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Week 16: Redskins improve to 9-6 with a 27-20 win at Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 23, 2012).


1. An amazing run continues.

The Skins have won six consecutive games for the first time since winning the final five games of the 2005 regular season and then winning at Tampa Bay, 17-10, on Jan. 7, 2006, in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

The Skins have won six consecutive games in a regular season for the first time since winning seven consecutive games in Weeks 2-9 of the 1996 season.


2. The Skins’ playoff scenarios are as follows:

The Skins will win the NFC East for the first time since the 1999 season if they beat Dallas at FedEx Field in Week 17.  The game was flexed to the Sunday-night position on NBC, and kickoff will now be at 8:20 p.m. on ESPN 980 and ESPN980.com.  

The Skins could still make the playoffs with a loss to the Cowboys (who would win the NFC East with a win over the Skins), but the Skins would need both Chicago (at Detroit at 1 p.m.) and Minnesota (home to Green Bay at 4:25 p.m.) to lose.


3. Rookie quarter Robert Griffin III was clearly not at a hundred percent but played well in his return from a one-game absence.

RGIII did not play in the Week 15 38-21 win at Cleveland due to a grade-one sprain of the LCL in his right knee suffered on a fourth-quarter second-and-19 13-yard scramble in the Week 14 overtime win over Baltimore.  

RGIII was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

RGIII completed 16 of 24 passes for 198 yards, two touchdowns, a pick and a passer rating of 102.4.  He has had a passer rating of at least 101.8 in each of the five games he’s quarterbacked during the six-game winning streak.

RGIII, thanks in large part to the right knee, had just two carries for four yards.  He gingerly ran out of bounds on a first-quarter first-and-10 five-yard zone-read-option run on a drive that resulted in a turnover on downs.  Head coach Mike Shanahan during his postgame press conference: “We didn’t do everything that we would normally do…did not wanna put that pressure on that LCL.”

Quality throws from RGIII included:
•    Third-quarter third-and-10 22-yard touchdown pass to receiver Santana Moss, who did a spectacular job of keeping both feet in-bounds.  RGIII floated a perfect pass.  The score helped to give the Skins a 27-13 lead.

•    First-and-10 zone-read-option play-action pass to receiver Pierre Garcon for 29 yards on the first offensive play of the third quarter.  The drive resulted in rookie running back Alfred Morris’ third-quarter 10-yard touchdown run.

•    Third-quarter first-and-10 21-yard completion to tight end Niles Paul off play-action.  The next play was Morris’ third-quarter 10-yard touchdown run.

•    Second-quarter second-and-eight 11-yard touchdown pass to receiver Joshua Morgan on a receiver screen

•    Second-quarter first-and-10 27-yard completion to Garcon.  The drive resulted in Forbath’s 42-yard field goal.

•    Fourth-quarter second-and-six 10-yard completion to Morgan.  The drive did result in a punt.

•    First-quarter first-and-10 17-yard completion to Garcon on a great throw into traffic.  The drive did result in a turnover on downs.

•    First-quarter third-and-nine 10-yard completion to receiver Leonard Hankerson.  The drive did result in a turnover on downs.

•    First-and-10 17-yard completion to Morris off play-action on the first play of the second quarter.  The drive resulted in kicker Kai Forbath’s (KY FOHR-bath’s) 45-yard field goal.

•    Fourth-quarter third-and-two eight-yard completion to tight end Chris Cooley off zone-read-option play-action.  But two plays later was RGIII’s interception.

Bad throws from RGIII included:
•    Fourth-quarter second-and-nine pick to safety Colt Anderson, who returned the ball 37 yards.  RGIII threw hard and high to Morgan, and the ball bounced off his hands and into the grasp of Anderson.  The ensuing Eagles drive resulted in running back Dion Lewis’ first-and-10 17-yard touchdown run that helped to cut the Skins’ lead to 27-20.

•    First-quarter third-and-two incompletion intended for Paul.  RGIII threw high off zone-read-option play-action.  The drive resulted in a turnover on downs.

RGIII enters Week 17:
•    First in the NFL in yards per attempt (8.27)

•    Tied for second in the league in passer rating (104.1)

•    Fifth in the league in completion percentage (66.4)

•    First in the league in rushing yards per attempt (6.6)


4. The Skins’ defense had yet another Jekyll-and-Hyde performance.  First, the good:

The good from the Skins’ defense included two first-half takeaways, five sacks and holding the Eagles to 5-for-15 on third downs.

Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan had two sacks, aided greatly on another sack and finished with five tackles.
•    Kerrigan displayed relentless pursuit in beating rookie right tackle Dennis Kelly for a third-and-15 sack-strip on the final play of the first quarter.  The fumble was recovered by rookie corner Richard Crawford, who generated a 10-yard return.  The ensuing Skins drive resulted in Forbath’s second-quarter 45-yard field goal.

•    Kerrigan beat Kelly again for a second-quarter first-and-10 sack for a three-yard loss.  Two plays later was linebacker London Fletcher’s third-and-12 pick.

•    Kerrigan pushed Kelly back to where Kelly’s left foot landed on rookie quarterback Nick Foles’ right foot, causing him to fall down on a third-quarter fourth-and-two sack for a three-yard loss.  The sack officially went to linebacker Lorenzo Alexander.

•    Kerrigan stuffed running back LeSean McCoy for a one-yard loss on a second-quarter first-and-10 carry.  The drive resulted in a three-and-out.

•    Kerrigan did over-pursue on a first-quarter third-and-two six-yard run by rookie running back Bryce Brown.  But the drive resulted in Kerrigan’s third-and-15 sack-strip on the final play of the first quarter.

•    McCoy did run by Kerrigan on a fourth-quarter third-and-one six-yard run on the drive that resulted in Foles’ game-ending five-yard illegal-forward-pass penalty.

Nose tackle Barry Cofield played very well, including producing three of the Skins’ six passes defended.
•    Cofield tipped the pass on the play that resulted in Fletcher’s second-quarter third-and-12 pick.  The ensuing Skins drive resulted in RGIII’s second-and-eight 11-yard touchdown pass to Morgan.

•    Cofield provided pressure on Foles on a fourth-quarter third-and-seven incompletion.  The drive resulted in a punt.

•    Cofield tipped a pass that resulted in a first-and-10 incompletion on the game’s opening drive, which did result in receiver Jeremy Maclin’s 27-yard touchdown reception.

•    Cofield displayed excellent pursuit in bringing down Maclin for a tackle on a second-quarter second-and-nine four-yard reception.  The drive resulted in kicker Alex Henery’s (HEHN-ree’s) 38-yard field goal.

•    Cofield hit Foles after he delivered the ball for a two-yard completion to McCoy on a second-quarter first-and-20 on the drive that resulted in Henery’s 38-yard field goal.

•    Cofield did fail on an attempted tackle of Brown on his second-and-10 nine-yard run on the game’s opening drive, which resulted in Maclin’s 27-yard touchdown reception.

Fletcher, who was probable with his sprained left ankle, led the Skins with 12 tackles and had a pick for a third consecutive game and for the fourth time in five games.  He generated a nine-yard return off his second-quarter third-and-12 pick, which was due in large part to Cofield tipping the pass.  The ensuing Skins drive resulted in RGIII’s second-and-eight 11-yard touchdown pass to Morgan.  Fletcher now has a career-high five picks this season.  He did fail on an attempted tackle of Brown on his second-and-10 nine-yard run on the game’s opening drive, which resulted in Maclin’s 27-yard touchdown reception.  That drive also saw Fletcher get blocked exceptionally well by right guard Jake Scott on McCoy’s second-and-three six-yard run.

Linebacker Perry Riley had a first-quarter second-and-seven sack for an eight-yard loss, impressively hurdling over McCoy to get to Foles as defensive coordinator Jim Haslett rushed six Skins.  The next play was Kerrigan’s third-and-15 sack-strip.  Riley also tackled McCoy for a one-yard gain on a second-quarter second-and-13 run.  The next play was Fletcher’s third-and-12 pick.

Defensive end Jarvis Jenkins tackled McCoy for a three-yard loss on a third-quarter first-and-10 carry on a drive that resulted in a turnover on downs.  


5. And now the bad from the Skins’ defense:

The bad from the Skins’ defense included giving up 411 yards of Eagles offense, including allowing Foles to go 32-for-48 for 345 yards, a touchdown and a pick.

Corner D.J. Johnson had another rough game.
•    Johnson got beat by Maclin on his first-and-10 27-yard touchdown reception on the game’s opening drive.

•    McCoy ran through an attempted arm tackle by Johnson on a second-quarter first-and-10 15-yard reception.  The next play saw Johnson fail in an attempted tackle on rookie receiver Damaris (duh-MAHR-iss) Johnson on his first-and-10 12-yard reception.  The drive resulted in Henery’s second-quarter 38-yard field goal.

Corner DeAngelo Hall had a mixed game.
•    Hall got beat by Maclin on a third-quarter first-and-10 38-yard reception on the drive that resulted in Henery’s third-quarter 30-yard field goal.

•    Hall got beat by receiver Jason Avant on a third-and-12 11-yard reception on the game’s opening drive, which resulted in Maclin’s first-and-10 27-yard touchdown reception.

•    McCoy ran by Hall on a fourth-quarter third-and-one six-yard run on the drive that resulted in Foles’ game-ending five-yard illegal-forward-pass penalty.

•    Hall did get significant push on McCoy on Kerrigan’s second-quarter first-and-10 sack for a three-yard loss.  Two plays later was Fletcher’s third-and-12 pick.

Linebacker Rob Jackson had a mixed game.
•    The good from Jackson included:
o    Stuffing McCoy for a two-yard loss on a first-and-10 run on the game’s opening drive, which did result in Maclin’s first-and-10 27-yard touchdown reception

o    Providing very good coverage on a second-and-12 incompletion intended for Maclin on the game’s opening drive, which did result in Maclin’s first-and-10 27-yard touchdown reception

o    Stuffing Brown for no gain on a third-and-one run on the game’s opening drive, which did result in Maclin’s first-and-10 27-yard touchdown reception

o    Getting significant push on rookie center Dallas Reynolds on Kerrigan’s second-quarter first-and-10 sack for a three-yard loss.  Two plays later was Fletcher’s third-and-12 pick.

•    The bad from Jackson included:
o    Getting run by McCoy on a seven-yard run on the game’s first offensive play.  The drive resulted in Maclin’s first-and-10 27-yard touchdown reception.

o    Getting run by McCoy on a third-quarter second-and-four five-yard run.  The drive did result in a fourth-quarter punt.

o    Failing on an attempted tackle of McCoy on a first-quarter second-and-10 eight-yard run.  The drive did result in Kerrigan’s third-and-15 sack-strip on the final play of the first quarter.

Crawford had a mixed game.
•    The good from Crawford included:
o    Recovering the fumble and producing a 10-yard return on the Kerrigan sack-strip on the final play of the first quarter

o    Providing good coverage that forced a one-yard Foles scramble on a second-quarter third-and-11 on a drive that resulted in a three-and-out

•    The bad from Crawford included:
o    Botching his coverage responsibilities to the point that Maclin was open in the end zone on a late-fourth-quarter third-and-two at the Skins’ 17.  But Foles made a bad throw, and the pass was incomplete.  The drive resulted in Foles’ game-ending five-yard illegal-forward-pass penalty.

o    Getting beat and then getting run by receiver Riley Cooper on his third-quarter first-and-10 18-yard reception.  The drive resulted in Henery’s third-quarter 30-yard field goal.

Safety Madieu (muh-DEE-oo) Williams came in unblocked on a safety blitz (as Haslett rushed seven Skins) for a third-quarter second-and-nine sack for a seven-yard loss on the drive that resulted in Henery’s third-quarter 30-yard field goal.  But Williams failed on an attempted tackle of McCoy on a first-quarter second-and-10 eight-yard run on the drive that resulted in Kerrigan’s sack-strip on the final play of the first quarter.   And McCoy ran by Williams on a late-fourth-quarter fourth-and-two 12-yard reception on the drive that resulted in Foles’ game-ending five-yard illegal-forward-pass penalty.

Lewis’ fourth-quarter first-and-10 17-yard touchdown run saw him run by safety Jordan Pugh (PYOO), who also was run by on McCoy’s fourth-quarter third-and-one six-yard run on the drive that resulted in Foles’ game-ending five-yard illegal-forward-pass penalty.

Defensive lineman Stephen Bowen, who was questionable due to a torn upper-left biceps suffered in the Week 15 win at the Browns, pressured Foles (thanks to quality coverage by the Skins’ secondary) on his game-ending five-yard illegal-forward-pass penalty.  But Bowen failed in an attempted arm tackle of McCoy on his fourth-quarter third-and-one six-yard run earlier on the drive.

The Skins were incredibly lucky on the game’s final drive.  Foles made a bad throw to an open Maclin in the end zone off the botched coverage by Crawford on the third-and-two at the Skins’ 17.  Two plays later tight end Evan Moore dropped a first-and-goal-at-the-5 pass that should have resulted in a touchdown.

Soft coverage employed by the Skins resulted in consecutive Foles completions of 10, 10 and 21 yards on the fourth-quarter six-play 61-yard drive that resulted in Lewis’ first-and-10 17-yard touchdown run.

Safety Dejon Gomes suffered a second-degree sprain of his left MCL on the opening kickoff of the third quarter.

McCoy returned from a four-game absence caused by a concussion suffered in the Skins' Week 11 rout of the Eagles.  He had just 13 carries for 45 yards but totaled nine receptions for 77 yards on 11 targets.

Eagles head coach Andy Reid revealed on Monday (Dec. 24) that Foles played the entire game despite suffering a broken right (throwing) hand in the second quarter.

The Skins enter Week 17:
•    31st out of 32 NFL teams in opponents’ third-down efficiency (43.6 percent; 88-for-202)

•    30th in the league in fewest passing yards allowed

•    Tied for 22nd in the league in sacks (30)

•    Fifth in the league in fewest rushing yards allowed

•    Tied for 13th in the league in fewest rushing yards allowed per attempt (4.2)

•    Tied for 21st in the league in fewest points allowed per game (24.7)

•    Sixth in the NFC in takeaways (28)

The Skins enter Week 17 second in the NFC with a turnover differential of plus-14 (28 takeaways versus 14 giveaways).


6. Morris had another impressive performance.

Morris had 22 carries for 91 yards, including a first-and-10 10-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the third quarter.

Morris had a first-and-10 nine-yard run three plays before his touchdown.

Morris had consecutive runs of five, 10 and six yards on the third-quarter seven-play 50-yard drive that resulted in RGIII’s third-and-10 22-yard touchdown pass to Moss.
•    Morris’ second-and-five 10-yard run saw him run by linebacker Jamar Chaney, make corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie miss on an attempted tackle and then drag safety Kurt Coleman, who was clinging to Morris’ left leg.

•    The next play saw Morris run by defensive tackle Fletcher Cox on a first-and-10 six-yard run.

Morris was key on the second-quarter five-play 25-yard drive that resulted in RGIII’s second-and-eight 11-yard touchdown pass to Morgan.  Morris had a second-and-eight six-yard run on which he drove his helmet into Coleman for yards after contact.  The next play saw Morris with a third-and-two four-yard zone-read-option run.  Two plays after that was Morgan’s touchdown.

Morris broke through an attempted tackles by Anderson and corner Nnamdi Asomugha (NAHM-dee AH-suhm-wuh) on a fourth-quarter first-and-10 14-yard run.  The drive did result in a punt.

Morris had a first-and-10 17-yard reception on the first play of the second quarter on the drive that resulted in Forbath’s 45-yard field goal.

Morris needs 104 rushing yards in Week 17 to break Clinton Portis’ team record for rushing yards in a season (1,516 in 2005).

Morris enters Week 17:
•    Fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (1,413)

•    Tied for 10th in the league in yards per carry (4.7)


7. Skins pass catchers continued to shine.

Garcon had seven receptions for 89 yards on nine targets as the Skins improved to 8-1 when he’s active this season and 1-5 when he’s not.
•    Garcon had a first-and-10 29-yard reception on the first offensive play of the third quarter, making an excellent leaping catch his arms extended above his head.  The drive resulted in Morris’ third-quarter first-and-10 10-yard touchdown run.

•    Garcon had a second-quarter first-and-10 27-yard reception.  The drive resulted in Forbath’s 42-yard field goal.

•    Garcon had a first-quarter first-and-10 17-yard reception.  The drive did result in a turnover on downs.

•    Garcon provided a terrific block on rookie corner Brandon Boykin on Morgan’s second-quarter second-and-eight 11-yard touchdown reception.

Morgan had two receptions for 21 yards on five targets, including the second-quarter second-and-eight 11-yard touchdown reception on which he broke through an attempted tackle by Anderson.  Morgan also had a second-quarter second-and-nine seven-yard run on which he ran away from defensive end Trent Cole and then hurdled over an attempted arm tackle by Anderson.  The drive resulted in Forbath’s 45-yard field goal.

Moss had two receptions on three targets for 26 yards, including the third-quarter third-and-10 22-yard touchdown reception on which he impressively dragged his left foot in keeping both feet in-bounds.  Moss now has eight touchdown receptions this season, his best total since recording nine touchdown receptions in his first season with the Skins (2005).  Moss also had a first-quarter second-and-two 12-yard run on which he ran by defensive end Brandon Graham.  The drive did result in a turnover on downs.

Paul’s lone reception was the third-quarter first-and-10 21-yard reception.  The next play was Morris’ third-quarter first-and-10 10-yard touchdown run.

Hankerson had the first-quarter third-and-nine 10-yard reception on a drive that did result in a turnover on downs.  The only other time he was targeted saw him with a drop on a third-quarter second-and-10 incompletion.  The next play, though, was RGIII’s third-and-10 22-yard touchdown pass to Moss.  Hankserson also had a great block on Rodgers-Cromartie on Moss’ first-quarter second-and-two 12-yard run, though the drive did result in a turnover on downs.

Cooley had the fourth-quarter third-and-two eight-yard reception for his first catch since being brought back on Oct. 22.  But two plays later was RGIII’s interception.


8. Cobra Kai set an NFL record.

Forbath went 2-for-2 on field goals of 45 and 42 yards in the second quarter.  He improved to 17-for-17 on field goals, setting a record for most consecutive made field goals to begin an NFL career.

Twelve of Forbath’s 17 field goals each have been at least 42 yards.  Forbath’s field goals have been of 50, 20, 43, 45, 48, 45, 47, 25, 25, 48, 33, 48, 49, 34, 44, 45 and 42 yards over 10 games with the Skins.  

Forbath did see just two of his six kickoffs result in touchbacks and now has seen just 15 of his 56 kickoffs result in touchbacks with the Skins.


9. The Skins finally played an entire game without a key offensive lineman but did just fine.

The Skins entered this game having had the same starting offensive line through all 14 games this season.  But right tackle Tyler Polumbus was inactive due to a concussion, and so 2011 seventh-round draft pick Maurice Hurt started at right tackle.

The Skins allowed just one sack and now are tied for 14th in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed with 32.

The Skins totaled 128 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 carries (4.6 yards per carry).  The Skins are first in the NFL in rushing yards and are tied for third in the league in yards per carry (5.1).

Center Will Montgomery played the entire game despite having suffered a grade-two sprain of his left MCL in the Week 15 win at the Browns.  Montgomery incredibly was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Left tackle Trent Williams came across the field to block Anderson on Morris’ first-and-10 10-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the third quarter.


10. Miscellaneous Notes:

RGIII, Williams and linebacker/special-teams standout Lorenzo Alexander were named to the NFC's Pro Bowl roster Wednesday (Dec. 26).  Fletcher and Morris were named as alternates.

The Eagles, who fell to 4-11, remained without receiver DeSean Jackson, left tackle Jason Peters, right tackle Todd Herremans and center Jason Kelce (KEHL-see).

This game proved to be the last home game for Reid with the Eagles, who fired him on Dec. 31.

Running back Evan Royster had just two carries, but each went for seven yards and a first down.  The 14 rushing yards were his most since the Week 3 loss to Cincinnati (two carries for 21 yards).
•    Royster had a second-quarter third-and-two seven-yard run on which he broke through an attempted tackle by linebacker DeMeco (deh-MEE-koh) Ryans and then made Graham miss on an attempted tackle.  The drive resulted in Forbath’s 45-yard field goal.

•    Royster had a third-quarter second-and-four seven-yard run on the drvie that resulted in RGIII’s third-and-10 22-yard touchdown pass to Moss.

•    Royster had a key pass-protection block on Ryans on RGIII’s third-quarter third-and-10 22-yard touchdown pass to Moss.

The Skins, who entered this game tied with the Cowboys for last in the NFL in fewest accepted penalties with 111, had just three accepted penalties.  The Skins enter Week 17 30th out of 32 NFL teams in fewest accepted penalties with 114.  The Cowboys are tied with St. Louis for last in the league in fewest accepted penalties with 116.

Punter Sav Rocca averaged 43.0 yards and 38.0 net yards on two punts.  He’s dealing with a torn meniscus in his right knee and enters Week 17 25th in the NFL in yards per punt (44.1) and 24th in the league in net yards per punt (38.1).

The Skins held Johnson, who entered Week 16 tied for fourth in the NFL in yards per punt return, to just one punt return for 10 yards.  The Skins held Brown to an average of 18.5 yards on four kickoff returns.  The Skins enter Week 17 fifth in the NFL in fewest yards allowed per punt return (6.7) and 14th in the league in fewest yards allowed per kickoff return (23.4).

Inactives for the Skins were Polumbus, receiver/returner Brandon Banks, receiver Dezmon (DEHZ-mihn) Briscoe, rookie guard Adam Gettis, linebacker Roderick Muckleroy and linebacker Vic So’oto, who was signed from Green Bay’s practice squad on Dec. 19.

Rookie guard Josh LeRibeus (luh-REE-biss), a 2012 third-round pick, was active for just the fifth time in 15 games this season.  

Rookie offensive tackle Tom Compton, a 2012 sixth-round pick, was active for the first time this season.

The Skins remained without:
•    Linebacker Brian Orakpo (torn left pectoral muscle suffered in the Week 2 loss at St. Louis)

•    Defensive lineman Adam Carriker (right quadriceps tendon tear suffered in the Week 2 loss at St. Louis)

•    Safety Brandon Meriweather (torn right ACL suffered in the Week 11 rout of the Eagles; Meriweather missed the previous nine games due to an injured left knee)

•    Safety Tanard Jackson (indefinite suspension due to a third violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy)

•    Corner Cedric Griffin (four-game suspension without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances)

•    Rookie linebacker Keenan Robinson (torn pectoral muscle suffered in the Week 12 win at the Cowboys)

•    Tight end Fred Davis (torn left Achilles suffered in the Week 7 loss at the Giants)

•    Running back Roy Helu Jr. (placed on injured reserve on Sept. 26 due to turf toe; he also had dealt with tendinitis in both Achilles)

• Right tackle Jamal Brown (hip problems; was kept on the physically-unable-to-perform list past the deadline of Nov. 27, ending any chance of him playing this season)

•    Offensive tackle Jordan Black (four-game suspension without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances)