Teams heading down the homestretch have a lot to prove

[MTK]

With Todd Collins at quarterback, the Redskins have become a new team. He gives their offense an explosiveness that it sorely lacked when Jason Campbell was under center. And it is a quality that could make the Redskins an intriguing team in the playoffs ... if they get there.

Collins has shed the label of career backup, which he had worn for many years, and is now showing a great deal of effectiveness as a starter in place of the injured Campbell. He threw for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead Washington to a 32-21 victory over Minnesota, which hardly resembled the red-hot team that seemed to be cruising to a playoff berth. The Redskins' final regular-season game is against the Cowboys, who have nothing to play for. After squandering an opportunity for a home win, the Vikings must travel to Denver for their season finale.

Collins shows considerable poise and confidence in the pocket. But it isn't only because he is running an offense that he knows extremely well, having learned it when Redskins offensive coordinator Al Saunders ran the offense in Kansas City. It also is because, after years of being an understudy, he is ready to show that he has what it takes to be a starter, a role in which he flopped with Buffalo 10 years ago.

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