Unlike most 3-8 teams with a glaring deficiency or area of need, the 2013 Washington Redskins are a bit of an enigma.
One week, it will be the offense, one week special teams and the next a critical failure on defense is to blame.
Turnovers are up and red zone efficiency is down, but there is seemingly a different reason for each loss--a new Achilles' heel.
One area that has gone according to plan over the last two months has been the consistent production in the running game, led by Alfred Morris.
With 970 yards, he sits just 39 yards back of the NFL lead. But when the team has trailed in every game this season, it becomes difficult to commit to the run.
Such was the case in Monday Night's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, where Morris rushed for 40 yards on 11 carries in the first half, but just 12 yards on three second-half carries.
"We weren't able to execute. They have a good defense, but they didn't do anything special," he said after the game. "They weren't pressuring us at all. All they were doing was playing back [and] D-line was holding their gaps. We didn't do a good job winning at the line of scrimmage. That's on us.
"They came out with basic stuff and we just didn't get it done. I feel overall they just wanted it more than we did."
Morris questioned the team's preparation to a certain extent, speaking frankly about the focus of his teammates in practice.
"It wasn't the greatest of weeks but you'll have that sometimes. Sometimes just because you had a back week or a few bad practices or a few bad periods doesn't mean you're going to have a bad game," he reasoned. "One day we had a few periods where we didn't have our greatest periods. Just one of those days.
"We made a few mistakes, jumping offsides and things like that, but that happens. That's why we practice. If you don't make mistakes you never learn so we go out there and practice and grow from it."
Having wiffed on a number of golden opportunities this season, the Redskins knew that a victory in Week 12 would likely keep their playoff hopes alive, while a loss would secure no better than a .500 season.
But the Redskins converted just one of four first-quarter third downs, gaining just 13 yards in the first three possessions.
"We felt like we had a great chance to come out here and win and we just didn't show up," Morris said bluntly. "It was just too many three-and-outs and we just couldn't get a rhythm.
"We came out with the expectations to win the game but we didn't get it done."
Morris admitted that he and his teammates were frustrated by the team's inability to execute this year, often sabotaging their own success with critical errors.
"It's just frustrating because we know we're better than this," he said. "We're better than what we're putting out there on the field.
"If I had an answer to the problem, I would tell you. We don't have an answer. We're the same team, we have talent, we know we're better than our record says. It's just frustrating when you put it together and can't get a win."
Despite dim playoff hopes and discouraging return on their efforts, Morris spoke for his teammates in assuring the media that this team would not be quitting and would play for the win next Sunday vs. New York.
"It would definitely help us with momentum to get a win. We just [need to] continue to fight and get that win," he said, empatically. "I don't feel like our wheels are coming off.
"Every day we have to show up and put this behind us and just continue to work for it and just take it one game at a time. Watch film on this and see where we can get better and get ready for next week."
.
.
.
