We have gone through quite a few coaches -- four since 1999. We have gone through highly paid burnouts and underachieving players. We have gone through tragedy with the unexpected death of Sean Taylor last November. We have gone through it all ... but all without any more rings, and why? We have a good coach and great talent (and we should for what we pay for it), so what gives?
The reality is that no one thing will get Washington back to glory. It has to be a little bit of everything. First-year head coach Jim Zorn is off to a great start. His greatest strength is his ability to develop quarterbacks, as he showed the league for seven years in Seattle. The offense is finally starting to come together through our developing quarterback, Jason Campbell. Our defense is playing better -- although it occasionally gives up big plays.
One area that needs work is the kicking game. Shaun Suisham has been solid the last two games, but he just needs to make more field goals. He is eight-for-11 on the season, but if you watched the opener, you understand their importance.
On the road to Super Bowl XLIII, the Redskins have several big games.
Two of them have already taken place -- the season opener against the New York Giants, and the other last Sunday at Texas Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys.
They lost to the Giants, 16-7, with missed opportunities and field goals.
In Dallas, the Redskins dominated their formerly undefeated rival. In what was the best day for fans since last December, the 'Skins were able to make a few big stops when it counted. Redskins won, 26-24.
Looking ahead, each divisional game will be a battle -- and a must-win. The NFC East is easily the best division in football. The Giants (3-0) are the defending champions; the Cowboys (3-1), even though they could not handle the Redskins, probably have the most talented team in the NFL for the second year in a row; and the Eagles (2-2), though they have not been notoriously strong in the past, have a solid team and are a definite threat.
Speaking of the Eagles, the Redskins face their third important game Sunday against Philly. In theory, the Eagles lost to the Cowboys and the Redskins beat the Cowboys, so the Redskins should beat the Eagles. If only life followed the transitive property...
The Eagles -- coming off a loss in Chicago -- will host the Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field, one of the most intimidating places to play. With ruthless fans, the Redskins will have to find a way to block it all out and focus just like they did in Dallas.
If Washington can tune out the fans, keep turnovers to a minimum and score often, the Redskins will be in good shape. Winning on the road is tough enough, but in our division this year it means even more.
After Sunday, we have four games before our bye week, three of them at home. The Steelers in week nine will probably be toughest.
After the off week, the Skins face two tough back-to-back games against the Cowboys, at home and against Zorn's former team, the Seahawks, in Seattle.
If we can do it in Dallas, we can do it at home. The Seahawks, however, are another story. They are one of those forgotten rivals that really get me going. I hate the Seahawks.
I hate them the most after our NFC East rivals. Other than the fact that they paid off refs in the 2005 Divisional Playoffs after a completely ridiculous pass interference call late in the game, I'm not sure why.
At this point, my prediction is that the 'Skins will be cruising with a 10-1 record, perhaps a 9-2 mark.
We then face the Giants in a game that should decide a lot as far as the playoffs are concerned. I believe that we can pull out a close one at home, granted the three-day window between the game and the anniversary of Sean Taylor's tragic death. The emotional aspect of this game will outweigh whatever the Giants bring, thus bringing the 'Skins to the top of the standings by December.
At season's end, we are division champions and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Redskins road to the Super Bowl and back to glory is left paved with the sweat and tears of their opponents and the rejoicing of their fans.
You might be interested in...- Column: For now, the NFL isn't passing fancy
- CT Sports Podcast 13: Hoops and pigskin
- CT Sports Podcast 12: ACC, and NFL
