In 2003, The 5th Quarter became a full-season staple at the website. Each week the series graded the Redskins’ rushing, passing, defense, and special teams after the game, delivering blunt, position-by-position feedback that fans came to expect.
These posts captured both the early promise under Steve Spurrier and the hard realities of a difficult campaign, often with memorable (and sometimes brutal) honesty.
Here is the complete archive of the 2003 The 5th Quarter series.
2003 Summary
Week 1 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Jets
Patrick Ramsey was nearly perfect in the first half while the defense bent but never broke.
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Week 2 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Falcons
Unit grades after the road win in Atlanta as the offense continued to find its rhythm.
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Week 3 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Giants
Post-game breakdown following the NFC East clash with the New York Giants.
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Week 4 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Patriots
The defense forced three interceptions and the running game finally showed real life.
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Week 5 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Eagles
Unit grades after another tough NFC East battle with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Week 6 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Buccaneers
Post-game analysis following the matchup with the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Week 7 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Bills
Unit grades after the Redskins faced the Buffalo Bills in mid-October.
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Week 8 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Cowboys
Breakdown of a hard-fought (and ultimately disappointing) meeting with the Dallas Cowboys.
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Week 9 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Seahawks
Unit grades following the West Coast trip to face the Seattle Seahawks.
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Week 9 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Panthers
Post-game analysis after the Redskins hosted the Carolina Panthers.
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Week 11 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Dolphins
Unit grades from the Thanksgiving-week matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
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Week 12 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Saints
Breakdown after the Redskins faced the New Orleans Saints in early December.
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Week 13 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Giants
Unit grades from the second meeting of the season with the New York Giants.
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Week 14 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Cowboys
A complete embarrassment — six turnovers, no tackling, and a thorough 27-0 shutout loss.
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Week 15 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Bears
Post-game analysis following the late-season matchup with the Chicago Bears.
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Week 16 The 5th Quarter – Redskins Vs Eagles
Final regular-season unit grades after the closing game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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These 2003 installments capture both the flashes of promise and the painful realities of a long season, delivered with the blunt honesty that made The 5th Quarter a must-read feature.
Enjoy the archive.
HTTR.