What worries me

[Justice Hog]

Yes, the Redskins are 5-3 and that is pretty cool.

Looking at the big picture, however.

1) We got really lucky that the Cardinals kicker missed that kick.
2) The Jets could have won that game in OT.

This team is just a stone's throw away from being a 3-5 team. The last two games we won, we won in very far from convincing fashion.

Sure, this team is unlike Redskins teams from the past who always seemed to lose those close games. This team, on the other hand, is finding a way to win those close games....and that certainly is a good thing.

However.

I'm not convinced, just yet, that this team is good enough to be a playoff team. I need to see some dramatic improvement before I feel that.

[GSPODS]

Yes, the Redskins are 5-3 and that is pretty cool.

Looking at the big picture, however.

1) We got really lucky that the Cardinals kicker missed that kick.
2) The Jets could have won that game in OT.

This team is just a stone's throw away from being a 3-5 team. The last two games we won, we won in very far from convincing fashion.

Sure, this team is unlike Redskins teams from the past who always seemed to lose those close games. This team, on the other hand, is finding a way to win those close games....and that certainly is a good thing.

However.

I'm not convinced, just yet, that this team is good enough to be a playoff team. I need to see some dramatic improvement before I feel that.

Agreed. I just can't get excited about a team that plays every game this close to the vest.

And as far as this "No, I'm not "The Incarcerator" any more. I haven't been since January '06! I am now the "Pursuer of Justice"." goes, you'll never catch Justice. She's always either one step ahead or two steps behind. You know who to blame.

[Deadskins]

Yes, the Redskins are 5-3 and that is pretty cool.

Looking at the big picture, however.

1) We got really lucky that the Cardinals kicker missed that kick.
2) The Jets could have won that game in OT.

This team is just a stone's throw away from being a 3-5 team. The last two games we won, we won in very far from convincing fashion.

Sure, this team is unlike Redskins teams from the past who always seemed to lose those close games. This team, on the other hand, is finding a way to win those close games....and that certainly is a good thing.

However.

I'm not convinced, just yet, that this team is good enough to be a playoff team. I need to see some dramatic improvement before I feel that.

Yes we have won some squeakers that could have very easily turned into losses. But two of our losses were also squeakers that very easily could have been wins. The Packers and G-strings have shown themselves to be good teams, and we had leads late in both games which we squandered. So we are also just a stone's throw away from being 7-1. And with the Cards and Jets, the defense made costly drive-extending penalties that allowed those teams to score and keep it close or take a lead. I take solace in knowing that those mistakes are easily correctable.

[langleyparkjoe]

True Justice, hopefully we'll get it all together before the season ends. I've noticed our defense isn't playing as aggresive as they have been so I hope Williams gets in there faces about it.

GO SKINS !!! KILL DA EAGLES !!!

[USAFSkinFan]

We also had a 14 point lead against the Giants and had the Packers beat easy if we could've held on to the ball... could be 7-1 wothout playing that great... either way we need to play better on both sides of the ball to be a contender...

[frankcal20]

If we could figure out a way to connect with a wide receiver to go along with our running game, these games will be easier to win. I am truly embarrassed that our team has spent so much money on WR's and look at the production we are getting from them. 0 TD's. Now this could be JC's fault also but its still a fact and I think that they need to work more on this to get some results. I would like to hear one of these guys say, "I'm tired of this. I'm going to go out there and take this group on my shoulders and show them how its done."

Philly allows 225 passing yds a game and only 93 rushing yds a game. So to win, we need to open it up a bit and do something different to get the passing game involved. We have to eclipse the 21 point mark to have our team still be in this and we need to score early and consistently.

Just my two cents.

[Redskin in Canada]

The frustrating part about this team is that it could easily be a 7 - 1 team or a 3 - 5 team. The difference between those two records and anywhere in between is just a few plays in each game.

There are two ways to look at it:

1) On a positive note, we are -only- a few plays away from being a top five team!

2) On a negative note, on the other hand, we are -only- a few plays away from being a bottom five team!

They are those FEW plays that separate the good from the bad. It is just a little thing that separates Dr. Jekyll from Mr. Hyde.

[BnGhog]

The frustrating part about this team is that it could easily be a 7 - 1 team or a 3 - 5 team. The difference between those two records and anywhere in between is just a few plays in each game.

There are two ways to look at it:

1) On a positive note, we are -only- a few plays away from being a top five team!

2) On a negative note, on the other hand, we are -only- a few plays away from being a bottom five team!

They are those FEW plays that separate the good from the bad. It is just a little thing that separates Dr. Jekyll from Mr. Hyde.

I totally agree! Potis has said in an interview that sometimes he gets frustrated because he was only needed to make one guy miss, to reach freedom. And those deep balls have RIGHT THERE! So, close to being great. Thats frustrating as a fan, to see them soooo close, and just miss.

[Cappster]

The frustrating part about this team is that it could easily be a 7 - 1 team or a 3 - 5 team. The difference between those two records and anywhere in between is just a few plays in each game.

There are two ways to look at it:

1) On a positive note, we are -only- a few plays away from being a top five team!

2) On a negative note, on the other hand, we are -only- a few plays away from being a bottom five team!

They are those FEW plays that separate the good from the bad. It is just a little thing that separates Dr. Jekyll from Mr. Hyde.

I totally agree! Potis has said in an interview that sometimes he gets frustrated because he was only needed to make one guy miss, to reach freedom. And those deep balls have RIGHT THERE! So, close to being great. Thats frustrating as a fan, to see them soooo close, and just miss.

We will make those plays on Sunday. I am convinced that we are going to explode against the Eagles and carry it on to the playoffs. When Portis gets off and running tis Sunday, look for big plays through the air from Campbell to Moss.

[VetSkinsFan]

I'm thinking that this week was the catalyst. CP's costumes are back... so the morale's gonna be boosted. I foresee our 1st WR TD this week. It'll probably be ARE

[Mursilis]

Yes, the Redskins are 5-3 and that is pretty cool.

Looking at the big picture, however.

1) We got really lucky that the Cardinals kicker missed that kick.
2) The Jets could have won that game in OT.

This team is just a stone's throw away from being a 3-5 team. The last two games we won, we won in very far from convincing fashion.

Sure, this team is unlike Redskins teams from the past who always seemed to lose those close games. This team, on the other hand, is finding a way to win those close games....and that certainly is a good thing.

However.

I'm not convinced, just yet, that this team is good enough to be a playoff team. I need to see some dramatic improvement before I feel that.

Such is life for an average team - we are neither Indy/NE great, nor Miami/St. Louis bad. Each game will be an adventure. You'll probably want to increase your drinking to smooth out the ride.

[Fan035]

It seems to me we are a very average team. We seem to win by the skin of our teeth and lose when we have command of the game and shouldn't (New England being the exception). We're certainly not clicking on all cylinders. I frankly don't know what to expect week to week.

[UK Skins Fan]

Yes, the Redskins are 5-3 and that is pretty cool.

Looking at the big picture, however.

1) We got really lucky that the Cardinals kicker missed that kick.
2) The Jets could have won that game in OT.

This team is just a stone's throw away from being a 3-5 team. The last two games we won, we won in very far from convincing fashion.

Sure, this team is unlike Redskins teams from the past who always seemed to lose those close games. This team, on the other hand, is finding a way to win those close games....and that certainly is a good thing.

However.

I'm not convinced, just yet, that this team is good enough to be a playoff team. I need to see some dramatic improvement before I feel that.

You can choose to be worried by this if you like. Personally, I'm still bothered by that Halloween outfit of yours.

[Fios]

Yes, the Redskins are 5-3 and that is pretty cool.

Looking at the big picture, however.

1) We got really lucky that the Cardinals kicker missed that kick.
2) The Jets could have won that game in OT.

This team is just a stone's throw away from being a 3-5 team. The last two games we won, we won in very far from convincing fashion.

Sure, this team is unlike Redskins teams from the past who always seemed to lose those close games. This team, on the other hand, is finding a way to win those close games....and that certainly is a good thing.

However.

I'm not convinced, just yet, that this team is good enough to be a playoff team. I need to see some dramatic improvement before I feel that.

You can choose to be worried by this if you like. Personally, I'm still bothered by that Halloween outfit of yours.

[El Mexican]

Lets face it: this team has absolutely no identity. One week you rush for more than 300 yards. The next you can hardly break free for a 5 yard run. Oh, and we have no passing game, by the way.

The last time this team had identity was during the last 5 games of the Marty era. You knew what was coming and, although boring, worked well: run Stephen Davis and pass carefully with that QB I can hardly remember (!).

Well, ok, the last 5 games of the 2005 season had the same formula.

This game against the Eagles will show, hopefully, this teams identity.

[mastdark81]

Lets face it: this team has absolutely no identity. One week you rush for more than 300 yards. The next you can hardly break free for a 5 yard run. Oh, and we have no passing game, by the way.

The last time this team had identity was during the last 5 games of the Marty era. You knew what was coming and, although boring, worked well: run Stephen Davis and pass carefully with that QB I can hardly remember (!).

Well, ok, the last 5 games of the 2005 season had the same formula.

This game against the Eagles will show, hopefully, this teams identity.

Its not that we do not have any identity...its just that each and every year we start off and lose our identity. Joe shouldn't have to say mid-year every single season that they are going to start playing physical!

[Irn-Bru]

The Jets are only a few plays away from being 4-4 or 5-3; I watched the end of the Ravens game and they've been in games late on several occasions this year. This is always the case, and it's nothing new.

What is new is that usually we are the fans thinking "man, a play here and a play there and we'd be 5-3 or 6-2 instead of 2-6 or 3-5!" This year we got the extra bounces. I don't see what the cause for worry is. This team is in a better position to make the playoffs than our 2005 squad was at this point in the year.

[BeeGee]

I'm thinking that this week was the catalyst. CP's costumes are back... so the morale's gonna be boosted. I foresee our 1st WR TD this week. It'll probably be ARE

Yeh, that's if either of those guys play. Neither Moss or Randle El practiced on Friday. Randle El looks slightly hampered but Moss looks serious. Good luck.

[RayNAustin]

The Jets are only a few plays away from being 4-4 or 5-3; I watched the end of the Ravens game and they've been in games late on several occasions this year. This is always the case, and it's nothing new.

What is new is that usually we are the fans thinking "man, a play here and a play there and we'd be 5-3 or 6-2 instead of 2-6 or 3-5!" This year we got the extra bounces. I don't see what the cause for worry is. This team is in a better position to make the playoffs than our 2005 squad was at this point in the year.

I can't agree with ya on this even though I applaud your optimism.

In reality, going into week 10 of 2005, the Redskins were 5-3 and in a three way tie for 1st place with Dallas and Giants., having already beaten Dallas in Dallas, and Philly. We had beaten good teams, Chicago, Dallas, and Seattle....we dominated Denver and lost by 2, and dominated KC and lost...both should have been wins which would have put us at 7-1 going into week 10.

This year we're 5-3 and 2 games back of Dallas 7-1, 1 game back of the Giants 6-2, and we are not playing nearly as well as the 2005 team. 3 of the teams we've beaten we just barely won, and they are not good teams with a collective record of 4-13.

In 2005 we had that losing streak of 3 games that put us in a bind and it was 5 and Oh or we don't go.

That situation is upon us now because of the Cowboys and Giants being ahead.

Looking at the Cowboys schedule, at worst, I see them finishing 12-4 (if we can beat them twice). That means we need to go 7-1 from here just to tie for the NFC East. If we lose to Philly tomorrow, it will be 7 and Oh or we don't go....division title wise. As for the wild card, between GB and Det, and NYG, it looks like 10-6 won't cut it this year. That wild card number looks like 11-5 which means we need to go 6-2 from hear out just to make it as a wild card.

Realistically, we need to win the next 4 games for a 9-3 record so that we then have Chi, NYG, Min, Dallas for the final 4 of which we must win two just to get a wild card spot.