Baby, Its Cold Outside: Redskins 20, Jaguars 17 OT

"Even when the Redskins are frustratingly, heartbreakingly, soul-scorchingly mediocre, I manage to look forward to Sundays every week. We're only doing this one more time. Sure, the offseason stuff is fun, but it's fun the way the intermission ice hockey mites are fun. I really like the games. And there's only one left."--Dan Steinberg

The big blizzard was supposed to drop a ton of show on us, but then it changed to 1-3 inches. We were going to take the Metro up to Grosvenor, but then figured, what the hell, maybe the roads won't get too bad.

The weather held up, the fire was warm, the fancy cheeses were luxurious, the mood of the RClub with the highest attendance of the year was relaxed, and the Redskins won a close one to go to 6-9 on the season, thanks to the high energy of a bunch of low paid no names on defense, such as Derrion Scott, Joe Joseph, Rob Jackson, Kevin Barnes, and Macho Harris.


We had to watch on tape-delayed DVR while everyone loaded up their bagels with lox and whatnot, but when we pressed play, we watched Rex Grossman toss a short td to Sleepy Davis (after an easy Cooley drop) and Carlos catch an interception--yes--catch an interception. His first since the Houston game..

Then of course the game got bogged down Redskins style, meaning no more offense and no more third down conversions. However, late in the third quarter, Rex and company put together a really long drive that culminated with a Ryan Torain touchdown plunge on 4th down to go up 17-10.

The game went to OT after a David Garrard scramble touchdown.

We lost the toss, but Vonnie Holliday forced Garrard to throw a stupid pass right into the arms of Kevin Barnes--
and Gano slipped in the winning field goal.

A 7-9 record wouldn't be so horrible. It would match the predictions of all the naysayers who said we're be very mediocre though.

Looking back, it made perfect sense to me to envision Donovan McNabb throwing 12 touchdown passes to Chris Cooley thanks to a functioning and robust Shanahan run-oriented offense lead by a finally healthy Clinton Portis.

This did not happen.

McNabb got benched because he has a dearth of weapons at his disposal/he stinks at throwing. Clinton Portis can't get his body to give him one last great season. Cooley often disappeared from the game plan. Santana Moss had a very good year statistically, but he no longer appears to be thought of, or able to be, the deep threat/number one guy. Armstrong made some contributions but he's not that guy either. That guy ain't here yet.

All that's left is the Giants game and a chance to knock out a rival from the playoffs. Spite!