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

[skinsguy]

Wow that is interesting!

[Krills]

I've been saying it for the past few weeks: because our record is about the same, most Redskins' fans overlook that we are indeed, in much better shape from only a year ago. I'm telling you, now that the offense is coming along and Gibbs' system is starting to set in, we are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the next few seasons. I only wish that we could have somehow pulled that game out on Sunday, because I think we are a good team right now and we're going to win the last three games. Oh well, atleast we know that this team is finally moving in the right direction. Great Post Matty!

[bedlamVR]

Wow we are first against the pass with no dominant pass rusher and Champ thingy jumped ship.. goes to see the worth of good coaching...

[Riggo44]

I knew we where close all year! Thank's for the proof Mattyk72. We've had a chance to win ever game this year in the 4th Qtr! Wining out the rest of the season would do wonders for our team (and me) going into training camp!
First of all I really want to get some payback to Dallas for that MNF game! (Reff's robbed us!)
+ I would love to nock the Vikings out of the playoffs in the last week of the season. Just like Arizona did last year. One of my best friends is a die hard Vikings fan,It would be nice to rub that one in his face. :smashfrea
And this Sat I will be at the 49ers game hoping to end my personal 5 game losing streak!
So yea, I really want the Redskins to win there last 3 games for quite a few reasons!

[Daseal]

Yeah, our offense is close to what our opponents do, except our offense doesn't play the #2 defense every week. That is where these stats are skewed. How many other teams in the top 10 as far as defense go get beat up on offense like that?

Last year our defense was absolutely horrible. Our offense wasn't great, but it was better. Either way, this certainly isn't a praise for the offense. 2nd to last in passing yards! RAH!

[Riggo44]

I am not praising the offense at all! We suck! But a few play's here and there and we might start singing a diffrent tune.
What that article points out is we are on the right track. I really don't think they are that far off.

[Daseal]

Riggo: I agree, we're close. We've been close for a few years though =p

I keep waiting to turn the corner. Spurriers system would show flashes where it worked amazingly for a drive or two. Then fade. Gibbs lasts for a game then fades but shows up less often. We need to turn the corner and we're okay!

[gibbsisgod]

SHOCKING

[SmootSmack]

I'm anxious to read SportsCurmudgeon's gloomy reaction to these stats

[illdefined]

don't need to wait for Curmudgeon.

we've ALWAYS been good on paper. ALWAYS. before the season, after the season, even DURING the season.

but it's all toilet paper if we cant eke out the wins.

[aehs77]

not bad for what was suppose to be a weak defense coming in

[Kope]

The difference between this good on paper and others is this is statistics from games, the other "good on paper" was all pre-season hype.

And yes we have been close to being a fair to good team several times in the past twelve years- but now we are close to being a great team.

We have the one thing we need more than anything else- continuity across the board, this will pay more dividends than anything else we can do/get/buy

Those stats are amazing and speak well of the future, the bottom line is: this is the first time we have been able to compete with every team in the league since Gibbs left. It is close..sooo close. I wish this was a 32 game season

[Daseal]

We got blown out what? Once last year? We've been close very very often. The thing is we never had a defense like this to support our offense. It just shows you how great our defense is and how awful our offense is.

[skinsguy]

I believe the proof will be shown next season when we're a much better team than this year. It will finally put to rest the Spurrier/Gibbs comparisions since there isn't a comparsion to begin with.