Brunell, Redskins prove they’re for real

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, October 03, 2006  |  Comments( 13 )

Washington Redskins
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Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars was unquestionably the Washington Redskins' biggest test of the early 2006 season. Following an 0-2 start that saw Washington lose painfully to the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys, the team has since rebounded.

Many believed the Redskins' Week 3 victory over the Houston Texans was a product of a poor opponent, but the 'Skins' win over the Jaguars proved that, at 2-2, they should once again be taken seriously.

The NFL is the best league in the world because things change so quickly, that it's impossible and imprudent to jump to conclusions. Most in Washington wanted 36-year-old quarterback Mark Brunell benched after poor play in the team's 0-2 start, but the wily 14-year veteran has since laid rest to those calls.

Frankly, it's almost hard to believe Brunell and the Redskins' offense was able to demoralize the Jags' top-flight defense, scoring 36 points in a 6-point overtime win that ended with a dramatic 68-yard Santana Moss TD, sending the 90,000-plus at FedEx Field into a drunken stupor of euphoria.

"He's the best after the catch I've played with," said Brunell, referring to Moss' skill.

High praise, indeed, since the QB has thrown to the likes of Jimmy Smith during his career.

Considering Brunell was playing with a stitched-up elbow, it makes his tremendous effort all the more impressive.

Against Jacksonville's stingy 'D', Brunell completed 18 of his 30 pass attempts for a robust 329 yards and three touchdowns. Not bad, huh? Especially considering Brunell hit on 24-of-27 attempts in Week 3's 16-point victory over Houston, including a league-record 22 straight completions.

In Washington's first two weeks of the season, Brunell 35-of-61 for 360 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He was also sacked six times, all of them coming in the Week 2 Dallas debacle.

Since his two-week stint of ineptitude, Brunell has found his groove, having gone 42 out of 57 for 590 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. How many times has he been sacked, you ask? Zero. That's right. Nada. Give all kinds of credit to the oft-overlooked Redskins offensive line, which put the clamps down on the Texans and Jaguars in winning efforts.

The Redskins will face off with the division-rival New York Giants in Week 5. It should be a huge early-season matchup, since both teams are jockeying for key positions in the NFC East race. And with the weakness known as the Giants' secondary, there's no reason to believe Brunell and friends won't continue letting the good times roll.

--Got feedback? E-mail Connor J. Byrne: cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Have an idea for making the site more enjoyable to our readers? Please send it to us at feedback@realfootball365.com. Get more on the Washington Redskins at RealFootball365.com.
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CommentsComments: 13  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
tele1		10:19 AM
10/03/2006
I dunno nuthin' no more. It's crazy I tell ya ! I think season 2006 still promises many more twists & turns for the redskins -...
No.2
Dave		10:34 AM
10/03/2006
Two Words: Redskins Apologist. Personally, I think the Redskins are better than they played against the Cowboys and Vikings....
No.3
William		11:07 AM
10/03/2006
To Dave: Either you don't understand football, or you don't know the 'skins...take your pick. Moss is NOT the reason for the...
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