Pride Points Vol. 2: Sunday's Game is a MUST-WIN

by BGPride on Oct 13, 2011 1:12 PM EDT

1. Everyone on sports radio is labeling this weekend's game as a defining game, a pivotal game. But I'm going to take it a step further. Sunday's game against the Iggles is a MUST-WIN. And here's why. If we lose, it's taking a monumental step in wrong direction. Not just for the obvious, record-wise and division-wise, but more importantly, mentally. I believe that the upstart of our team, while partially attributed to the offseason additions/subtractions, is due to the overall mental state of the players.

2. These guys are gaining a confidence that a lot of people are comparing to the 6-2 team coming off two big divisional road games (We all know how that turned out). But this confidence is one that can be damaged, and quickly. I compare this confidence to the Redskins rehabbing from a drug, that drug being lack of belief in themselves. This team needs to win a pivotal must-win game, one that they haven't in the recent past. If they do, I believe sky's the limit. If they don't, then I see that locker room relapsing. Let's collectively cross our fingers and hope for the former.

3. If we don't force at least one turnover, either via Vick fumble or pick, we DO NOT win this game.

4. Look, I understand all the generic "keys to the game" being thrown out there: Run the ball, keep their offense off the field, Run the Ball. I get it, but those are always the keys to the game. That being said, I think the blueprint for beating this year's Iggles team has been drafted, proofreaded, revised and the final copy is ours to follow. FORCE TURNOVERS. This team is Top-10 in all offensive categories, including 1st in rushing YPG. Yes, they're defense is having some growing pains, but this isn't why they're 1-4. They are 1st in turnovers. They've had leads, and considerable ones, its the turnovers that's dug this grave for them, and its turnovers that's going to bury them.

5. Anyone else hear about Cooley's sleepover with the JUNKIES this weekend? His wife was on this morning talking about it, and she was saying how if the Skin's lose this game, that Chris is gonna be pounding the liqour HARD all night. Am I the only one who thinks its awesome how Chris Cooley is as huge a fan as the rest of us? Just awesome.

6. Not that anyone cares, but I'm killing myself because I'm not gonna be able to see the game this weekend. Made a prior engagement back in August, didn't even think about it or bother to look at the schedule. Killing Myself. Drink one and enjoy for me!

-BGPride

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Comments

Really going out on a limb here...

But I’m going to take it a step further. Sunday’s game against the Iggles is a MUST-WIN.

What if we lose Sunday and go 10-6. Definitely a big pivotal game, with important implications, but there 11 more after this one.

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Oct 13, 2011 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

Good Point. But...

what if we lose Sunday and go 6-10. I would think that most of us would look to this game as the negative turning point. I’m not saying we can’t go 10-6 if we lose, but there just seems to be more proof that when we lose a game like this, the mental effects on the team prove to be very detrimental to the outcome of the season.

Don’t you agree that its the mental aspect of this team that is driving it to these wins? And that losing this game, a must-win (as many of our players have said throughout the week), that it would damage them mentally? So, logically, that would mean that the team would go into a negative direction.

I’m not saying the addition/subtraction of players didn’t also contribute, I’m just saying I believe that it’s the mental mindset of this team as whole is the largest contributor.

by BGPride on Oct 13, 2011 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

But Hey

An opinion is like an a—well, you know the saying

by BGPride on Oct 13, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

You get it man, you may be my new favorite member.

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Oct 13, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

It’s all just passion for our team!

by BGPride on Oct 13, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

ur right

this is definitely a mental game here, not only does it give us a 4-1 start, but it pretty much eliminates the eagles out of the division race. It’s gonna be a rough one. I’m predicting that the redskins are going to finally put points on the board this week. Rex is going to be clicking with the receivers and we’ll put up 30+ this week.

by alleykatt1000 on Oct 13, 2011 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

I would like

to put up 30 points, but I just don’t see it happening. This is going to be a rough, smashmouth, defensive battle. And the team that forces the most turnovers(and capitalizes), will win. Our red zone effeciency must be better as well.

by BGPride on Oct 14, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

There's always the argument that there's one game you can point to

and it’s that which defined the season. Either the game jump started your season and got you going or the loss of some game turned the season into a uphill battle.
These guys are professionals, I expect them to approach each week with a clean slate, but I do buy into it somewhat. They’re human, they hear the water-cooler talk.
In all honesty, I think this could be our game that decides that for us.
Last year it was the disaster in Detroit that kind of turned the season into a tail spin. In 2005, it was the Monday Night Miracle, in ‘08, it was the Pittsburgh game.
I really think this will be symbolic to the players of where we are. If we win, they’ll be feeling good and ready to work, if it’s a tight loss, depending on what it looks like, they could still feel good. But if we lose this bitch 31-16, I think we could see this team second guessing where and who they are.
So in a way, I agree that this is a must-win, but with the NFL, you could almost say that every week!

by Dammit Cerrato... on Oct 13, 2011 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

*But to counter my own argument and your #2 statement

I see this team as one that CAN get over a loss or retain their confidence. I think that pivotal big win already happened, it was getting past the Giants who had us as their chore boys for the past few years. The difference in ‘08 and now is the new found stability in our front office. Shanahan isn’t going to let guys get away from their mindset, Zorn couldn’t control a fart.

by Dammit Cerrato... on Oct 13, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

by BGPride on Oct 13, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's hope your right

about point 2

by BGPride on Oct 13, 2011 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

If we only get one turnover we lose

We need at least 2 turnovers to counter the two that Rex is good for. I would be extatic if we caused 3 at least.

When life gives you potatoes, make potato salad.
When life gives you shit, make shit salad.

by 64ShagginWagon on Oct 13, 2011 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

Great point

I guess I’m blindly hoping (like I do every week), that Rex is going to take care of the football. Maybe one day :-/

by BGPride on Oct 14, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

One day he will

Next year when he is no longer our starter.

When life gives you potatoes, make potato salad.
When life gives you shit, make shit salad.

by 64ShagginWagon on Oct 14, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

This is important

If we don’t force at least one turnover, either via Vick fumble or pick, we DO NOT win this game.

But so is this:

We need at least 2 turnovers to counter the two that Rex is good for.

If only we could somehow limit the turnovers.

Author @ HogsHaven, Writer for NFLTouchdown.com, Contributor/Scout for Scout.com, Football Coach/Strength Conditioning Coach at Farmington High

by Tiller56 on Oct 14, 2011 6:55 AM EDT reply actions

This is an important game, but I'd argue that

the Arizona game was more pivotal. A loss there could have sent us on a downhill spiral. I think a win this week would be a huge boost – first win against a powerful, healthy team – but a loss could be shrugged off – losing to a desperate team is no surprise in the NFL (and they are 1 1/2 to two point favorites). The Eagles need this game far more than we do. Even if we lost we would likely be tied with the Giants in losses, with a slight advantage in the schedule over them, including six winnable games just ahead.
This is a must win for the Eagles. Lose it, and the playoffs are almost out for them (5 losses and at least four tough games ahead).

by Donnio1234 on Oct 14, 2011 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

When it comes to wins and losses

you have a point, but if you read my post, you’ll see that my arguement has little to do with that, but more about the mental drive of our team as a whole and the damage it could do to them if they lose. Winning this game could be huge to our confidence and team unity, but as someone posted earlier, a loss would have this team questioning who they are, which to me would put us back at square one. We MUST win this game to continue the long awaited progress of this franchise.

Who cares if its a must win for the Iggles. Yeah, I want to knock ‘em out of contention, but for the most part, I’m only concerned about our team and our future.

by BGPride on Oct 14, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions