12th's Five Bright Spots

[12thMan]

During election year, D.C. becomes a very interesting place to live. People either want to be in the know or at least have an opinion about something. And that something is usually the state of politics or the Washington Redskins. The latter is way more fun to argue about on the way to work. After last night's win, the city is buzzing with cautious optimism again, and for the time being talks of Gibbs needing to step down has receded.

I've got to be honest, just two weeks ago I was hoping that the Redskins would just go away very quietly with a 6-10 record and spend the off-season reflecting on Sean Taylor's death and what lies ahead, and though they'll definitely reflect on Taylor's passing once the season is officially over, it most definitely won't be with a 6-10 record. I don't won't to jump the gun…oh what the hell, I'll do it! I think this team has found it's mo'jo, and found it at the right time. Suddenly 8-8 or 9-7 looks very doable. There is now an aire of confidence surrounding this team - they actually believe that they belong in the playoffs. Playoffs!? Playoffs!?

Offensive Line: The interior line opened holes and creases last night, and Portis and Betts did the rest. The touchdown run by Betts was a thing of beauty, wasn't it? I was particulary impressed with the job Chris Samuels and Stephon Heyer did on the Giant's defensive ends. No one, I mean no one, expected Heyer and Samuels to keep one of the top DE duos off Collins for most of the night. Not only did they step up, but they essentially shut them down. Strahan and Umenyiora were relatively quiet all night.

Clinton Portis: What else can you really say about Clinton Portis. Seems like he's a bright spot every other week. When Portis is rushing, receiving or blocking, he's just bad ass.

Andre Carter: He ain't no Mario Williams and he might not get a Pro-Bowl nod, but with each game this guy comes up with a big sack, a big play or a big something. And I love Carter's engine too, he never stops moving until the whistle blows. Now that Carter has achieved double digit sack totals for the year, I think it's safe to say he's on his way to becoming one of the elite pass rushers in football. Not the best but definitely in the discussion.

Shawn Suisham. How in the hell did he make three field goals in that wind last night? Suisham could easily get my game ball last night, as his field goals put pressure on the Giants offense to score touchdowns and not settle for field goals keep it close.

Team Psyche: Joe Gibbs is just a beast in December. He knows how to win and he knows how to get his teams focused. It's also worth noting that the Redskins suddenly seem incredibly loose to have gone through what they've experienced recently. I attribute that partly to Gibbs being the glue in difficult times. You can see it leading up to the game and you could see it in the post game pressers. Boy, a win in Minnesota next week just might send this city into a real tizzy.