Don’t Be Swayed By Redskins’ Scoring Surge
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By DERON SNYDER
That certainly was fun, way more entertaining (and competitive) than anyone imagined. Too bad the Washington Redskins can’t play New England every week.
Sure, the Patriots generate a lot of offense. But they yield a bunch, too. They were the perfect remedy for an inconsistent Redskins attack that posted its most points and most yardage all season, albeit in a 34-27 loss Sunday at FedEx Field.
No one expected a shootout between Tom “Captain America” Brady and Rex Grossman because the latter misfires and shoots his team in the foot too often. But the Redskins couldn’t ask for a more susceptible opponent if their offense ever started to click.
The Patriots’ scoring prowess might skew their defensive numbers a bit, as teams hopelessly behind can pile up inconsequential yards. But New England without the ball doesn’t remind anyone of Baltimore. Opportunities figured to abound against the Patriots – ranked dead last in the NFL in yards per game. The only questions involved the Redskins‘ ability to capitalize.
They did, to a point, amassing 463 yards. There were a slew of big plays, eight passes that covered at least 20 yards (including a 51-yard bomb to Donte Stallworth) and three runs that covered at least 15 yards. Rookie halfback Roy Helu rushed for 126 yards. Stallworth (96 yards) and Jabar Gaffney (92 yards) had huge days against their former team.
