WASHINGTON — This winning business in the NFL is not easy and it has not been for the Redskins. It has been a season of frayed nerves and Sunday’s 26-20 win over the Vikings is the latest addition to the Redskins’ list of dramatic games.
Four of the five Washington victories this season have been decided by seven points or less. The only “easy” win for the Redskins was 31-20 over the winless Browns, and they trailed that game into the fourth quarter.
The Redskins’ 2016 resume lists one tie, and two of their three defeats have been close. After falling flat in a 38-16 season-opening loss to the Steelers, their only losses were by four points to the Cowboys and three points to the Lions.
To be sure, this team makes it hard on itself. After securing a 14-0 lead on the Vikings Sunday, the Redskins failed to score a touchdown the rest of the way. Too often, the Redskins are settling for field goals and have dropped to last in the NFL in red zone scoring. Washington only scores touchdowns 38 percent of the time when getting inside their opponents 20 yard line.
While they may have settled for more field goals than they’d like, the Redskins are not settling when it comes to effort. It shows in how they have been able to wiggle out of so many close calls. This Redskins team is not lucky, but motivated and determined.
Head coach Jay Gruden is providing that motivation. Linebacker Preston Smith — who came through with the late sack on Sam Bradford to close the win over the Vikings — says Gruden has been riding him like a jockey on a horse.
The finish line is a way off, but the Redskins continue to show they have what it takes to stay in the race in an NFC East where every team has a winning record.
