Its Odd How Everything Went to Hell With Just One Int. With 5 Minutes to Go....

[DieHard86]

Up 25-20, we force Detroit to punt. I say, it would be great to get an offensive td with a long drive--to build confidence. Banks cleanly fields the punt. Everything's looking good.

No gain on first down.

2nd down, McNabb needlessly throws into triple coverage. 5-3 disappears, as does confidence in Shanahan, Shanahan's confidence in McNabb, hope for McNabb's future, hope for much of the season even though 4-4 is pretty decent in this year's NFC.

I'm not going to overreact. This team has lots of problems, most of which won't get fixed this year. But they can make the playoffs with what they have. That's something!

[Rypien1191]

Yep, one play turns around a whole season. If that pass is complete, our odds of winning the game are pretty high... theres no controversy, and we have a decent shot at the playoffs.

Now, a loss, a controversy, and likely no playoffs.

Of course, it wasn't as bad as Favre's throw vs. the Saints. Yikes. Talk about ruining two years for a team.

[F-16 CHIEF]

It really wasn't that.

It was the power hungry, ego centered coach, who benched a potential HOF QB. I'm not some McNabb lover, but without him, this team is 0-8. Shanny is a moron. He rode the Haynesworth thing way too long and way too hard.

It's not the action. It's the public humiliation. Who would want to come play for Washington now?

[MDstar08]

1 play didnt decide the season, we're in the bye, still a whole other half season to go

[Sticksboi05]

No, Philip Daniels' penalty cost us the game.

[herrmag]

Curious that the fans' reaction decides the controversy. And/or the season. We aren't a great team. Not surprising. But moving in the right direction. It's not Shanny's, McNabb's, or any PLAYERS' fault that fans have built up unrealistic expectations.

[x96bryan10]

It really wasn't that.

It was the power hungry, ego centered coach, who benched a potential HOF QB. I'm not some McNabb lover, but without him, this team is 0-8. Shanny is a moron. He rode the Haynesworth thing way too long and way too hard.

It's not the action. It's the public humiliation. Who would want to come play for Washington now?

Yeah because Haynesworth hasnt done anything for our team this year as a result. Haynesworth has has 2 if not 3 of his best games since becoming a redskin this year (Eagles Bears and Lions). If anything i'd admit his methods were a bit crazy but the end results speak for themselves.


No, Philip Daniels' penalty cost us the game.

that was a major play of the game if they get 3 instead of 7 all those 2 pts conversions become obsolete and who knows how the game ends.


Curious that the fans' reaction decides the controversy. And/or the season. We aren't a great team. Not surprising. But moving in the right direction. It's not Shanny's, McNabb's, or any PLAYERS' fault that fans have built up unrealistic expectations.

Truth. Everyone thought we were 2-3 years away from competing now because Shanny didnt get it done in the first 8 games he needs to be gone. Seriously some of you guys just make me laugh. I got a little bit of bad news for you guys wanting that Dan Synder has coveted Shanny for awhile its going to take an absolute bomb being dropped by our team to even move the owner in that direction.

[Enter Apotheosis]

It really wasn't that.

It was the power hungry, ego centered coach, who benched a potential HOF QB. I'm not some McNabb lover, but without him, this team is 0-8. Shanny is a moron. He rode the Haynesworth thing way too long and way too hard.

It's not the action. It's the public humiliation. Who would want to come play for Washington now?

You're reading too much into a situation you know virtually nothing about. Also, I'd just like to point out that people have been playing up McNabb's HoF chances a little bit much these last few days as a part of the overreaction to the benching. He's had a great career but it's one that is completely overshadowed by three other QBs whose careers span the same time frame (Manning, Brady, and Brees with Warner also in the discussion as a possible fourth). The lack of a Super Bowl victory really hurts his case as well.

[SMOSS89]

The pick cost the Redskins the game.

The benching has much more implications than just the game, so really, that decision alone opened up pandora's box on Shanahan.

[hail2skins]

Of course, it wasn't as bad as Favre's throw vs. the Saints. Yikes. Talk about ruining two years for a team.

Favre's pick was in a bigger game, but at least Favre can claim that he played a big role in getting the team to the game.

Depressing to think its coming up on TWENTY years since the Skins have played for the conference championship :mad:

[skins2victory]

The pick cost the Redskins the game.

The benching has much more implications than just the game, so really, that decision alone opened up pandora's box on Shanahan.

Yeah I agree, there is now drama in the locker room, and who know what that will do to the rest of the season. All we can do is, hope that this lights a fire under Mcnabb and he plays better than he has been.

[herrmag]

Yeah I agree, there is now drama in the locker room, and who know what that will do to the rest of the season. All we can do is, hope that this lights a fire under Mcnabb and he plays better than he has been.

Is there drama in the locker room? Is there? Or is there drama on this board? Anyone that's ever played a sport has seen a player on their team pulled that was a good player. Are you sure the locker room is as bad as this board is making it? Fact of the matter is, we beat Philthy, and McNabb has a decent game, we'll see the reverse on this board. Neither I nor you knows if there is anything going on in that locker room.

[Sticksboi05]

What locker room drama? All the nonsense is on this board and in the media.

[Frostx08]

Yeah because Haynesworth hasnt done anything for our team this year as a result. Haynesworth has has 2 if not 3 of his best games since becoming a redskin this year (Eagles Bears and Lions). If anything i'd admit his methods were a bit crazy but the end results speak for themselves.



that was a major play of the game if they get 3 instead of 7 all those 2 pts conversions become obsolete and who knows how the game ends.



Truth. Everyone thought we were 2-3 years away from competing now because Shanny didnt get it done in the first 8 games he needs to be gone. Seriously some of you guys just make me laugh. I got a little bit of bad news for you guys wanting that Dan Synder has coveted Shanny for awhile its going to take an absolute bomb being dropped by our team to even move the owner in that direction.

People have a Snyder mindset even though they don't wanna admit it. Just look at the impatience already...kind of sad really. I've seen more patience with new QBs elsewhere

[ArmchairRedskin]

I know it looked like a bad throw at first glance, that INT, but a second look at it and you'll notice that

1 McNabb's arm is hit in his forward throwing motion thus the trajectory is affected
2 it wasn't really triple coverage. There was an LB ( I believe it was an LB ) with his back turned towards McNabb that was headed to where Armstrong was. He had little chance to stop the pass. There was another CB who was in the screen as the catch was made, but he was far enough away that he wasn't really in position to do more than tackle after the catch.

Really that ball only had a chance of being contested by one player and despite the affected throw, it was still placed pretty well. I think theres a really good chance that an unhindered throw would have yielded a catch. I mean, there's no way of knowing for sure, but to me that INT isn't as bad as it seems when you take a closer look at it. It just happened at an inopportune time. I do think that McNabb may be trying to force things too much, but if you see how much pressure he's under it's not hard to understand why. He's gotta imporvise a lot more than anybody would like.

Really, the game shouldn't have come down to a couple of plays late in the 4th. Our offense as a whole has been grinding it's gears for weeks now. It needs to improve. That's the bottom line. Starting with the Oline.

[Dirt]

That is funny.

You could blame it on phil daniels if you want. You could blame Gano for missing some field goal a few games ago. You can blame carlos for dropping picks, whatever.

This will blow over. I really am surprised at all the panic threads, my god. Can we please just let Dallas panic and fall apart please?

[LetThePointsSoar]

Truth. Everyone thought we were 2-3 years away from competing now because Shanny didnt get it done in the first 8 games he needs to be gone. Seriously some of you guys just make me laugh. I got a little bit of bad news for you guys wanting that Dan Synder has coveted Shanny for awhile its going to take an absolute bomb being dropped by our team to even move the owner in that direction.

I agree, and I pray we're right...Shanny is absolutely the answer for this franchise, and we simply need to stay the course...

[RansomthePasserby]

I KNEW this board would go into panic mode if we lost against the Lions.

[panel]

It really wasn't that.

It was the power hungry, ego centered coach, who benched a potential HOF QB. I'm not some McNabb lover, but without him, this team is 0-8. Shanny is a moron. He rode the Haynesworth thing way too long and way too hard.

It's not the action. It's the public humiliation. Who would want to come play for Washington now?

McNabb has done nothing to contribute in our wins. We have won in spite of him, not because of him. He only had a good game against the Texans, which we lost. If we had a game manager QB in the first half of this season, I think we would have 6 wins. McNabb should be our best QB in a long time, but he has not played like it yet. He is having one of the worst years of his career.

[IrepDC]

I know it looked like a bad throw at first glance, that INT, but a second look at it and you'll notice that

1 McNabb's arm is hit in his forward throwing motion thus the trajectory is affected
2 it wasn't really triple coverage. There was an LB ( I believe it was an LB ) with his back turned towards McNabb that was headed to where Armstrong was. He had little chance to stop the pass. There was another CB who was in the screen as the catch was made, but he was far enough away that he wasn't really in position to do more than tackle after the catch.

Really that ball only had a chance of being contested by one player and despite the affected throw, it was still placed pretty well. I think theres a really good chance that an unhindered throw would have yielded a catch. I mean, there's no way of knowing for sure, but to me that INT isn't as bad as it seems when you take a closer look at it. It just happened at an inopportune time. I do think that McNabb may be trying to force things too much, but if you see how much pressure he's under it's not hard to understand why. He's gotta imporvise a lot more than anybody would like.

Really, the game shouldn't have come down to a couple of plays late in the 4th. Our offense as a whole has been grinding it's gears for weeks now. It needs to improve. That's the bottom line. Starting with the Oline.

What you just described is triple coverage. There was a man underneath, over the top, and in front of the receiver. All three of those defenders were responsible for the WR in that area. When someone says triple coverage, they don't mean three defenders are literally running next to the WR. That was the definition of triple coverage and a stupid stupid decision whether his hand was hit or not. He should have thrown the ball away or taken the sack as a last resort.

[ArmchairRedskin]

What you just described is triple coverage. There was a man underneath, over the top, and in front of the receiver. All three of those defenders were responsible for the WR in that area. When someone says triple coverage, they don't mean three defenders are literally running next to the WR. That was the definition of triple coverage and a stupid stupid decision whether his hand was hit or not. He should have thrown the ball away or taken the sack as a last resort.



Triple coverage means that three other guys have a chance to make a play on the ball. That LB wasn't running along with the WR, he was back playing catch up. That other CB was stationary at the time of the catch. Three bodies near in the vicinity doesn't equal triple coverage.This is the NFL. Balls are thrown into small windows all the time. Especially when it's between 5 and 20 yards. Point being is that it wasn't a bad decision, it was a bad throw due to to hit.

[MartinC]

Triple coverage means that three other guys have a chance to make a play on the ball. That LB wasn't running along with the WR, he was back playing catch up. That other CB was stationary at the time of the catch. Three bodies near in the vicinity doesn't equal triple coverage.This is the NFL. Balls are thrown into small windows all the time. Especially when it's between 5 and 20 yards. Point being is that it wasn't a bad decision, it was a bad throw due to to hit.

Guys this was not a bad throw, it was a bad read and a bad decision.

The Lions were in a zone coverage. I've not gone back and watched the tape again as it would be too depressing but I think it was a quarters coverage of some kind. Armstrong was running a deep crossing route (just like he had earlier in the game for a big gain). McNabb read man coverage and lead Armstrong towards the sideline which was right where a corner was sitting in his zone. Armstrong had another DB trailing im from behind and then a linebacker read McNabbs eyes and dropped from a short zone to get involved underneath.

We had Moss running a deeper seam route behind Armstrong. If McNabb reads it properly he either hits Moss deep or he checks it down or just eats it given that we were in a four minute offense running out the clock. What you dont do is throw into coverage.

I like the call, it was agressive and if the pass is completed we get another 3 downs and probably run out the clock just like against the Bears when we hit Cooley in the same situation for a 10 yard gain. What was wrong was the execution.

[Skinz4Life12]

the PD penalty immediately followed by the RD penalty is what lost us this game. I started a thread about it yesterday.

If those penalties don't occur, we cruise to victory

[pointyfootball]

Horrible decision/throw. No two ways about it. You don't thread the needle when you are winning and your defense has done a good job most of the day with that time on the clock.

[Homercles82]

It really wasn't that.

It was the power hungry, ego centered coach, who benched a potential HOF QB. I'm not some McNabb lover, but without him, this team is 0-8. Shanny is a moron. He rode the Haynesworth thing way too long and way too hard.

It's not the action. It's the public humiliation. Who would want to come play for Washington now?

You are kidding me right? Benching a HOF QB whose stats in the 2 minute drill this year are worse than Campbell's is what cost us the win?

If you, or any fan for that matter, felt that McNabb would have drove the team to the winning TD on that last drive, you need to reexamine your thinking. This isn't Madden 2011.

[Rypien1191]

I KNEW this board would go into panic mode if we lost against the Lions.

I think 90% of the panic is based on the benching and its implications. A loss would have just been a downer, but this is something far worse.

[Homercles82]

I think 90% of the panic is based on the benching and its implications. A loss would have just been a downer, but this is something far worse.

No, this is about as bad as the board after the Houston and Rams losses. The benching is just fuel for the fire.

[IrepDC]

Triple coverage means that three other guys have a chance to make a play on the ball. That LB wasn't running along with the WR, he was back playing catch up. That other CB was stationary at the time of the catch. Three bodies near in the vicinity doesn't equal triple coverage.This is the NFL. Balls are thrown into small windows all the time. Especially when it's between 5 and 20 yards. Point being is that it wasn't a bad decision, it was a bad throw due to to hit.

If you don't think that was triple coverage, than I'd like you to show me what is. All three defenders could have made a play; if the ball is under thrown the LB gets it, if it's over thrown the safety gets it, and when it was thrown in front of the receiver we saw that the CB got it. It would defeat the purpose of the zone to have all three defenders covering the same "throw" as you're looking for. Again, triple coverage doesn't mean three defenders running side by side. That was as close as you'll get to triple coverage.

[Botched]

After the St. Louis loss in week 3, there was a poll asking if we had given up on the season already, and at least 50% of the respondents chose "yes". A couple weeks later after the GB win, the poll re-emerged and of course the results changed drastically.

Losing a game makes us a dismal failure. Winning a game means we're a playoff team capable of beating anybody. There's no in-between, which is funny because our record says an in-between team is exactly what we are. :ols:

[PorkSkins]

I'm not giving up on the season. My pre-season prediction was 7-9. One play did not lose this game. However, with the lead and 4 minutes to go, you have to play the odds that you run the ball three times and punt. Then with less than three minutes you have to believe we can hold therm to no TD. We took chances in every other game with the lead and lucked out. The coach for the Lions had to know we would "go for it" with four minutes left to get a first down and run out the clock. Bad call coach for calling a pass play whern you could kill some clock. You can blame the whole Shanahan family for that call.

[Riggins77]

You are kidding me right? Benching a HOF QB whose stats in the 2 minute drill this year are worse than Campbell's is what cost us the win?

If you, or any fan for that matter, felt that McNabb would have drove the team to the winning TD on that last drive, you need to reexamine your thinking. This isn't Madden 2011.

I haven't posted since the game but I'm gonna have to reply to this. It's not about thinking/feeling that McNabb could have drove us down the field for the game winning TD. It's the fact that regardless of his stats in the 2 minute drill this year, he would have given us the best chance to drive down the field for a game winning TD.

Rex Grossman.....really? He gave us the best chance of moving the ball down the field to win a game when he hasn't played much, if at all, since getting kicked out of Chicago?

Difference is, McNabb would have gone down and taken the sack instead of trying to throw it while getting clobbered by 3-4 defenders. He already did it multiple times during the game. No turnover for a TD, we still have a chance.

Also, the penalty on the field goal hurt us a lot. They get a field goal and the same scoring occurs (nobody would be going for 2 pts), then in the 4th before McNabb gets benched, the Lions would be up 27-24. A field goal gives us a tie and makes it a lot easier than moving the ball down the field. We would have started on our 30 yard line and only driven to their 30 (40 yards) to get into decent FG range. Gano isn't automatic, but in a dome, it would have been a good chance he can kick a 47yd FG.

I know there are a lot of what ifs, etc, but a few horrible plays/calls and poor coaching at the end of the game cost us a shot at winning. McNabb threw a huge bomb to Armstrong earlier, who is to say, that wouldn't have happened again? We don't know, of course.

[WesB]

Daniels penalty and the incomplete pass cost the game, not the season. We still have 8 games to go and bye week to fix some things. We can at least go 4-4 over the 2nd half of the season and I'd be happy. It's better than 4-12 like last year!

[Fight for ole DC]

We should have ran the football..... 2nd down, late in the 4th qtr. with a lead, and with poor pass protection all game long. Run the darn ball and punt for field position if necessary. It was a bad play-call given the situation.

[BornToHail]

we couldn't run the ball at all in that game, so I doubt running was really an option. I think in that situation, we want to complete those underneath throws to a) eat up the clock and b) hopefully break a tackle to move the chains. I agree with IRepDC - that was a bad read on McNabb's part, but give Detroit credit: their d-line obliterated our line and McNabb was hit or hurried all day long and that leads to poor reads, decisions, and rushing throws...

[BryanS]

No, Philip Daniels' penalty cost us the game.

I assume you mean that the refs botched the call on the center moving forward. look closely you see him rock forward to begin the snap and stop. This is a false start and not penelty on PD:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/lionsfieldgoal1010.gif

EDIT: It's easier to see with the shot blown up
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/11/was_phillip_daniels_drawn_offs.html

[BryanS]

and how about the missed block in the back on the lions big return that setup the TD? the commentators even commend the block...crazy. KMO is looking at the ball and obviously gets shoved from behind: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81bbe127/Logan-sets-up-Lions-TD-with-punt-return

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1198/5139291383_b44f304e6b.jpg

[Fight for ole DC]

we couldn't run the ball at all in that game, so I doubt running was really an option. I think in that situation, we want to complete those underneath throws to a) eat up the clock and b) hopefully break a tackle to move the chains. I agree with IRepDC - that was a bad read on McNabb's part, but give Detroit credit: their d-line obliterated our line and McNabb was hit or hurried all day long and that leads to poor reads, decisions, and rushing throws...

a) run the ball the the clock keeps moving b) run the ball and tackles could be broken, chains moved. We played right into Detroit's advantage, their d-line blowing up our pass pro all day long. It was a dumb play call given the situation. If we don't make a 1st down punt for field position and hope the D can hold. That way we play to our strength, not the opponents.

[ytrain98]

Anybody else notice that Mike Sellers was WIDE OPEN in the left flat on the play where McNabb threw the INT?

Also, was the offsides on the FG attempt BS or not? London Fletcher said the center moved the ball...

[Rocky21]

With four minutes to play I'd sure like to see us run the ball more, take some time off the cloack and maybe, just maybe, grind out a win.

[sontupelo]

We need to address the directional 20 yard punts. I thought we had the no.1 special teams unit.

[Frostx08]

McNabb has done nothing to contribute in our wins. We have won in spite of him, not because of him. He only had a good game against the Texans, which we lost. If we had a game manager QB in the first half of this season, I think we would have 6 wins. McNabb should be our best QB in a long time, but he has not played like it yet. He is having one of the worst years of his career.

Absolutely nothing? It's funny...I see other Qbs in the league get credit when the team comes from behind to win...like they did in the Texans game

Now it seems like instead...that if the offense isn't exploding, then however we win is all credit to the defense. Mind you...you can argue the defense has lost just as many games as it's won for us.


You are kidding me right? Benching a HOF QB whose stats in the 2 minute drill this year are worse than Campbell's is what cost us the win?

If you, or any fan for that matter, felt that McNabb would have drove the team to the winning TD on that last drive, you need to reexamine your thinking. This isn't Madden 2011.

:ols:

At the end of the day....McNabb is the better chance to lead us down the field for the win. It's not exactly like he's never led the team down the field...perhaps he hasn't done it much with the Redskins but at the end of the day he's still the best option

[Frostx08]

Here's what I will say about what happened. Though he'd probably be bashed for this too...I'd rather McNabb get sacked 3 times and then punt on that play. OR...I'd rather Keiland Williams run 3 times for no gain

Reason being, I saw this as being as bad as running a play before the end of the half like the Cowboys did. The reason you don't do that is because there's always a chance for an interception or turnover. No matter who the QB is...there's always the chance that the ball could get turned over somehow...and it's a quick read so although it's easy to sit here and say "you shouldn't have done that". and he definitely shouldn't have...you don't have all day to look and think behind that line

It's an awkward situation if you ask me. Most teams don't put themselves in that position. They just run the ball even if they have no success...instead calling a pass play where the ball could be tipped...intercepted...or anything of the sort. Granted I see other Qbs make errors late in games but this is McNabb and he's gonna get extra flamed for it

[Peregrine]

I know it looked like a bad throw at first glance, that INT, but a second look at it and you'll notice that

1 McNabb's arm is hit in his forward throwing motion thus the trajectory is affected
2 it wasn't really triple coverage. There was an LB ( I believe it was an LB ) with his back turned towards McNabb that was headed to where Armstrong was. He had little chance to stop the pass. There was another CB who was in the screen as the catch was made, but he was far enough away that he wasn't really in position to do more than tackle after the catch.

Really that ball only had a chance of being contested by one player and despite the affected throw, it was still placed pretty well. I think theres a really good chance that an unhindered throw would have yielded a catch. I mean, there's no way of knowing for sure, but to me that INT isn't as bad as it seems when you take a closer look at it. It just happened at an inopportune time. I do think that McNabb may be trying to force things too much, but if you see how much pressure he's under it's not hard to understand why. He's gotta imporvise a lot more than anybody would like.

Really, the game shouldn't have come down to a couple of plays late in the 4th. Our offense as a whole has been grinding it's gears for weeks now. It needs to improve. That's the bottom line. Starting with the Oline.

I really don't get how you can justify that. It's not the first quarter, its 4 minutes left in the game with a lead. You do not, ever, ever, ever, in pee-wee, high-school, college, or the NFL even think about making that kind of throw in that situation. Worst case scenario, punt and make them drive. And you never throw to where there are 3 defenders, because that means someone else is one on one. That pick is just not justifiable, no matter how much I think anyone tries.

[F-16 CHIEF]

You are kidding me right? Benching a HOF QB whose stats in the 2 minute drill this year are worse than Campbell's is what cost us the win?

If you, or any fan for that matter, felt that McNabb would have drove the team to the winning TD on that last drive, you need to reexamine your thinking. This isn't Madden 2011.

How did that whole Grossman thing work out again?

Enough said.

[Rocky21]

Here's what I will say about what happened. Though he'd probably be bashed for this too...I'd rather McNabb get sacked 3 times and then punt on that play. OR...I'd rather Keiland Williams run 3 times for no gainRight there with ya Frost. Run the ball, kill some clock. Hell you might even get a first down and win the game.

[redskins55]

It didn't go to hell over the play. It went to hell over the benching.

But about the play.. When he dropped back to pass I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. ALL GAME we were getting snake bitten when we dropped back to pass. So you ask your QB whose been getting smashed all game to drop back again? Of course he's going to throw to his go to man! ARMSTRONG! Especially when Armstrong was the only viable option on that play considering the lack of time in the pocket he had and everyone else going deep. When he released, his hand was hit and it took just enough off the ball for the defender to catch up from behind and intercept it. If some people think its all going to hell over that play they should get a grip and understand that we just got whipped up front by the Lions. Cant blame the QB...hell, Stafford threw into triple coverage on Johnson's last TD. When your put into those situations your going to go to your go to guy every time!

I think everyone would be chillin right now had Shanny not opened Pandora's box by the ill-timed benching of McNabb.

[F-16 CHIEF]

McNabb has done nothing to contribute in our wins. We have won in spite of him, not because of him.

You're insane. Have you not seen the tricks he's pulled to keep from getting sacked? Just that alone has contributed to the win against Dallas.

Again, I'm not a McNabb fan, but he's survived and made some throws that simple would never make in a million years. Not to mention Rex or whatever warm body is our 3rd QB.

[Pick6]

No, Philip Daniels' penalty cost us the game.

Yeah it wasn't the INT. The penalty was a ten-point swing.

[#98QBKiller]

Up 25-20, we force Detroit to punt. I say, it would be great to get an offensive td with a long drive--to build confidence. Banks cleanly fields the punt. Everything's looking good.

No gain on first down.

2nd down, McNabb needlessly throws into triple coverage. 5-3 disappears, as does confidence in Shanahan, Shanahan's confidence in McNabb, hope for McNabb's future, hope for much of the season even though 4-4 is pretty decent in this year's NFC.

I'm not going to overreact. This team has lots of problems, most of which won't get fixed this year. But they can make the playoffs with what they have. That's something!

This does put things into perspective. We had played a pretty subpar game up until then but as usual our defense and special teams bailed us out and allowed us to stay in the game and even take the lead.

That pick was a very costly mistake by McNabb but Shanahan made an even more costly mistake when he benched McNabb.

Also, calling for us to go for it on 4th and 10 hurt us a lot too.

I hope we use the bye week to heal physically. Especially, McNabb, Jammal Brown, Torain and Cooley. But I also hope the coaches use the bye week to reexamine their gameplanning strategies and how they call plays.

[paloosa]

The play that really turned the game was the 4th and 1 offsides that gave the Lions the lead. Instead of a 13 -10 lead the Lions got new life and scored making it 14-13. The thing I want to know was it the wrong call? It sure looked like the center moved just like what happened last night with Jeff Saturday of the Colts flinching. The Redskins gave that game away to the Colts because they had 2 INTS but were unable to land any knock out punches on the Lions because of penalties and poor officiating. It seems like the officiating this year is worse than what it was in years past before they changed where the ref is standing. The offense is horrible and needs to get in sync. Hopefully the bye week will help get some of our players healthy and rejuvenated for the last part of the season.

[Frediemac]

That INT was due to the constant pressure he was under. Nuff Said. Bad decision yes! McNabb will be alright.

[Capt Rich Fla]

Diehard, your right. Funny how that one INT came along and it was like Hindenburg crashing to earth in flames.

You may not be ready to overreact yet, but I bet it wouldn't take much more.:pfft:

[addicted]

Its been beaten to death since it happened but the truth is this benching didn't just happen on a single play. To think this was just an isolated incident is pretty silly to me

[Capt Rich Fla]

Its been beaten to death since it happened but the truth is this benching didn't just happen on a single play. To think this was just an isolated incident is pretty silly to me

I think your right. I think McNabb sucks & I also think a bunch of high up people in Philly are laughing.

[skns28]

I will say this about the 2nd down call with 4+ minutes to go..... Should've never happened. The 'Skins had the ball with the clock winding down to the 4 minute mark on 2nd &10 @ their own 26. At this juncture of the game, you need to keep the ball on the ground and milk as much time off the clock as possible, hoping to give Detroit the long field to work with and as little time as possible if no points were scored on the drive. Instead, they decided to pass the ball and it was picked off. Hence, giving Stafford the short field at the 4:32 mark and scored the game winner in 7 plays.

[Frostx08]

I think your right. I think McNabb sucks & I also think a bunch of high up people in Philly are laughing.

You're probably right...and a lot of Philly fans want to see McNabb fail so that it can justify their hatred of him. But when a Philly fan says "this is why we hate him"..it's kind of dishonest, because he never played this poorly for them

I was just arguing with a Philly fan actually. He said "McNabb never threw for more interceptions than touchdowns ever, so now that he does with the Redskins it means he's no good".

Which brought me to ask...if he played much better as recently as last year...in an offense that was one dimensional but one he was comfortable in, how does that mean he's no good? Philly fans are making it seem like this is the McNabb they traded...when McNabb was not struggling with these numbers in Philly. And it can't simply be because McNabb forgot how to play in 7 months

It's like the Chicago game. If he completed over 70% of his passes and had a 100 QB rating against them last year...what happened this year? Again, did he just forget how to play??

[Hubbs]

Good Lord, have I officially become a crazy person? McNabb threw a pass that Anthony Armstrong got his hands on. Yeah, it got ripped out. Okay. It happens. To bench McNabb for that is... well, stupid.

[Redskins4ever]

It wasn't just that Armstrong got his hands on the ball....McNabb threw the ball in triple coverage and it was picked off. Even if Armstrong caught the pass, it was still a reckless decision to throw it to him. McNabb should have either looked for another receiver, scrambled, or took the sack if no one got open.

[ytrain98]

How was the offsides on the FG attempt a ten point swing? Detroit got 7 instead of 3, no?

[gray]

Up 25-20, we force Detroit to punt. I say, it would be great to get an offensive td with a long drive--to build confidence. Banks cleanly fields the punt. Everything's looking good.

No gain on first down.

2nd down, McNabb needlessly throws into triple coverage. 5-3 disappears, as does confidence in Shanahan, Shanahan's confidence in McNabb, hope for McNabb's future, hope for much of the season even though 4-4 is pretty decent in this year's NFC.

I'm not going to overreact. This team has lots of problems, most of which won't get fixed this year. But they can make the playoffs with what they have. That's something!


McNabb should have never thrown that ball. I don't care what play was called. Run the ball on 2nd and 3rd down and then punt if we don't make a 1st down. Terrible play call but even worse decision by a veteran QB who is supposed to be our leader !! If we don't turn that ball over there we more than likely win that game.

[slaga]

How was the offsides on the FG attempt a ten point swing? Detroit got 7 instead of 3, no?
I did not watch the game but I am assuming Washington was kicking the FG. If that is the case, Washington went from scoring 3 to allowing Detroit to score 7. Look at the score had Washiington scored the field goal and again at what really happened.

[RAAZ227]

The overreaction must be carry over from last season.

[pjfootballer]

I assume you mean that the refs botched the call on the center moving forward. look closely you see him rock forward to begin the snap and stop. This is a false start and not penelty on PD:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/lionsfieldgoal1010.gif

EDIT: It's easier to see with the shot blown up
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/11/was_phillip_daniels_drawn_offs.html

Agree with you. And PD's number was the one called. Pretty much most of our line was offsides because of the center.

[ChicagoRedskinsFan]

I'm not giving up on the season. My pre-season prediction was 7-9. One play did not lose this game. However, with the lead and 4 minutes to go, you have to play the odds that you run the ball three times and punt. Then with less than three minutes you have to believe we can hold therm to no TD. We took chances in every other game with the lead and lucked out. The coach for the Lions had to know we would "go for it" with four minutes left to get a first down and run out the clock. Bad call coach for calling a pass play whern you could kill some clock. You can blame the whole Shanahan family for that call.

I don't mind calling a pass on that series because winning football means getting first downs and not giving the other team the chance to come back. McNabb completed a critical pass to Cooley at the end of the Bears game to get a first down and keep the clock running. But throwing a INT on 2nd down is terrible. He should have only pulled the trigger if it's a high percentage completion or throwing it out of bounds. 3rd down would have been slightly more understandable that he's trying to make something happen.