First I want to address the talk I have been hearing from fans about losing teams – Redskins included – tanking the rest of the season to earn a higher draft pick.
I think that is a ridiculous way of thinking. It is understandable wanting a team to draft high, but draft picks don't always pan out and winning as many games as possible is what the current team and fans should want to see.
Although the Redskins are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, running the table these last five games and getting a bunch of outside help is unlikely.
The way they finish, however, will reveal a lot about how this team really feels about itself. It started in Seattle. In arguably the loudest stadium in the NFL, they matched their opponent's intensity and found a way to win.
As much as the media and fans have questioned Kyle Shanahan's play-calling he deserves some props for the last couple games. Imaginative is the word that comes to mind as you watch Roy Helu, Fred Davis, Anthony Armstrong and Jabar Gaffney all make significant contributions.
It was also clear in Seattle that Santana Moss is the most valuable member of this offense. He caught just four passes for 29 yards, but his presence created space for the aforementioned Davis, Armstrong and Gaffney.
Sunday's game against the Jets will be about Rex – both Rex Grossman and colorful Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Both of them will have a say in the outcome of this game.
You can't go a game without talking about Grossman. For the second straight contest, he looked like a decent quarterback. Yes, he did throw two more interceptions to bring his total to 14, but he also threw two touchdown passes and seemed to have confidence running the offense.
If Grossman had played with this swagger previously, there likely would have been less drama this season.
Cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie make up a formidable Jets secondary, but Grossman still needs play aggressively and throw downfield like he did in Seattle.
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has a habit of throwing interceptions, too, so the quarterback position should be interesting to watch on Sunday.
Beyond the quarterback position, the Redskins' defense needs to stop the run. The Jets averaged 6.0 yards per carry last week against the Buffalo Bills and even though the Redskins defense is ranked 10th overall they still struggle against the run.
Finally, Graham Gano has to make his kicks. His misses and blocked attempts are costing this team dearly.
The Redskins have made runs in December before, but never under Mike Shanahan. What record in these last five games would satisfy you?
Lou Holder is a long-time sports broadcaster in the Washington, D.C. region. He hosts "Redskins GameTime Live Presented by Verizon" for Redskins.com and the Redskins Broadcast Network.
