...basically the same as your 2010 Redskins. Before everyone jumps on me for being a downer, let's be honest with ourselves. The Redskins are still making a habit of losing games they should win. Until they start winning the games they should win, they are not going to contend for the playoffs.

I really thought things had changed. I hadn't bought into the playoff talk, and wouldn't have until the Redskins were 4-0, as I posted before. But I thought that, finally, for the first time since Joe Gibbs was the coach (the first time), this was a team that would win the games they should win, and a few they shouldn't. Yes, the talent has improved. The team has taken steps in the right direction, as far as personnel is concerned. But until that translates into an improved on field product, there should be no playoff talk.

An honest appraisal of where we are: we have a quarterback who can make great throws, but doesn't know how to hold the ball, and doesn't seem to want to learn. We have an offensive line that can open up holes for the running game, but not consistently enough to be relied upon (which is why the Redskins couldn't put the game away when they were still winning.) We have a defense that can make occasional great plays, but cannot be relied upon to hold onto a narrow lead. Our defensive backfield can be picked apart by a quarterback with broken ribs throwing to second-rate receivers. These are the facts. I'm still going to pull for my team, but I'm going to do so honestly.

Looking ahead, next week will tell us nothing, really. It's another game the Redskins should win, and they should be angry and hungry after this loss. But if they win, the Rams have not looked good, and so as fans we should not take anything out of that. If they lose, then we will have to face the fact that all of those "experts" may have been right.