REDSKINS' BREAKTHROUGH SEASON ENDS IN DISAPPOINTMENT

By Mark Bacon
It was great while it lasted. It surpassed all expectations. Three years ago was the last time the Skins reached the playoffs. After that absense, fans turned out yesterday with the hope of witnessing the start of a new beginning, an era, ushered in by second-year Coach Jay Gruden, first-year starting quarterback Kirk Cousins and a collection of veterans and rookies eager to lead a resurgence.

But the promising start against the Green Bay Packers stalled and the Redskins fell behind against a former Super Bowl MVP, QB Aaron Rodgers. The final result? A 35-18 loss that ended the Skins’ season.

After winning only seven games the last two seasons, combined, they regrouped after a 2-4 start to finish 9-7, win the NFC East and a trip to Sunday’s first-round playoff date with Green Bay.

The Redskins didn’t lose Sunday because of serious errors; they simply left too many opportunities between the lines.

The Skins jumped out to an 11-0 lead; it should have, could have, been 16-0. But they missed an extra point and had to settle for a field goal rather than a touchdown early in the first quarter, when DeSean Jackson did not clear the goal line with the ball. They regained the lead at 18-17 at the beginning of the third quarter. Then their offense went dormant and the defense disappeared under the pounding of the Packers’ running game.

Cousins played well, throwing for 329 yards and one touchdown while rushing for another. But their defense couldn’t keep pace with the Packers’ hurry-up offense. The Skins’ young offensive line surrendered six sacks, almost one-fourth the number (27) it allowed the previous 16 games.

Past Skins’ seasons had a dead-end feel, but not this one. In past seasons, Washington had so much dysfunction and precious little professionalism that even when they won, it felt temporary, a fleeting moment of competence. Yesterday was the start of something, even at the bitter end. A new feeling.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers said last week, “You have to learn how to win in the playoffs.” He was completely on target. The Skins hopefully learned all kinds of things from their 35-18 loss to the Packers: If you’re too casual around the end zone, critical points and momentum are left on the field. The team is not quite battle tested enough to keep from being overcome by a team with superior experience. And physicality. But they can take away from the experience that they are close, perhaps very close, to being what they want to be. “This stings right now, but I think we’re building something big here,” Coach Jay Gruden said.

BACON'S BITS: A tip of the hat to Skins' tight end Jordan Reed; why this man isn't STARTING in the Pro Bowl is a crime. And a message to owner Dan Snyder: Leave the team alone during the offseason. Allow what has begun to germinate, to grow. For a change, don’t disrupt things, or meddle with things and personnel. Let GM Scot McCloughan continue to fill them with his savvy combination of blooded winners and blooming young talent.

There’s always next year.

HAIL SKINS!

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