In a stereo-typically rainy afternoon in Seattle, the Washington Redskins defeated (yes they won) the Seahawks 23-17.
This was the Redskins' first win since October 2, which at that time, made them 3-1 and first in the NFC East.
How things have changed.
It's been all down hill since: a 6-game losing streak (the longest of coach Mike Shanahan's career), a current record of 4-7, and yet another loss of any "realistic" playoff hopes.
Yes, the Seahawks now share a 4-7 record with the Redskins, but don't let their record fool you. Among those four Seahawk wins, one came against the Giants and one against the Ravens, two leading teams in the NFL.
However, yesterday's win as well as the overtime loss to the Cowboys, is evidence that the Redskins have not given up. Perhaps it's the installation of so many younger players, perhaps it's the team playing to their real potential.
Whatever it is, the team hasn't given up hope.
With 12:45 left in the game against the Seahawks, the Redskins trailed 17-7, an almost dead-to-rights verdict for this years Redskin team.
But, less than three minutes after Seattle went ahead 17-7, Roy Helu took the game in his hands and hurdled his way to a 28-yard touchdown, his first career NFL score (see below).
[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17rd0UwzjNY']
Helu ran the ball 23 times for 108 yards, hands down his best game as a running back. We all will remember his receiving efforts against the 49ers (14 catches for 105 yards), but this game against the Seahawks was his coming-out party as a rusher.
Complementing Helu was Rex Grossman, who threw for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
I'll leave it at that.
The Redskins know they need to address the quarterback position in the 2012 NFL Draft, so let's see what route they choose. Don't worry, Grossman won't be the starter for much longer Redskins fans.
Although this season is essentially lost, what isn't lost is the opportunity for young players like Helu, Perry Riley, and DeJon Gomes to get invaluable playing time. Developing your youth is one of the most important things to do as a franchise.
Riley has been a pleasant late-season surprise, filling in nicely for the injured Rocky McIntosh. In fact, Riley seems to be supplanting McIntosh with his run-stuffing abilities and tenacious sure-tackling (something McIntosh has not excelled at from game to game).
In his three starts this season, Riley has racked up 34 total tackles, seemingly in on every run play.
Gomes was a no-show on the stat sheet against the Seahawks yesterday, but in his fill-in role (for an injured Laron Landry) against the Cowboys in Week 11, Gomes recorded 14 tackles.
Gomes, a rookie, and Riley, in his second year, will hopefully take advantage of their playing time this season and cement a role in the defense for years to come. This will allow the Redskins front office time to worry about filling other positions.
Looking forward, the Redskins will have their work cut out for them if they want to finish with a respectable record.
Until their Christmas Eve game against the Vikings, the Redskins have arguably one of the toughest schedules in the NFL: home against the New York Jets and New England Patriots, and then on the road against the Giants.
Realistically, Redskin fans should not bet their holiday bonus check on any of these three games resulting in a Washington win. However, if I were a betting man, our best shot is this upcoming week against the Jets.
The 6-5 Jets are in the AFC playoff hunt, but have been one of the more disappointing teams this season.
You can blame quarterback Mark Sanchez or head coach Rex Ryan, but for a team that went to their conference's championship game last season, a 6-5 mark at this point in the season is not what the doctor ordered.
Look for the Redskins to ride their impressive come-from-behind victory against the Seahawks and at the very least, make the game against the Jets competitive. Mark Sanchez is turnover prone, and the Jets simply are not the same team they were last season.
(Photo-Courtesy of Yahoo!Sports)
(Jonathan Wigginton is the Chat Sports Senior Writer for the Washington Redskins)
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