Redskins Loss Leaves Less Room for Playoff Spot

By Eeeeeeeeegs

OFFENSIVE LINE INJURIES

The Redskins had not laid a finger on Eli for 3 quarters.  Then, Eli got mauled from his blindside on the last two drives.  We needed to patch up the line to win the game.  We couldn't do it.

OT David Diehl had been hurt.  When Will Beatty was injured, Diehl came in for him at left tackle.  When Sean Locklear tore his ACL, Beatty had to go back in and play hurt at left tackle. Beatty couldn't even get out of his stance.  

I hope we figure this thing out because Locklear is not coming back.

On the bright side, 9-7 may be good enough for the second wild card, and we have a tiebreaker advantage on everyone with our conference record and common opponent success against GB and SF.  I believe beating New Orleans will give us a 90% chance to make the playoffs. 

PENALTY CALLS

By the way, I thought the officiating was pretty bad.  Tyler Sash's block in the back was a flop where the guy wasn't touched.  The Redskins were grabbing TONS of cloth while run blocking, especially in the 1st quarter, and we got no calls.  Then, late in the game, some bad calls went against Washington, including that offensive pass interference on TE Logan Paulsen.

That 3rd & 20 was the play after a Beatty hold.  I don't know the specifics of the injury he sustained, but he was worthless in the 4th quarter.  That hold negated a Martellus Bennett 1st down catch into Washington territory.  And the 3rd & 20 was a screen pass to Bradshaw, I believe.  

I think we tried to run a screen because they were smelling blood with their pass rush for the first time in the game and we thought we could fool them.  The way our tackles were, we really couldn't give Eli enough time to throw the ball downfield.  The OT injuries may have been dictating our play selection.

All in all, it was a great game.  Washington is for real.  All of these other teams are trying to run this belly option wildcat nonsense (remember CAR tried it against us?).  But Washington is doing it effectively.  I don't remember the Giants EVER being so perplexed by an offensive scheme.

Other than the penalties...we played a pretty good game.  I don't think it's time to hit the panic button...as long as we can sort out the offensive tackle issues.