some perspective on the season so far

[DeSkined]

There are about 5 games you're going to win regardless and 5 games you're going to lose regardless - its the other 6 games that make or break the season.

This was one of the 5 games the Skins were NOT going to win, and they knew that as they got on the bus. It showed in every aspect of the game - they packed it in.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by DeSkined

There are about 5 games you're going to win regardless and 5 games you're going to lose regardless - its the other 6 games that make or break the season.

This was one of the 5 games the Skins were NOT going to win, and they knew that as they got on the bus. It showed in every aspect of the game - they packed it in.

You are correct in your way of thinking because as much as I was hoping we would win that game yesterday, I knew our chances were slim. The Giants had two weeks to prepare, they were desperate to get a win. and we were coming off an emotional high of the last two weeks. It's difficult enough to win three games in a row in the NFL, and further complicated when you have to play a divisional foe on the road. Plus the Giants have weapons, you can't look at them and say "we should win this game". I was not totally shocked by the outcome of yesterday's game.

[CrazyCanuck]

Matty I agree with the theme of your post, but the problem for me is that I had high hopes for this team at the start of the season.

I thought we could be a serious SB contender, but to do so we'd need home-field or at least a first round bye in the playoffs. But I also knew this would be almost impossible given our tough division. The Bears and Seahawks are both good teams, and their schedules are a joke compared to ours. Still I agree with this:

Originally Posted by 70Chip

I disagree that the Giants game should have been counted as a loss in the beginning of the season. The Giants aren't very good. A good team would have put 40 on us yesterday. If we had just played average we would have had a chance. When I look at the schedule, yesterday's game was one they needed to win. This team was supposed to be a threat to win it all this year. There window of opportunity is closing very quickly. They cannot wait until December to get serious this year.

IMO a real SB contender finds a way to win that Vikings game at home (though the Vikes were better than expected). The Bears did just that against the Vikes and they weren't at home.

And I understand our division is tough, but is 4-2 in the division so much to ask for from a supposed SB contender? Like 70Chip said I don't think the Giants are very good and they were teetering on the brink of collapse. We could have ended their season right there. But we don't seem to have the urgency.

And what's worse is...

I don't think we have the talent.

I think there is hope for the offense. We have tons of weapons and I have faith in the scheme. When we've looked good we really do look like Saunders' Chiefs and it's fun to watch. But this offense all depends on the O-line, and like others have mentioned, I think ours is average at best. This is the highest paid unit on our team and they must earn it if we're gonna be a serious contender. I hope in time they can become more consistent (and cut down on the penalties!) as they learn the new scheme. But time is running out.

And the D scares the hell out of me, that's all I can really say about it. Springs and Prioleau out are killing us, but still. We haven't stopped ANYBODY. Leftwich ripped us apart all game and we blew a 10-point 4th quarter lead at home like nothing. If we lose that OT coin-flip, we lose that game.

I guess I can summarize like this:

Let's say theoretically the Skins rally back, get into the playoffs, and even win a 1st round game. Does anybody really think this team can go into Chicago or Seattle (or both) and win? From what I've seen so far, I think the Bears would murder poor Brunell, and I shudder to think what Hasselbeck and the Seahawks would do to our D.

Right now the Super Bowl seems very far away.

[SouperMeister]

Matty, I agree that 2-3 isn't that farfetched, but I don't think anyone would have predicted an 0-3 conference record. If the Skins don't right the ship in a hurry, we're looking at almost no chance of enjoying the upper hand we had in division/conference tie-breakers last season. As for the Wilbon article, he's correct that we shouldn't be surprised by a loss, but it's the way the team offered no resistance that is so disappointing. At least Dallas put up a fight in Philly. Boswell's column captured the essense of the second Gibbs regime - this team only gets up for a game when it's backed in a corner.