Run, Stop the Run, or Go Home

In case you haven't noticed, I've been avoiding writing about this subject like it has contracted the Ebola virus. I would like to tell you I tried to write this piece once or twice already this week, but I haven't. I could claim that I tried to copy other writers out there who may know more than I do and have a bead on the game, but that wouldn't be true, either. I can not even claim to have started this article a half-a-dozen times and scrapped it out of frustration, that would be completely untrue. This is my first attempt to address this subject since the Redskins won last Saturday. Why, you ask? Well, because I do not have a read on the game this coming Saturday between the Seattle Seahawks and your Washington Redskins. None. Zip. Nada. Nothing.

This is such a tough game to call for so many reasons, my head won't stop spinning (and it has nothing to do with beer, liquor or any other mind altering drug, I assure you). It's because I really have no idea what Redskin team will show up in the Emerald City this weekend. I don't! As much as I want it to be the right team, there's no guarantee. Sure, even if we lose, this whole area will have lots to be proud of:

• A Redskins' team that went 10-6 and earned its first berth in the playoffs since '99
• A Skins' team that beat Dallas twice for the first time since '95!... Woo-Hoo!
• Our first playoff win on the road since Joe Gibbs was here the first time
• A Washington defense that raped the Bucs on Tampa's home turf last week

But, this is the big-time, folks. Lose, and your team goes home to watch the rest of the postseason on that comfy couch with the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants. I've mentioned once or twice that I had a prediction about this Skins' team; one that was based on prophecy... on fate. I'm still reticent to unveil it. Call it intuition, call it fear, call it whatever you want. The fact remains... the Redskins are flying out west to play the Seattle Seahawks, the best team in the NFC, on their home turf, and our offense looked terrible last week in Tampa! Do you really think we're gonna win? Actually, even with me being so non-committal, with my hemming and hawing and reluctance to ensure a victory, I think we will win. Here's why:

1. We beat the Seahawks already this year! I know the game was in Washington; I know it was in overtime; and I know we beat them because we won the coin toss and Seattle's offense never got the chance to take the field before the Skins drove down to set up former Maryland kicker Nick Novack's winning field goal, but we beat them!
2. Our defense has gotten better every week during our now 6-game winning streak and last week, the "D" handed the offense a 14 point lead in the first quarter. The lose of Renaldo Wynn won't help the defense, but D-coordinator Gregg Williams prides his defense on the fact that "everyone is a starter", so I'm not counting them out.
3. Mark Brunell and the Skins offense can't be any worse than last week, right? Seattle's defense isn't a juggernaut. They are respectable and are number 5 in the league against the run, but do you think Clinton Portis is going to gain less than 60 yards two weeks in a row? Plus, the 'Hawks suck against the pass. Do you think Santana Moss won't be open at least three or four times come Saturday?
4. It's Joe Gibbs, man! This guy knows how to win. He knows how to focus his teams like Lombardi and Shula did. His teams may not be more athletic, but they always play with more heart.

I wish I could reveal to all of you (or as they say down the county... ya'll...) what my intuition tells me. But, I'll save that for later. I know that there might not be a later, but as many of you know, I'm extremely superstitious so I'll keep my sooth-sayering to myself. But, just so we are on the same page, know this...

Sean Taylor won't be suspended for the game... he's going to play. A punk or not, he's our best defensive player and our defense is great with him, not just good. Have you ever tried to pick up a football lying on the ground while you are running full speed? Its almost impossible! You almost always end up kicking it out of bounds! (Brian Fox... I still love you , man.) Taylor has done that twice in the last two weeks and scored touchdowns both times! He's the man! Sean, you can spit on me whenever you want.

(By the way, how the hell can the NFL fine Clinton Portis more money for wearing non-matching socks than they fined Taylor for spitting on a dude?! That sounds ridiculous to me and many others like Michael Wilbon and Ryan Harbaugh. Did I miss something? Spitting on someone is never acceptable, but unmatching socks cost you more money in fines? Bullshit!)

Clinton Portis' shoulder is fine. Portis says he's ready to go. As much as Clinton has seemed like a major-league weird-o with his weekly press conferences and costumes, the guy is a fucking warrior. He knocked out a Bucs linebacker with a block last week... did you see that?! And he had numbness in his shoulder the whole game! Tough is tough, and Clinton Portis is tough.

Demitric Evans replaced Wynn in the Tampa game and had a sack. Not bad for a guy who filled in at D-tackle last year. Reminds me of some other unknowns who made names for themselves in the playoffs in '82. (Shit! I'm giving away my prophecy!)

And... Coach Joe doesn't coach the Seahawks!

So what happens Saturday? The Skins' have to show up on both sides of the ball. They have to establish the run and wear the Seahawks down. Mark Brunell (who played at University of Washington, and returns to the pacific Northwest for the first time since 1897) has to pass for more than 41 fracking yards! The defense has to stop Shawn Alexander, who just so happens to be the NFL MVP. The Skins are good against the run. Its doable. The Redskins have never given up all year. This game shouldn't be any different. They can win this game, Redskin fans.

This all may be wishful thinking, but I stand by what I say. I had a hard time thinking clearly this week with emotion getting the better of me, no matter how hard I tried to just look at the facts. Well, you see some of the facts before you... you can decide whatever you want. But, as a brief look into my prognostication on the Redskins season, consider this:

Joe Gibbs took the last Redskin team he coached in his second year... all the way. No one gave that team a second thought, even though they only lost one game in that strike-shortened season. Until he proves otherwise, I'll stand by that. It's not a given. Check the facts and decide for yourself. But, just in case... anyone need a roomie in Detroit?