We heard all pre-season about how the play-calling was "vanilla." Little did we know that would also be the flavor of choice during the regular season, as well. After catching wind of the prized Redskins' running backs' assessment of the offense, the Browns agreed with it wholeheartedly. By their estimates, Browns defenders correctly guessed what the offense was doing in 90% of the afternoons' plays. It's quite a staggering success ratio against a team with only a few games worth of film to analyze.
Then again, you can sit in your barcolounger with a beer in one hand and the remote control in the other and come to the same conclusions. This is an offense that is limited in what it can do right now. Quarterback Mark Brunell hasn't necessarily lost games for the team, but he has done nothing to help them, either. Against one of the league's worst passing defenses, he mustered a measly 192 yards through the air. The Redskins are rarely trying to go deep, and it is allowing opposing defenses to concentrate on stopping Portis and the running game without much fear of reprisal.
In addition to the stoic play-calling, Gibbs extended time away from the NFL is proving to be an Achilles heel. He has struggled with most of the nuances of the 21st century game, from the headsets to the play-clock. For the second week in a row, time-outs and bad challenges early in the 2nd half left the team in a difficult position down the stretch. Just about the only thing out of his control has been the plague of turnovers, which once again proved to be a fatal blow.
Now the Redskins are faced with the daunting Baltimore Ravens defense in their quest to right the ship. For a team that is struggling, as the Redskins are, lining up against uber linebacker Ray Lewis and his compatriots is an unenviable task. Against weaker opponents, the offensive line hasn't had much luck opening running lanes for the speedy Portis. The talented wide receiver corps has failed to take advantage of injured and unheralded secondaries. How can they expect to turn that around against one of the leagues best defenses?
It may seem improbable, but not impossible. Sunday night will match up two of the leagues strongest defenses in addition to two of its weakest offenses. The Ravens will again be without their top receiver, tight end Todd Heap who continues to be hobbled by an ankle injury. Reigning rushing champion Jamal Lewis also spent most of his week in a courtroom rather than the practice field. While the pressure of his drug conspiracy case is behind him for now, it still could play into his preparation for this week.
In order to come out of their second primetime game with a victory, the Redskins will likely need a big game from their defense. While they have played solid throughout the season, they have not been able to pick up a timely turnover that can help out the floundering offense. In this game, more than any other so far this season, the Redskins will need big plays from Gregg Williams' unit to give them the edge. They will be without their heart and soul LaVar Arrington for another week, but even with him on the sidelines the team is not devoid of play-makers. In what figures to be a low-scoring affair, it will be up them to do more than just keep the game close.