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TAMPA – The Washington Redskins looked desperate.
With an imminent match against the Tampa Bay Bucs, there is no indication that success is a major possibility.
Three leading offensive linemen were not going to play for Washington and two of them will not play this season.
The best depth catcher of the Redskins is also out for the year. Jamison Crowder, perhaps the most regular of the two, has been missing for weeks with a sprained ankle. He was not going to play against Tampa Bay, as long as the coaches were hoping for a miraculous recovery.
Starting cornerback Quinton Dunbar was also injured and missing.
The Redskins were facing one of the NFL's most powerful offenses after suffering a 38-14 home defeat against the Atlanta Falcons a week ago.
A loss seemed imminent as well as the beginning of a fall from the summit of the NFC East.
So, of course, the Redskins beat Tampa Bay.
Not like a drums, but enough so that the drum beat to finish first in the NFC East remains vibrant.
The Redskins are what they are and what they seem to be sometimes problematic, especially on the offensive, where punctual production is derisory.
But yes, they are 6-3 in a season where 10 wins very well could win the division.
This is not the NCAA basketball tournament, but the Redskins have an NCAA tournament mentality: survive and progress.
"I think we're a tough and tough team," quarterback Alex Smith said. "A team that has played a lot of big games and important moments, and I do not think we feared them. We accept this role.
"I think these are all good things."
It's not bad, if you win. And the Redskins are used to winning, despite some figures that say they should not do it.
The largest number, usually the most important, is the number of points. Washington averaged 19.5 per game. In fact, this should mean a record of 3-6, not 6-3.
But two other numbers have the Redskins where they are. The defense gives up 19.4 points per game and the Redskins have a ratio of more than 11%, which is essential in any season, but especially when the points differential is 0.1 per game.
"These games are very, very close," said Redskins coach Jay Gruden. "It boils down to a business figure here or there or a penalty."
Well, the games are very, very close, unless you say, the Saints of New Orleans or the Los Angeles Rams. But these teams operate at a different level than almost every other NFL team this season.
The Redskins are just trying to hang on.
That's what they did on Sunday. Tampa Bay had 501 yards in attack. The Bucs played 67 pieces and counted 13, 12, 12 and nine pieces. The Redskins only had one hard drive for double-digit games, 11, and this led to a placement.
"They're holding the ball, we're staying cool in attack," said Gruden. "It really was not a bad formula this week because we really did not have so many opportunities to ruin everything."
Instead, Smith knew that he had to take advantage of every opening, even if it involved taking some risks. And Smith normally has an aversion to risk.
The Redskins' only touchdown took place when Smith danced in a pocket, letting escape a leak in his makeshift line before signing a 6-yard pass to Josh Doctson in the backcourt in heavy traffic. .
"I felt that I saw him very well," Smith said. "I have a lot of confidence in our guys … that they will fight for me.
"With the D-line, they have … it's not one of those games where you have the luxury of seeing guys open and things like that. You must anticipate. "
The numbers can not be anticipated. They are the result of attention to detail and never give up a play. The Redskins had two interceptions, the first for rookie cornerback Greg Stroman, a product of Virginia Tech, and the twelfth of his career, Josh Norman, and forced and recovered two fumbles.
Of course, when a team is on the field as long as the Bucs are present, the opportunities to make mistakes are not lacking.
"The coach did not stop saying," Three and out, "" D.J. Swearinger said. "I said," No coach, we want turnovers. "
For the sixth time this season, the Redskins got what they wanted.
"Just look at the dashboard," said Gruden. "That's the whole story.
"The idea is to win the game, and for the moment, we are struggling. But I do not know if there is such a thing as winning ugly. "
Contradictory thoughts, perhaps, but for the Redskins this season, these are quite accurate thoughts.
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