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Brian Swartz · 12-21-2013, 01:24 PM

Detroit(0-2) @ Washington(1-1) -- After a very nice drive gives us first down from the Washington 14, we demonstrate the 8-play series. This is the Ford Way. What, you've never heard of the eight-play series? That's the one where you commit consecutive false starts, then goad the defense into offsides, then hold a few plays later to make sure you don't have a chance of converting. David Akers boots a 32-yard FG and we're up 3-0, so at least that's something. They tie it up immediately, as we fail to stop them on back-to-back third-and-long situations.

Reggie Bush explodes down the right side for 51 yards, then takes it in off left tackle two plays later from 14. That's why he's the starter -- there aren't a lot of backs in the league that have the threat of doing special things, but Bush is one of them.

Third-and-8 for Washington to start the second quarter, and we decide not to tackle for two straight plays. They run for 26 yards on those two plays. The Redskins try to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, but we shoot better. Suh is called for unsportsmanlike conduct in a hit on RGIII, and their drive continues. Eventually he finds Moss with a short toss, and it's even at 10-all. Every drive has resulted in points.

That streak would end as the next drive stalled, but a nice punt return by Burleson sets up an eventual Stafford-Leshoure 1-yard pass play, and we retake the lead at 17-10. The big play was Megatron beating double coverage on third-and-12 for a 17-point gain, one of those plays you just shake your head at. Washington misses a long kick late, and we're still up a touchdown at the half.

They eat up a lot of clock and move down the field to start the second, but Griffin is off-target on third-and-goal and all they get is three points. It's the Reggie Bush show when he gets the ball back, screens and decent running plays. He bursts a 17-yarder into Washington territory ... nope, holding on the Lions. Momentum killed, and we punt protecting a four-point lead.

Both teams make fairly inept mistakes heading into the fourth as the defenses increasingly have control of this game. Every drive brings us closer to our first win. With about seven minutes left, Johnson turns a short gainer into 26 yards, and we have a chance to put the game away. Three incompletions later, Akers drills a 39-yard kick and our lead is back to seven at least, 20-13 with still over six minutes to go.

They finally string a few plays together and are 36 yards away at the two-minute warning: we need one more stop here. Griffin fumbles, then gets it back, and unnecessary roughness moves them down to the 15. Unnecessary, and absolutely inexcusable. Griffin throws for the endzone ... interception! Rookie Darius Slay is there with a game-preserving play, and time runs out for Washington.

Stafford is 26-43 for 209, Bush runs just 9 times for 87 yards, and Johnson has 10 catches for 82. Our big three on offense did just enough to get the win in a very even game.

12-21-2013, 01:24 PM	#8
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	Detroit(0-2) @ Washington(1-1) -- After a very nice drive gives us first down from the Washington 14, we demonstrate the 8-play series. This is the Ford Way. What, you've never heard of the eight-play series? That's the one where you commit consecutive false starts, then goad the defense into offsides, then hold a few plays later to make sure you don't have a chance of converting. David Akers boots a 32-yard FG and we're up 3-0, so at least that's something. They tie it up immediately, as we fail to stop them on back-to-back third-and-long situations. Reggie Bush explodes down the right side for 51 yards, then takes it in off left tackle two plays later from 14. That's why he's the starter -- there aren't a lot of backs in the league that have the threat of doing special things, but Bush is one of them. Third-and-8 for Washington to start the second quarter, and we decide not to tackle for two straight plays. They run for 26 yards on those two plays. The Redskins try to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, but we shoot better. Suh is called for unsportsmanlike conduct in a hit on RGIII, and their drive continues. Eventually he finds Moss with a short toss, and it's even at 10-all. Every drive has resulted in points. That streak would end as the next drive stalled, but a nice punt return by Burleson sets up an eventual Stafford-Leshoure 1-yard pass play, and we retake the lead at 17-10. The big play was Megatron beating double coverage on third-and-12 for a 17-point gain, one of those plays you just shake your head at. Washington misses a long kick late, and we're still up a touchdown at the half. They eat up a lot of clock and move down the field to start the second, but Griffin is off-target on third-and-goal and all they get is three points. It's the Reggie Bush show when he gets the ball back, screens and decent running plays. He bursts a 17-yarder into Washington territory ... nope, holding on the Lions. Momentum killed, and we punt protecting a four-point lead. Both teams make fairly inept mistakes heading into the fourth as the defenses increasingly have control of this game. Every drive brings us closer to our first win. With about seven minutes left, Johnson turns a short gainer into 26 yards, and we have a chance to put the game away. Three incompletions later, Akers drills a 39-yard kick and our lead is back to seven at least, 20-13 with still over six minutes to go. They finally string a few plays together and are 36 yards away at the two-minute warning: we need one more stop here. Griffin fumbles, then gets it back, and unnecessary roughness moves them down to the 15. Unnecessary, and absolutely inexcusable. Griffin throws for the endzone ... interception! Rookie Darius Slay is there with a game-preserving play, and time runs out for Washington. Stafford is 26-43 for 209, Bush runs just 9 times for 87 yards, and Johnson has 10 catches for 82. Our big three on offense did just enough to get the win in a very even game.