Pierre Garcon
courtesy of Keith Allison

With the Redskins win last night they both got back to .500 and eclipsed last season’s win total. They also set themselves up to be in the conversation for the playoffs. The Redskins are still one game out and need other teams to lose while they continue to win in order to claw their way into the post-season, but with three straight wins in the division the playoffs are now a possibility.

The Redskins came into the season with a play, but as the Scottish poets say the best laid plans were torn asunder. Pierre Garcon played one quarter against the Saints and didn’t return as a regular until the game against the Cowboys. He had receptions against the Bucs, Falcons, and Eagles, but was still too overburdened by his foot injury to have any real impact. Now that he is healthier the Redskins are starting to show what they are truly capable of on offense.

Garcon was the difference against the Giants and it can be argued the Cowboys. Most of the receivers on the Redskins can’t create catches. The ball has to be on target in order for them to make a reception, but with Garcon he can go get the ball if it is in a zone close to him, and as good as RGIII is having a weapon like this at his disposal makes him even better. What we saw against the Cowboys and Giants is what the Redskins offense could have been all season. Imagine if Garcon was on the field in the Rams game or in the first game against the Giants. The Redskins might not be clawing for a playoff spot, but all but secured of one.

It feels insane to be writing like this. The Redskins still have all the problems they have had all season. Without Orakpo and Carriker to front seven is getting almost no pressure on opposing quarterbacks and the secondary has never had two healthy safeties on the field all season. The Redskins secondary got burned against the Giants, but when a team limits and offense like the Giants to one touchdown and three field goals they did something right. The Redskins defense bent, but never broke against the Giants and kept the Redskins in the game long enough to let RGIII and Alfred Morris show why they are two of the most impactful rookies in the NFL.

The Redskins beat the Giants on the ground more than they did through the air, but the 124 yards by Morris and the 72 on the ground by RGIII helped to open up the pass game, and once again RGIII was very good at controlling the ball and limiting turnovers. The one fumble that RGIII did have bounced into the waiting arms of Josh Morgan and was taken to the end zone for the Redskins first touchdown of the game. This is the type of moment that in the past would have happened to the Redskins and had their fans throwing things all over their living rooms. RGIII is good enough that he doesn’t need any help. He doesn’t need to be lucky, and when he is it is only going to frustrating fans of opposing teams.

This was a good win for the Redskins and it puts them in the playoff hunt and an even better chance to finish the season .500 or better. The Redskins toughest remaining game is against the Ravens this coming weekend, but after that they finish up with the Browns, Eagles, and Cowboys. If the Redskins play like they have the last two weeks they should finish no worse than 9-7, and while that might not be enough to nab a playoff spot it is better than most expected.

David Huzzard

David Huzzard was born at Fairfax Hospital in 1981 and has spent his entire life in the Washington, D.C. area. He has been a fan of all the area sports teams either since he was born or since they arrived here. He is also very pleased that his hometown is a burger town.