Washington Redskins: By The Numbers

The members of the Washington Redskins would have us believe that Sunday’s 27-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys was supernaturally influenced by a power greater than that on the field. While mysticism may surround the 21-point victory, there’s greater power in the number of healthy and purposeful players contributing to the Redskins’ unlikely run to the NFL playoffs.

With a story line more suited for a New Line Cinema production than an NFC Wild Card berth, the Redskins played their most balanced ball against their most hated of rivals in their most important regular season finale in a long time. Winners of all their ‘must-win’ games in this final quarter of the season, the only effect injuries have had on the team is in newspaper copy, as the stellar play of reserve quarterback Todd Collins has called into question if he or the injured Jason Campbell should be the starter going into the playoffs and beyond.

The injury bug that seemed to infect the team throughout the year seems to have been cured, as wide receivers Antwaan Randle El and Santana Moss have come on in the last four games to complement the reliable production of running back Clinton Portis and tight end Chris Cooley. Offensive line play that was decimated by injuries has been solid of late, and the defensive unit has not allowed a victory less than eight points during this four-game stretch.

It does fans justice to invoke the name of Sean Taylor as a motivator for this team’s resilience, and players will tell you that the proof is in the margin of victory against the Cowboys. But through all of the tragedy, coaching missteps and personnel changes, the Washington Redskins have played to earn the only number that counts: one Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks next Saturday.