WP Email: Redskins Good On Paper

[MTK]

Good on Paper, but...


The Washington Redskins' 4-9 record will surely lead to another unfulfilling finish for the franchise, but a breakdown of the team's season statistics reveals a more favorable reality than the club's placement in the NFC standings would indicate. Only one team in the conference has fewer wins -- San Francisco, Saturday's opponent, has two victories -- but the Redskins have generally out-gained their opposition this season despite an abundance of offensive woes.

The Redskins have 217 first downs compared to 194 by their opponents, they average 31:16 in time of possession and a modest 269.9 net yards per game, which is still eight more yards than their opponents average per game. Washington has gained 300 more rushing yards than its opposition this season and averaged 15 fewer passing yards per game than its opponents, shocking considering they have ranked last in passing yards for much of the season (they currently rank 31st out of 32 teams).

The numbers speak dramatically to the dominance of Washington's second-ranked defense. The Redskins are first against the pass and third against the run, keeping the team in most every game. The team is last in scoring with 183 points -- 16 behind Chicago -- but has scored only five fewer touchdowns than its opposition through 13 games. Washington is actually outscoring teams this season in the first and fourth quarter combined -- 95-89 -- but is getting pummeled in the second and third quarter -- 129-88.

Last season under Coach Steve Spurrier the Redskins gave up 53 more first downs than they gained, allowed the opposition to possess the ball for 31:15 per game, yielded 2,217 rushing yards (while gaining just 1,653), were out-gained through the air as well and surrendered 15 more touchdowns than they scored (45-30). Washington finished with a 5-11 record in 2003 and was outscored 372-287.

-- Jason La Canfora