run the football, secure some first downs, and kneel on it at the end, sending everyone home happy and without an ulcer.

However, I think Williams and the defense embraced the fact they had to win it.

After a game plan dominated by cover 2 and some eight-man fronts against Miami, the Redskins lined up in the face of the Philly receivers and put the kind of pressure on McNabb we are used to from a Williams defense. Every third down was a mix of man-free pressures; with Sean Taylor roaming the middle, and zone pressures with combination coverages behind them and rookie safety LaRon Landry constantly pressuring McNabb, or plowing through a receiver like he did on the game’s last play. On the rare occasions he had time to throw, like in the last red zone stand, a defender was in his face. It was a brilliant defensive game plan. Teams have to win third downs in this league to be efficient, and the Redskins did it for the second consecutive week. Except for one cover 0 blitz where Carlos Rogers gave away his inside leverage, the Skins dominated third downs, holding the Eagles to four of 16 conversions. That is Williams’ major coaching point in every game, and in every practice. Get off the field on third downs, and you will win.

The Redskins’ corners were impressive, as was Williams’ pressure package. Holding Philly to four field goals at home is remarkable. The offense did enough to score, and any time you hold an opponent under 16 in this league, you should win. This team may have surprised some people with their 2-0 start, but they will only get better. With the broken-down New York Giants coming to town, and Dallas heading to Chicago for a prime time match-up, the Redskins could soon find themselves alone atop the NFC East.

Former Redskins safety Matt Bowen, a seven-year NFL veteran, contributes a weekly column to The Examiner during the NFL season.