Staring at a 2-4 record, the Redskins dressed quietly in the post-game locker room reflecting on Sunday's disappointing 25-22 loss to the Tennessee Titans and the challenges that lie ahead.
"Obviously, you never want to be in this type of situation, but we're in it now," defensive end Renaldo Wynn said. "So we've got to stay together as a team during this tough time. That's easier said than done sometime, but I know that with the type of guys we've got in this locker room, we are going to stick together as a team."
Added wide receiver Brandon Lloyd: "We're not in the position to point fingers at each other. I believe in Mark [Brunell], I believe in our offensive line, I believe in Clinton [Portis], I believe in our receiving corps. All we can do is just go out and execute the plays that are called."
On offense, Washington scored two quick touchdowns to take an early 14-3 lead over the Titans. But the offense fell into a familiar pattern of inconsistency, scoring one more touchdown the rest of the game.
The offensive play calling got away from running back Clinton Portis, who logged just 14 carries for 58 yards. Portis was asked if the offense got away from its identity of being a run-first team.
"When the play's called, we have to make the most of it, whatever it is," Portis said. "If we're taking it at them, if we're throwing it, if we're being finesse. We have to take it upon ourselves to go make the plays."
Added Portis: "You don't ever take a team lightly in the NFL. These guys came out and played the game; we came out and played and ended up short. We knew all week that this team was dangerous. We knew they were going to give their best effort. We got up early, had an opportunity to put them away and we didn't."
Left tackle Chris Samuels said the offense continues to make untimely mistakes, including turnovers and penalties.
"We're consistent with mistakes and that's going to beat us every time," he said.
On defense, the Redskins were gashed for 194 rushing yards, including 178 by running back Travis Henry.
Andre Carter, who logged a sack of Vince Young in the first half, said the defense had anticipated the Titans would attack with a strong ground game. The Redskins were without starting defensive tackles Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a in the game.
"They had an efficient running game, similar to the Denver running scheme," Carter said. "Travis Henry was good at reading the holes, and we didn't stop it."
Asked how the defense could improve its play, Carter replied: "We need to be a lot stronger in our seven-man front. Unfortunately, two weeks back-to-back, we haven't done that. So we have to analyze the film, and really be hard on ourselves as individuals. We have to get it done."
At 2-4, is the season slipping away?
"It's easy to find yourself thinking that, but at 2-4 you can't let yourself think this thing is a lost cause," Brunell said. "Because the second you do that, you're in trouble. We're going to take it one game at a time. Obviously we have a tough challenge going to Indianapolis, and that's just going to be what we think about.
"We're just going to try to get a win there and if we do, we'll go on to the next game. This certainly is not a lost cause--we find ourselves in a tough situation, but I think we can dig ourselves out of this one."
