Graham Gano kicks the game-winning field goal in the Redskins 16-13 overtime victory vs the Packers at FedEx Field. Gano hit a 45-yard field goal to tie the game with 1:07 left in regulation and the 33-yarder pictured above in overtime.
No really, did the Redskins actually pull one out after playing three quarters of awful football? Did the Redskins really get two clutch kicks from Graham Gano and prevent me from turning off the TV early in the third? Did the Packers really blow that game? Are my eyes deceiving me?
LaRon Landry has shown how valuable he can be, playing at an all-pro level and setting up the Redskins in Packer territory with his fantastic interception. Aided by two defensive penalties that would have stalled the Redskins offense in overtime, they were in fact able to finish the job despite the Smirnoff ad trying to ice Gano again.
A lot went wrong, but a lot went right as well. Let’s break it down.
Game ball – LaRon Landry: got the deciding interception and forced a fumble in the first half. STEAK AND POTATOES BABY! And a great quote from the man, the myth, the Landry:
“This defense fits me well. It enables me to be close to the line of scrimmage and play physical. I don’t have too many reads, just fly around and make tackles, break on the ball and be instinctive.”
LIKE A BOSS!
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – the best description for the offense yesterday. The playcalling has been inconsistent, working short before randomly throwing deep balls to Anthony Armstrong or Joey Galloway(???). Through much of the game I felt stuck in the Zorn era circa 2008, making me want to punch my monitor. Then they take a chance, find Santana or give Armstrong a ball to come down with in the end zone. Consistency. It is key.
ORAKPWND – That is all.
Clay Mathewpwnd? – Eh, doesn’t sound very good. Still, Mathews diminated the Redskins and is one of the best defensive players in the NFL. It was obvious when he left the game iwth an injury how much the offense picked up and started moving. If he had stayed in, the Skins would have lost 13-3. That’s real talk.
Everyone must hate the Redskins – Clay Mathews left the game in the third quarter and Aaron Rodgers sustained a concussionin overtime. This adds to the list of key players the Redskins defense has injured in past weeks. The others: Andre Johnson, Michael Vick and Jermichael Finley. These guys aren’t playing around.
Third-down defense – The Redskins held the Packers to 2-13 (15%) on third down and 0-1 on fourth down. The Packers previously ranked fifth in the league with a 46.5% success rate on third down.
McNabb is not average – he’s got something special that makes me realize we’ll always have a chance to fight back. The home-run balls and aversion to interceptions are something we didn’t see a year ago with Jason Campbell. He didn’t look great throwing balls at receivers feet or launching a yard too long, but he showed up when we needed him and got the crucial yards.
Brandon friggin Banks – He turns long fields into good opportunities and he gets the crowd into the game. He’s quickly becoming my favorite Redskin and I can’t wait for him to get into the endzone and do the John Wall.
Torain Train wasn’t there – The Skins couldn’t rely on the running game with Clay Mathews and the Packer defense stymieing the run early. I picked up Torain in fantasy this week expecting him to break out, but we saw none of that against a stout defensive line.
Don’t teach me how to dougie – We go from one badass dance to one extremely played out one, the dougie. Look, I love that you hauled down the 48-yard pass for the touchdown, Armstrong, but the dougie is played out. It’s been done. Do the Galloway, which in reality is the humpty hump. You know what, don’t do the humpty hump. That’d be bad.
Stephon Heyer – Every time I see the goofily proportioned Heyer (oddly long chicken legs) my exact thought is: “How’s he going to fuck this one up?”
Mike Sellers is special – On special teams that is. Laid down some great hits, made some great blocks. Always good to see a bonafide starter make an impact on SP.
I hate to say it but… we need Albert Haynesworth to play. The NOSE-GUARD did not play because of the death of his half-brother, but it shows how much he was really needed to wreak havoc on the opposing offensive line. Orakpo was the only player to really breakthrough to get to Aaron Rodgers consistently, but with Haynesworth playing the defensive line would have been much more effective.
You knew he would drop it – You know who I’m talking about.
Get off your knees – By my count, the refs botched four defensive holding and pass intererence calls until overtime when they decided to help the Skins offense get into field goal range, calling one of each for the home team. I normally don’t like make up calls, but I’ll take it.
COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLEEEEYYYYY.
Thank you for your continued support of DMV Sports. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, feel free to email me at akecke@gmail.com.
DMV Sports by Alex Keckeisen 