Coming off one of the ugliest losses in team history, the Washington Redskins are scrambling for answers.
The Redskins and Donovan McNabb will be looking to bounce back from consecutive losses when they visit the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Washington made headlines on Monday afternoon when reports began to surface that McNabb, who had been removed for the final two series of a 37-25 loss at Detroit in favor of Rex Grossman in Week 9, had signed a long-term extension that included a guaranteed amount of $40 million.
That bonus number turned out to be less than $4 million, something the Washington front office is probably happy about after what happened on the field later that night.
The Redskins (4-5) allowed the most points at home in franchise history and were blown off the field 59-28 by division rival Philadelphia. It wasn’t all McNabb’s fault - though he threw three interceptions - because it was more about a Washington defense that had absolutely no idea how to stop Michael Vick.
The Eagles’ quarterback threw for 333 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 80 yards and two scores in the rout. Vick threw an 88-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson on the opening play of the game and Washington was down, 28-0 after the first quarter and 45-14 at the half. Ten of Philadelphia’s first 15 plays went for at least 11 yards or a touchdown.
At this point, a season that had so much promise with the arrival of McNabb and two-time Super Bowl winning coach Mike Shanahan coming to town is in serious trouble. The Redskins are allowing a league-worst 415.3 yards per game on defense and don’t have the type of quick-strike offense to cover those holes.
McNabb will receive his bonus this year but could be cut at the end of the season with no further money due should Washington decide to go in a different direction.
The Titans (5-4) don’t have anyone on the roster who can match the explosiveness of Michael Vick, but they do have a new wide receiver who should have little trouble getting past the Redskins’ secondary. Randy Moss was quiet in his first game with Tennessee, making just one catch for 26 yards in a 29-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Moss, who had been claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings during the bye week, had worked with backup Kerry Collins for most of the week leading up to the game as Vince Young nursed an ankle injury. But Collins went out with a calf injury in the first half, leaving a hobbled Young to lead the team in the second half.
Young does not have Vick’s speed but has been known to escape the pocket and use his legs from time to time and his ankle should be healthy enough to allow for that sort of creativity on Sunday.