SP: Reactional Observations on the Week 5 Loss to Atlanta

[kingdaddy]

I'm tired of losing to teams that we can beat. At some point this has to be pinned on the coaching staff when we keep losing one score games, especially at home. RG lll's injury aside, we missed an easy field goal and also couldn't punch it in on the drive where he got hurt. The missed field goal is a direct result of the coaching staff to keep Cundiff around, even after his abysmal game a week earlier.He should have never been on this team to begin with. It's also a result of not getting a touchdown and having to settle for the field goal attempt which leads to questioning the play calling. Too conservative in the redzone.
I heard yesterday where the Redskins are in the top 3 of the most penalized teams in football. I couldn't believe it. This also is a product of the coaching staff.
While I like the direction this team is headed, something is holding it back and we always end up looking like the same old Redskins. I thought after week one things might be different but here we are again, sitting under .500 after losing 3 very winnable games. We had Cincinatti tied and twice had the ball at midfield but ended up having to punt.
At what point do we start gambling more and making things happen rather than playing not to lose? Atlanta was there for the taking long before Griffin's injury. The St. Louis loss was poorly officiated and I think that hurt us but that's just another excuse.
We have a gem at QB who has re-energized this entire organization and DC area. It's important to build a winning culture and keep it going. Losing is one thing but at least go down letting it all out. When you have a team down go for the throat rather than running a suspect kicker out there. I see a staff that's playing not to lose rather than playing to win lately. This mentality needs to be changed quickly.
This week is a huge game that we seriously need to win.

[AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy]

I also wonder if people can't just, you know, have a bad game.

This is such a great point, and one of my bigger pet peeves in sports in general. Sometimes teams make plays, and sometimes they don't. It isn't always about assigning blame, sometimes a team just outplays the other.

On the same point, it always bothers me when a "better" team gets beat, and the focus is always on them losing instead of the underdog simply beating them. Outplayed means outplayed, no matter what the spread is.

[Laxpunk2006]

Great OP!

I also wonder if people can't just, you know, have a bad game. The then-undefeated Packers lost to the Chiefs last year. The Packers should definitely fire everyone, right?

You look at our offensive stats, and we're top-ten or top-five or top-one in a lot of things, so we should fire Shanahan because he didn't protect Griffin enough on a scramble. Makes sense.

You also forgot that he's too pass happy. What kind of moron passes down by 7 with >2:00 and no time outs? We should have pounded the rock.