Games like the one we saw yesterday only happen when one team comes ready to play and the other does not. A full hour before kickoff yesterday, it was very clear which team had energy and enthusiasm. I tweeted about it at the time, but I’d be lying if I told you I expected an outcome like that.
The most likely scenario is that the Hawks season is now just about playing out the string.
Sun, Nov 1 @ Dallas
Outcome: Loss, 2-5
Sun, Nov 8 Detroit
Outcome: Win, 3-5
Sun, Nov 15 @ Arizona
Outcome: Loss, 3-6
Sun, Nov 22 @ Minnesota
Outcome: Loss, 3-7
Sun, Nov 29 @ St. Louis
Outcome: Win, 4-7
Sun, Dec 6 San Francisco
Outcome: Win, 5-7
Sun, Dec 13 @ Houston
Outcome: Loss, 5-8
Sun, Dec 20 Tampa Bay
Outcome: Win, 6-8
Sun, Dec 27 @ Green Bay
Outcome: Loss, 6-9
Sun, Jan 3 Tennessee
Outcome: Win, 7-9
A loss @ STL is possible as is a loss at home against SF. I can envision one upset here or there that gets us to 8-8, but that’s about it.
As you’ve probably read by now, Lofa is out for the season with a torn pectoral. It will be very interesting to see if David Hawthorne’s game against the Bears was a fluke. He had 2 tackles for loss after replacing Lofa yesterday. If Hawthorne emerges, what kind of trade scenarios does that open up?
A few things stood out to me from the game yesterday:
* Larry Fitzgerald is awe-inspiring. That catch he made on 3rd and 2 on the first drive of the game after falling to the ground was shocking. It’s like he is out there catching balls with a big salmon net. I don’t understand why they don’t throw him the ball every single play. I honestly don’t think he is defensible.
* What is the world was DD Lewis doing on that onsides kick? He moved toward it and then backed away from it. Embarrassing.
* People will blame the offensive line for our trouble moving the ball, but Matt was back there looking for receivers and finding nobody. He did not have endless amounts of time, but he had enough to make 1-3 reads and get rid of the ball. Greg Knapp gets an F- for yesterday. He was soundly beaten by the Cards defensive schemes. I can’t remember the last time our offense looked that inept. Knapp also has shown a disturbing tendency to get desperate in the worst times. The 3rd and 5 call to go deep to Deon Butler was desperate and low percentage. We have not hit that play all year, and we’re all of a sudden going to nail it then? Passing on 2nd and 3rd and goal from the 3 yard line? Starting the second half with two straight runs? If I had to pick one goat, he’d be the one.
* Nick Reed finally got significant playing time and was a non-factor. Too bad.
Those were the thoughts worth sharing. Bad weekend for Washington football.