1 Can they win another game?
My goodness, imagine asking that question about four or five weeks ago. They weren’t exactly Super Bowl bound, but they were competitive. Now? Injuries have turned them into a team not just trying to rebuild but rather to survive. The Redskins might be favored in one game the rest of the season (Minnesota on Christmas Eve). But weird things happen in the NFL and at some point they might face another team similarly banged up.
Recommended Stories
2 What more can the defense do? Score a touchdown. That’s what they haven’t done since the season opener and clearly it’s what they need to do (as Kevin Barnes nearly did vs. Miami). But more than anything the defense needs to have a flurry of turnovers. Corner DeAngelo Hall is a playmaker but only has one interception.
3 Will a win over Dallas solve everything? No, but it sure would help some people feel a lot better, at least for a week. Certainly some fans remember that when Dallas won its last Super Bowl (after the 1995 season), the Redskins beat them twice en route to a 6-10 season. A win also would help the locker room, which has maintained a professional atmosphere despite the five-game skid. Nobody wants to spend 12 weeks answering one question: Why can’t you win?
4 How long is the leash on quarterback Rex Grossman? Based on John Beck’s three-game outing, and the reasons trotted out for his performance — lack of OTAs, injuries to others — it seems like it would be long. But a week ago, based on Mike Shanahan’s comments, it seemed Beck’s leash had some room. And it didn’t. Grossman makes mistakes, but he’s better, at least right now, than Beck.
5 Where’s the hope offensively? In theory, the offensive line should improve the more they’re together. But right tackle Sean Locklear’s issues have nothing to do with getting in sync; they have all to do with not sustaining blocks. Experience will help guard Maurice Hurt, but when? The hope is that there’s one play in which the linemen get their blocks and the back springs through the hole. Maybe this week? Also, Grossman has to get hot like he did last December vs. the Cowboys.
– John Keim
