flem16 wrote:hkHog wrote:...although I think it will be a close game and Seattle should be the favorite, if it is a blowout it will be in the 'Skins favor.
I did have to take exception with the above quote saying that if it were a blowout it will be in Washington's favor. I do not see any way possible that this game is a blowout for the Redskins. If you could explain your rationale behind this it would be greatly appreciated.
I never said I thought it would be a blowout, I think it will be a very close game. I was taking exception to the idea that some Seahawks fans had that it would be a blowout in Seattle's favor.
This Redskins team doesn't get blown out. It has only occured once in the last two years and last year we weren't very good. Additionally, the only game that occured in was the game after Wellington Mara died and his adopted grandson Tiki ran for 200+ against us. We still responded to that though by destroying the Giants the next time around. Hence, my argument that the 'Skins will not be blown out.
In addition, the 'Skins have won six games down the stretch all in a playoff-type atmosphere. Three of the last four were against teams trying to make it into the playoffs or to win a playoff game (Giants, Cowboys, Bucs) and each game was a playoff game for us at the very least. We blew out the Cowboys and the Giants in crucial games for them and beforehand nobody thought we could do that, even those who picked us to win. Those teams just couldn't handle the intensity we played those games with and they got destroyed as a result. Now I don't believe in momentum, especially in football where one play can change a game but I do believe in the intensity that a team can play with in the playoffs being of the utmost importance. I am not at all worried about the 'Skins in that respect, they are now a battle tested team that will show up on Saturday ready to play.
However, I do have my doubts in this aspect of the game when I look at Seattle. As an analogy, I see the Seahawks as a gifted child who has never been teasted this year and the 'Skins as a team that has streetsmarts and knows how to survive. Sure, the gifted kid may have more skills and be smarter but when it comes to crunch time you have no idea how he is going to react while you know exactly what you're getting from the Redskins.
All, I'm saying is I expect the game to be very close but Seattle has to be very careful. If they come out and they aren't ready to get punched in the mouth the game could get ugly. This is no fault of the Seahawks but rather it is a result of the fact that they had to play so many cupcakes. Let's see how they respond to a team that hits harder than any other team they've faced on both sides of the ball. If they can come in matching our intensity they will probably win because of their overall talent level and the fact they are playing at home. I see it being a very close game and Seattle should be the favorite but I am still convinced that despite that, IF the game blowout it will be in the Redskins favor for all the above reasons. We are battle tested, we play with great physicality and intensity, and we just don't get blown out. You can count on this team showing up to play no matter what.
Also, far too much has been made of us only gaining 120 yds against Tampa. Remember, the three previous weeks our offense put up 101 points against our three division rivals, two of which were fighting for their playoff lives. Earlier in the season we put up 35 against Tampa, the #1 rated D in the league. In the last six games of the season we ran for more yards than any other team in the NFL - more than Seattle, more than Denver, more than the Giants (even though Tiki had two 200+ yd games over that stretch of the season), and even more than KC even though LJ had six 100 yd games and a 200 yd game!!! In the game last week we ran the ball more than twice as much than we threw it and Portis barely played. We had a big lead and Gibbs didn't want to give Tampa's D to win the game with a turnover or two. If anyone things this offense is below average they are very wrong. Over the season it was ranked eleventh and it is extremely opportunistic.
ey (behind Moss) could cause problems for us more than any of the guys currently in position for the 2nd WR.
