52-7... Wow, those 16 points seemed like nothing. The Redskins simply stunk up Gillette Stadium and I now sound like an idiot who didn't, couldn't or just wouldn't recognize how great these Patriots are. And you know what? I'm still not convinced about the Patriots (I'll be convince after this Sunday, one way or the other). But about the Redskins, I'm still somewhat intrigued and I feel like I'll be that way all season. I won't belabor the points everyone is making around DC but I will make this correlation:
Two years ago the Redskins stunk up Giant Stadium with a 36-0 loss to the New York Giants. Aside from the Redskins scoring this time and the Giants not running up the score, there are a lot of similarities to 2005. That year they entered that game with a 4-2 record, with 2 close loses, 3 close wins and a blowout victory. Just like this game they couldn't do anything offensively or defensively and in both cases is wasn't entirely because of the opponent (They ended up beating the Giants 35-20 later that season). They just, for one reason or another, simply sucked. Because of this I am not entirely disheartened by this loss. I just can't make a good judgment about the Patriots on this game because the Redskins didn't show up. (Trust me, I'll be fully ready to proclaim them the Best Team Ever In Any Sport if they convincingly beat the Colts this week)
My point in bringing up that game from 2005 was this: The Redskins aren't as bad as last Sunday. But I don't think they're good enough to improve on that 2005 team which won a Wild Card game and gave the Seahawks a good game in the divisional playoffs. Unless they start playing well, and get lucky (much like Pittsburgh did that year) they're doomed to repeat 2005, or worse.
So here is my prediction: they'll win 2 of their remaining 4 conference games and of the remaining 5 games (vs. Jets, Bucs, Bills, Bears, Vikings) they should beat everyone but they'll probably find a way to lose one or two of them. That should leave them at either 9-7 and 10-6, which in the NFC should be just in or out of a Wild Card spot. So that means they're in good shape Wild Card-wise since they beat the Lions and Cardinals. They just NEED to beat the Giants in their rematch and hope the Packers keep getting lucky and win the NFC Central. If they're lucky enough they may even draw the Packers and get some "revenge" for their "fortunate" win in the same way they got revenge on the Bucs in 2005.
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