Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
November 10, 2000, Washington Post

Redskins Midseason

A football sure is shaped funny: fat in the middle and skinny at the ends. When a football hits the ground it usually doesn't bounce straight up, it ricochets any which way..

Take last Sunday's Washington Redskins-Phoenix Cardinals game. Washington was marching down the field on their way to an easy score. Then Redskins running back Stephen Davis fumbled. The ball angled right into the hands of Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams. More than 100 yards later, Williams was standing in the end zone. The Cardinals were ahead and the Redskins were on their way to a 16-15 loss.

Now the Redskins are in big trouble. How big? Instead of a 7-3 record and dreams of the Super Bowl, the Redskins are 6-4 and hoping to make the playoffs.

What happened?

The Skins spent millions of dollars for some big stars, but they may not have the best team.

The Redskins defense is rock solid. The offense is struggling. One reason is that on the best team that money can buy, the place-kickers are not worth a nickel. The Skins have tried three so far this year and none of them can kick field goals.

Injuries are another problem. Quarterback Brad Johnson, lineman Tre Johnson, cornerback Darrell Green and wide receiver Michael Westbrook have all been hurt. The Skins have as many all-stars on the sidelines as on the field.

The Redskins do not play this weekend. They will need the rest. They have big games coming up against the high-scoring St. Louis Rams and the surprisingly tough Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.

The NFL is full of teams fighting for a spot in the playoffs. The Giants, the Minnesota Vikings and even the New Orleans Saints are winning. The Vikings have the year's hot new star: quarterback Daunte Culpepper. The Vikings' leader looks like a linebacker, runs like a halfback and throws like John Elway.

So the Redskins better get back on the winning track and fast. The Skins have to keep playing solid defense and start putting more points up on the scoreboard.

And oh yeah, that funny shaped ball better start bouncing their way.

FRED BOWEN is the author of sports novels for kids. His latest is "Winner Takes All." Share your sports opinions by writing KidsPost, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the subject field): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2000 The Washington Post