Beltway Bruising

             The Beltway Battle got off to a brutal start for the Redskins right off the bat on Sunday Night Football. The third play from scrimmage put Washington’s confidence at an season low as a quick turnover was forced when Jason Campbell was grabbed while attempting to throw the long ball, and a lunging Ed Reed made a fingertip catch for the interception. This led to a quick 7-0 deficit that was soon 14-0 due to another tremendous play by playmaker Ed Reed. This time Reed forced a fumble picked it up and took it to the house for 6. Portis was the ball carrier, and as he was pushing for extra yards and a first down Reed ripped the ball loose. As Portis was on his way down to the ground the ball just began to come loose before he hit the ground. A 14-0 deficit was probably the last thing a struggling Redskin offense could afford and it proved to be just that as Washington was never able to recover.

           The Washington offense continued to struggle against a tough Baltimore defense. The Skins could never establish Portis after falling behind, and the passing game just didn’t have the effectiveness it needs to. In the one drive that Washington actually was able to get in field goal territory in the first half ended with a missed field goal by the struggling Suisham. The defense was the only thing keeping Washington in the game, as the two turnovers were the direct cause of the 14 first half points for Baltimore.

 The second half led to more problems for the Skins. Portis was held on the sidelines bundled up, with no word on the reason why, and the offense continued to falter. Once behind 17-0, and failing to cash in for a td in a rare red zone appearance the chances of winning became slim. The Skins didn’t give up though, after forcing a couple or turnovers, and a 4th down conversion for a td, it was back to a 17-10 game. Just when Washington’s defense has a chance to get a stop like they have done all night to give their offense a last chance to tie the game up, they give up a huge td drive to lose the game. Washington let Baltimore run it straight up the middle in the teeth of the defense for basically the whole length of the drive. Baltimore needs to be given credit as they earned this victory, as it was apparent that they just wanted it more. On top of all of this Washington also lost Chris Samuels for the year, and Jon Jansen went down with a knee injury.

            As if any more negativity was needed in Washington following their 4th loss in their last 5 games, Clinton Portis displayed his unhappiness with head coach Jim Zorn and his benching on his weekly radio appearance. Portis didn’t understand why he was benched in favor of Ladell Betts, when he was out there giving it his all. I understand Portis here, as he is the main man of Washington’s offense, but it probably would have been better served keeping this disagreement in house. On the other hand this could serve as the spark that the team needed to get back on track and add some extra motivation. London Fletcher Baker called a players only meeting following the bad press that has been going on after this incident, and Washington can only hope that this leadership can put the Redskins back on track ASAP, as there isn’t much of an option.

            So at 7-6, The Washington Redskins have been pushed to a familiar position. The position of must win football, which they have faced numerous times in recent years. They have been written off, and already awarded the collapse of the season, but it’s not over for them yet. This is not a position that anyone would choose to be in, but the Redskins have shown the success and comfort they feel in this situation before. It also doesn’t hurt that the Cincinnati Bengals are next on the schedule at 1-11-1. This is a perfect way to get the Zorn/Portis feud out of the news, and a way to get the offense rolling.

                                    Peter Lomuscio