Week 16: Redskins 10, Eagles 3

December 22, 11:17 AMWashington Redskins ExaminerMark Newgent

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(AP Photo, Nick Was)

The Nutshell
Even though they were eliminated from the playoffs, the Redskins ground out a 10-3 victory over the Eagles on a cold blistery afternoon. Ten points proves enough as the defense holds off the Eagles until the final ticks of the clock. There are moral victories.

Offense
As usual, no great shakes. 245 yards of total offense (122 rushing, 127 passing) even after starting drives with great field position. The failure to produce points and put away opponents when they are on the ropes was the Achilles heel of this team all season. Even in victory this deficiency was all too transparent. I’ve been critical of the Zorn criticism—a lot of it is taken too far. However, the decision to have Suisham attempt a 54-yard field goal—when he’s missed many from over 10 yards closer—was a bad call, given the way Plackemeier was punting that day.

Grade: C

Defense
The team’s one strength was on display today and showed us why they are a top-five defense. The emotional Viagra kicked in, and they refused to surrender the tying score, as Fred Smoot and LaRon Landry stopped Reggie Brown short of the goal line as time expired.

Heck there was even a semblance of a pass rush as Jason Taylor’s sack of Donovan McNabb turned into a fumble, which was recovered by London Fletcher (still think his isn’t Pro-Bowl worthy?). Five plays later, Clinton Portis converted the turnover into the game’s only touchdown.

Greg Blache, who should be coordinator (or at least quote) of the year for his efforts, did an excellent job of scheming to stop Brian Westbrook. Westbrook’s touches were way down this game, and he had only one big play, a 47-yard pass, where he had the mismatch with Lorenzo Alexander covering him with no help over the top. Other than that the defense kept him bottled up.

Grade: A

Special Teams
Plackemeier… Ryan Plackemeier.

Grade: B+

Individual Performances
Ryan Plackemeier may very well have won himself a job next season. In the second half, his punts kept the Eagles pinned deep in their own territory—four were downed at or inside the 10-yard line.

Jason Taylor--two sacks and a forced fumble. A little late but we’ll take it.

DeAngelo Hall keeps making Vinny Cerrato look good (if that’s at all possible) for picking him up out of Oakland—8 tackles and timely pass defenses.

Clinton Portis gained 70 yards and a score on 22 carries. A decent performance considering the Eagles came into the game ranked third against the run, giving up only 2.7 yards per carry over their five games.
 

Up Next: The season finale against the 49ers in San Francisco—the birthplace of the West Coast Offense—and a chance to go 9-7, and bring home a winning season.