DC Ratings Record

As an advertising professional, I love this other post by Dan Steinberg on the TV ratings for the Redskins-Cowboys Sunday Night matchup.

From the article:

The game earned a 44.6 rating in this market, according to Nielsen overnights — meaning about 1,053,000 homes in this market tuned into the game. It also earned a 68 percent share, meaning a strong majority of in-use televisions were tuned to that game. 

Nationally, the game was also the highest-rated NFL regular-season primetime game ever on NBC.

Celebrating Everywhere

As a fan removed from the DMV area, this piece by Washington Post writer Dan Steinberg resonated with me. I loved watching these YouTube clips of fans singing "Hail to the Redskins" across the country.

Few things in life are better than instant bond with strangers formed by rooting for your team in common.

Reasons to be worried

1. Dez Bryant is playing outstanding football
2. Romo has been very impressive as well
3. Demarco Murray didn't play the first time but will play tomorrow
4. Rob Ryan will know how to defend RG3 better the second time around

Red alert - trap game against the Eagles!

LeSean McCoy is back.
Nick Foles is playing way better. The game has slowed down for him.
Philly d-line is playing better.

Skins' o-line is banged up. This is going to be a tough one. Washington has to be careful to win the turnover battle.

Beautiful win at the Dawg Pound

What a fantastic first start for Kirk Cousins. Bootleg after bootleg. Even though Morris wasn't getting the big chunks of yards, the number of attempts was what kept the Browns defense focused on the run.

Great turnovers for Fletcher at his homecoming and Rob "Coming-into-his-own" Jackson. The defense did a wonderful job turning Trent Richardson into a non-factor. Many props to the wide receivers for catching everything Cousins was throwing. HTTR!

One for the Ages

Gutsy all-around effort by Washington. In years past, this is a game that the Skins would have seen fall out of reach, especially during the potential game-tying touchdown drive with the star quarterback getting injured. Instead, the team has such a mindset that it can practically will itself to victory, a winning mindset cultivated this year by RG3. But now, that can-do attitude has taken over the whole team such that backup quarterback Kirk Cousins was able to move the team down the field as well.

At a time when the Skins defense needed to stiffen, they did so, forcing Flacco and Ray Rice off the field with a short 3-and-out series. Then the best surprise came at the end, when great special teams play on the super punt return by Richard Crawford and Kai "Can't Miss" Forbath cinched the victory.

What about next week? Cousins will get the majority of snaps early in the week in case RG3 can't go. It's very early but I'm guessing that Griffin will be a game-time decision. He may even start the first series to see how he feels running around on the field. Despite our faith in Kirk Cousins, RG3 is the reason the team is where it is. As long as he's in, the Skins have a chance. Let's all collectively hope that RG3 is a quick healer.

RG3 Potential Backups

If RG3 goes down, the Skins' offensive system comes to a grinding halt. Can Kirk Cousins really run the triple option the way Robert Griffin III does? Of course not. But who could come close?

1. Michael Vick, Eagles. This would actually be a very good fit. Vick obviously was part of a great 1-2 punch with the Falcons, rushing the ball for 1,039 yards in 2006. His accuracy has always been suspect but if he can LBs in to slow the run game through a Kyle Shanahan scheme, then Vick has a better chance of being accurate. Given that the Eagles will go with Nick Foles the rest of the season, I'd estimate that the Skins have a 50-50 shot of signing Vick as RG3's backup.

2. Terrelle Pryor, Raiders. Supposedly just as fast as RG3, Pryor would have to demonstrate that he can accurate like RG3. But he came out in the same draft class as Cam Newton so he's still got two years left on his rookie contract and is undoubtedly looking to compete for a starting role if the Raiders don't hand him the reins this season.

3. Geno Smith, West Virginia. 4.8 40 speed so he's a couple steps slower. He's coming out this year and will probably be the #1 overall pick. Obviously, the Skins won't be in a position to grab him nor do they need him. They need a backup. Smith will likely be the franchise QB for Kansas City.

4. Keith Price, Washington. Probably fits in the same bucket as Geno Smith. Likely to be in the top 2 rounds but may not come out this year.

5. EJ Manuel, Florida State. If he lasts into the 4th round, then the Shanahans may realize it's time to evaluate that year's 4th rounder as a backup vs. Kirk Cousins as a 4th round backup from the prior year. And if so, hopefully, they consider what would be a more seamless transition for the rest of the team. But he'll probably be gone by mid-3rd round based on mock draft projections.

6. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech. Thomas may fit the bill. Bigger and slower than RG3. Like Price, he's a junior and doesn't plan to come out this year. But if he does, he may be flawed enough to drop into a draftable spot.

6. Tim Tebow, NY Jets. Jets are likely to look in the draft for their long-term answer under center. Tebow has been widely criticized as a gimmick players but not a true quarterback. Once the Shanahans study him on film, they'll likely see the same thing. He can't read defenses and process information the same way a typical NFL QB does. They won't bother considering Tebow.

7. Down the road --- Marcus Mariota, Oregon. He just finished a phenomenal freshman year in Chip Kelly's spread offense and by the time he declares, he'll probably be a top prospect. But  he's someone to watch.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

All things are possible with RG3. What does that include?

Breaking Tony Romo's perfect 5-0 record on Thanksgiving. Establishing the rookie record for QB rushing yards, breaking Cam Newton's new impressive record from last year. Ruining the Giant's perfect record 26-0 record since 2006 when leading at halftime. Breaking the 10-game home losing streak on Monday Night Football. Being able to go for a game-winning drive and then kill the clock by dominating the defense with power running to close out the game. Most importantly, it means a 3-game winning streak in the NFC East and being right in the thick of the playoff hunt.

Credit: AP/Nick Wass

The Skins need help for sure. They need the Giants to stumble once more than they do. Hopefully, the Falcons or Saints will oblige in that respect. And Washington has no gimme's. After losing to the Panthers, hopefully, they all know that.

Their pass defense has been and will continue to be suspect. The one area RG3 can't help as much is improving the pass rush and providing better pass coverage. The most he can do is better ball control -  sustain drives so that the defense isn't on the field as much.

How much better are the Redskins with Pierre Garcon? As everyone and their mothers have noted, they are 5-1 with him in the game and the flip record when he's out. Just imagine if Brandon Meriweather and Orakpo was healthy on defense. But everyone deals with injuries and the Skins have to deal with theirs. In fact, they are lucky that RG3 himself is upright, Alfred Morris is healthy, and the O-line has been stout.

Next up: the team that always seems to frustrate them - Battle of the Beltway. No Ray Lewis. But they still have Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, Ray Rice, and Terrell Suggs (who will likely play).

Great Turkey Day win

What a great feeling to dismantle the Boys in their home stadium on Thanksgiving Day in front of a national audience.

Too bad that the Skins defense let Romo and the Cowboys back into it in the second half to make a game of it! Nevertheless, the most important thing is that the Skins answered each time.

The way the Skins answered: first with the Niles Paul uncovered touchdown (just a super-gutsy play call by Kyle Shanahan on 3rd and inches when the tendency is to rush the ball into the line), then with the Kai Forbath 48-yard FG on a sustained clock-killing drive, and finally with the recovery of the onsides kick that DeAngelo Hall might as well have run into the end zone to be up two scores with 10 seconds left. On the other hand, the victory formation at the end allowed Washington to run a play that wasn't going to incur any injuries for either side whereas a kickoff after a return touchdown may have.

Skins vs Cowboys

As much as I'd like to hope that the Skins pull this off and put together a series of wins to finish strong, I don't think it will happen.

Romo is 5-0 on Thanksgiving. If the Skins still had Meriweather, I'd predict differently. Very disappointing that he only played one half of football for the whole season.

Cowboys over Skins, 28-16

Skins vs Eagles prediction

It's already into the second quarter but the prediction here is finally a Skins victory. These are the bullets that point in the Skins' favor:

1) Rookie QB Nick Foles starting for the Iggles
2) Return of Pierre Garçon and Meriweather
3) Coming off the bye week

However, the Eagles are desperate for a win after 5 or 6 straight losses and that desperation is something all Skins fans should worry about.

Skins, 24-20

Skins vs Panthers prediction

The Panthers have been playing some close games. Even though the Skins aren't a great team, this is still a "trap" game for them.

Panthers, 24-20

Skins vs Steelers prediction

Big Ben and the 3-4 defense. The only thing the Skins have going for them is that Troy Polamalu will miss their game due to injury.

However, the Steelers are playing at home. Big Ben leads a prolific pass offense, the Skins' weakness.

Steelers over the Skins, 24-16

Seems like I'm always picking against Washington.

Another painful loss

- Fred Davis out for the year with a torn Achilles tendon
- Garçon still out (although not from the Giants game, obviously) due to a torn tendon in his foot
- London Fletcher hurt his hamstring

The Skins need Chris Cooley back pronto. Hope he has been staying in shape!

At this rate, the Skins will be lucky to end up 8-8. The defense was able to contain Bradshaw but doesn't have enough people to stop any kind of air attack.

Skins vs Giants prediction

Another prediction of doom and gloom and for good reason. The G-Men have a powerful offense orchestrated by two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning. Ahmad Bradshaw has had two outstanding games recently.

Giants' defense is formidable with a standout defensive line that features Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre Paul. It's likely to wreak havoc on the Washington O-line.

Hope for the Skins always remains with RG3 but also hoping that Bradshaw and Nicks both sit out the game.

Prediction is that the Giants win by a couple touchdowns at home, 34-20.

Skins vs Vikings Prediction

Vikings have maximized their potential into a 4-1 record. Too many things going against Washington today:

- Vikings' talent at the offensive skill positions: Ponder's amazing development in his second year, AP's full recover, Percy Harvin
- Jared Allen leading the Vikings defense
- Washington's embarrassing 8-game home losing streak
- Weak Skins defense that won't be able to contain Harvin

Prediction:
Vikings 28, Skins 13

Skins vs. Falcons Prediction

The Falcons strength (featuring the impressive passing attack with Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones, and future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez) goes against the Skins weakness, porous pass defense, with no pass rush and missing the team's top projected safeties.

Not to mention Washington's 7-game losing streak at home. Home field disadvantage!

Skins have to hope that they can keep it on the ground - pounding away with Alfred Morris for 30+ carries and hopefully 10 more from Ryan Grant.

Falcons 33, Skins 21

Skins vs Bucs prediction

Washington never plays well in Tampa Bay. I think I heard recently on ESPN that they've lost 6 of their last 7 visits to Tampa.

The Bucs fast front seven will get after RG3 and knock him around. The Skins defense is one of the worst in the league and both will be in trouble against the Bucs.

Moreover, for the past few years, the Skins have shared the fate of the California Golden Bears football team for the beginning of each season. Unfortunately, Cal lost to Arizona State today, 27-17.

Prediction: Bucs 27, Skins 16

Skins vs Bengals prediction

Prediction here is that Washington will be amped up playing at home. The defense will step up this week to adequately cover the gaping holes left by Carriker and Orakpo. It will be challenging to keep that up week after week. However, this week, I bet they will meet the challenge.

On offense, they will miss Garçon but Morgan will be pushing himself to be a difference maker after his boneheaded mistake this week. Better yet, they are playing a weak defense, especially in the secondary.

Skins, 27-13

Crushing Loss and Injuries

Losing Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker to season-ending injuries not only impacted the Rams game but it affects the Skins' fortunes for the rest of the season.

Their losses were felt immediately since the Skins weren't able to apply much pressure to Sam Bradford and company. As a result, Trent Williams' former college QB was able to pick apart the coverage.

On the plus side, RG3 still looked impressive despite the pick. He staked Washington out to a 15-point lead and still had them driving for the tying field goal in the last 2 minutes, thanks to London Fletcher's forced fumble.

Skins vs. Rams Preview

People are hopping on board the RG3 bandwagon but this is the typical kind of let-down game.

I believe that this will be a game that brings RG3 back to earth. He'll throw 1 or 2 interceptions. He'll have some bad passes. He'll get sacked and probably fumble.

The Rams now have some game film on him and will bait him into some mistakes.

Still, with him at the helm, the Skins have a chance. Bad game but prediction is that RG3 helps Washington eke out a 17-16 win.

Thri (III) ing debut!

I would never have guessed that RG3 would have done as great a job as he did against the Saints. Simply masterful.

Poise in the pocket. Athleticism to escape. Athletic ability to wing it, like he did to Fred Davis across his body.

The conventional wisdom, and I fell into that territory, was that the Saints were going to punish the Skins at home in the Superdome, especially since:

1) They got back some of the previously suspended "bounty" players
2) The Skins secondary is suspect and Brees was at the top of his game last year, was probably going to carve them up
3) The Saints were at home

What a win! Hail!