Like a plume of kush smoke, the Seattle Seahawks wafted into Landover’s Redskins Park on a high. At 3-1, they were the Class of the NFC and possibly the NFL.
All the Redskins wanted was a hit of that success. Instead, all the Seahawks did was get clean shots at the Redskins quarterback.
They also got the win and the only air the roasted Potato 'Skins got a whiff of was the draft left behind by the Seahawks quarterback as he whizzed by.
Pressure is the best coverage. Unless your quarterback is Russell Wilson.
Wilson’s styrofoam offensive line has periodically been among the worst in the league. There were the obligatory leaks at the worst possible time, but there was also seven penalties which increased Seattle’s poor field position. Fortunately, Wilson’s sprightly feet made all the difference.
On a modest night throwing the football for 201 yards and two touchdowns on 18 of 24 attempts, Wilson dashed without dancing for 122 yards and another touchdown by ground, the most by a quarterback on Monday Night Football.
Wilson pinballed for 80 yards in the first 10 minutes of action and reminded the Redskins about the benefits of a premium passing quarterback with auxiliary instincts and agility outside the pocket.
After the Skins lingered behind a two touchdown deficit, Kirk Cousins kept the Redskins within shouting distance, leading an 11-play, 80 yard touchdown drive in 2 minutes and 56 seconds, to pull the Redskins to within seven with 3:35 remaining.
All the Skins needed was a third down stand to give Cousins another leg to stand on in his campaign to remain the Redskins starting quarterback.
However, Wilson atomized the Redskins defense on one final 3rd and 4 play to dash hopes of a Redskins comeback.
Squeezed out of the pocket like a pin prick popping a helium-filled balloon, Wilson scampered to escape an unblocked Ryan Kerrigan and appeared to be getting lured into a trap as three pass rushers converged on him near the sideline for what would have been a quarterback rib sandwich.
Unexpectedly, Wilson flung the ball over their heads into Marshawn Lynch’s hands. Lynch rumbled forward practically untouched to gain the first down and more.
The play was just a continuation of the Redskins ennui. A visiting third-year quarterback displaying the type of prestidigitation Robert Griffin III was famous for in addition to the prudence and decision-making they imagined Griffin would exhibit was an insult to RGIII’s injury.
At 1-4, the premature ejockulation over Kirk Cousin’s has been tempered, but against the Seahawks secondary patrol, he rebounded from a four interception night against the New York Giants.
Cousins airdropped a few beautiful deep balls to a streaking Desean Jackson for 157 yards and according to Pro Football Focus, he is the yardage leader on deep passes, gaining 415 yards on 22 attempts.
Monday night's primetime loss was more than just one game dropped in the standings. It was desperation exemplified because while the Redskins are not mathematically eliminated in the NFC East, as Week 5 comes to a conclusion their playoff aspirations are already a pipe dream.
