Redskins vs. Saints, 4th quarter and Overtime review

1st quarter review
2nd quarter review
3rd quarter review

As always, play by play is from the NFL game book and my commentary is added in this font.

4th Quarter

Washington Redskins continued.

1-10-NO 12 (15:00) J.Campbell pass short right to M.Mason to NO 6 for 6 yards (P.Prioleau).

2-4-NO 6 (14:26) M.Mason left guard to NO 3 for 3 yards (W.Smith).

Poor vision - Mason cuts right into traffic instead of left into space.

3-1-NO 3 (13:41) M.Mason left end to NO 3 for no gain (R.Ayodele).

Sellers, leading from FB, doesn't see that the OLB has worked his way around the corner and fails to block him.
4-1-NO 3 (12:55) S.Suisham 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.

NO 20 WAS 30, 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:44 drive, 2:09 elapsed

S.Suisham kicks 48 yards from WAS 30 to NO 22. L.Hamilton (didn't try to advance) to NO 21 for -1 yards.

New Orleans Saints at 12:51, (1st play from scrimmage 12:48)

1-10-NO 21 (12:48) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to R.Meachem to NO 30 for 9 yards (L.Landry).

2-1-NO 30 (12:17) P.Thomas right end to NO 32 for 2 yards (R.McIntosh).

The Saints run their standard short yardage play again, doubling Haynesworth and pulling the LG. The guard manages to block neither Fletcher, McIntosh, nor Orakpo but they are forced to dodge him on the way to the tackle and the RB is just over the line when he's wrestled down, with some help from a generous spot.

1-10-NO 32 (11:44) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to P.Thomas to NO 43 for 11 yards (L.Landry, B.Orakpo).

1-10-NO 43 (11:00) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to P.Thomas to NO 48 for 5 yards (C.Rogers).

2-5-NO 48 (10:19) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle to J.Shockey to WAS 39 for 13 yards (R.Doughty).

Chris Wilson rushes from RDE and get carried way outside; the DTs try to stunt but get tangled up in the middle.
1-10-WAS 39 (9:38) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to D.Henderson.

Dropped over the middle.

2-10-WAS 39 (9:33) M.Bell right guard to WAS 40 for -1 yards (R.Jackson).

The Saints make a slot receiver responsible for cutting off backside pursuit on this play, and RDE Rob Jackson, who I had honestly kind of forgotten about, knifes past him and is right in the RB's face when he tries to cut back.
3-11-WAS 40 (8:50) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass deep right to R.Meachem pushed ob at WAS 11 for 29 yards (F.Smoot).

Redskins attempt to overload the offensive right side by blitzing Doughty and Fletcher, and stunting Haynesworth to that side. That just creates a traffic jam, and the only pressure is generated by Orakpo who is left one on one against the LT. Orakpo almost get Brees but he steps up to escape, then sees Meachem break off his route and briefly get open against Smoot.

1-10-WAS 11 (8:20) M.Bell left guard to WAS 12 for -1 yards (L.Fletcher). WAS-K.Golston was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

The FB leads around the edge, but Carter drives back the LT and keeps the RB from making the corner.

2-11-WAS 12 (7:45) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to P.Thomas to WAS 10 for 2 yards (L.Landry).

Saints succesfully set up the blocking for the screen, but Landry does a nice job avoiding a lineman to make the tackle.

Timeout #1 by NO at 06:59.

3-9-WAS 10 (6:59) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to M.Colston (B.Westbrook).

Redskins rush three and put everyone else in zones along the goal line, so the WR has three defenders around him when the ball arrives.

4-9-WAS 10 (6:56) G.Hartley 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.

NO 23 WAS 30, 12 plays, 69 yards, 5:59 drive, 8:08 elapsed

T.Morstead kicks 68 yards from NO 30 to WAS 2. D.Thomas to WAS 41 for 39 yards (R.Harper).

This is a very nice return by Thomas, but what I want to comment on here is that we once again formed a very obvious three-man wedge, just like we and every other team have done all year. That rule change has been a joke, and I'm still bitter that we actually got called for it in the Dallas game. Also, Devin Thomas is really, really fast.

Washington Redskins at 6:52, (1st play from scrimmage 6:41)

1-10-WAS 41 (6:41) J.Campbell pass deep right to M.Sellers to NO 43 for 16 yards (R.Harper).

Saints bite hard on the play action, and Campbell buys himself plenty of time with a bootleg. Despite the lack of pressure the throw is very slow and Sellers has to go to the ground to catch it. Sellers was wide open, and if the throw had been accurate he would have been able to turn it upfield with only one little DB to run over to create a very big gain.

1-10-NO 43 (6:02) Q.Ganther right guard to NO 36 for 7 yards (J.Vilma).

Ganther shows nice vision to see the backside open, cuts back, and runs through two tackles.

2-3-NO 36 (5:17) J.Campbell pass short right to M.Kelly to NO 29 for 7 yards (R.Harper).

Kelly takes the quick hitch, dodges the first tackler, then takes a good angle to avoid the second guy long enough to make the first down.

1-10-NO 29 (4:29) J.Campbell pass short right to D.Thomas to NO 31 for -2 yards (C.McAlister).
PENALTY on NO-C.McAlister, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at NO 31.

Another hitch (is nice that Santana isn't the only guy we can do this with any more?) but Thomas tries to get a little to cute and cut to the inside first; he is rapidly taken down but fortunately gets grabbed onb the facemask.

1-10-NO 16 (4:23) Q.Ganther left end to NO 14 for 2 yards (C.Grant).
Timeout #2 by NO at 04:18.

Mike Williams uses his bulk to open up a hole, but Stephon Heyer can't stop the LDE from working his way down the line and closing it up.

2-8-NO 14 (4:18) Q.Ganther left guard to NO 7 for 7 yards (J.Vilma, D.Sharper).

Williams allows the DT to penetrate into the backfield, but Ganther is so fast through the hole he just runs right by him.

3-1-NO 7 (3:32) Q.Ganther left end to NO 4 for 3 yards (S.Ellis).

The corner almost collapses but Sellers (leading from FB) powers through it.

1-4-NO 4 (2:52) R.Cartwright right tackle to NO 3 for 1 yard (S.Ellis).
Timeout #3 by NO at 02:46.

Mike Williams can't hold his block against the DT. That's the Saints last timeout.

2-3-NO 3 (2:46) R.Cartwright left tackle to NO 5 for -2 yards (S.Ellis).

The Saints stack up the offensive left side and the Redskins run right into the teeth of it. Heyer tries to pull to the left side but is too slow getting there.

3-5-NO 5 (2:04) R.Cartwright right end to NO 4 for 1 yard (C.Grant).

Two-Minute Warning

4-4-NO 4 (1:56) S.Suisham 23 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.

Shaun, Shaun, Shaun... you always seemed like a nice guy. Good luck to you.

New Orleans Saints at 1:52

1-10-NO 20 (1:52) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to P.Thomas to NO 24 for 4 yards (R.Doughty, L.Fletcher). WAS-A.Haynesworth was
injured during the play.
Timeout #1 by WAS at 01:43. Timeout charge due to injury.

2-6-NO 24 (1:43) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to D.Henderson to NO 35 for 11 yards (C.Rogers).

Daniels and Lorenzo Alexander are the DTs. Orakpo is at RDE and carries the middle of the pocket while Alexander stunts around him to the outside. With Orakpo in his face and Lorenzo Alexander bearing down on him, Brees can't step into his throw. The WR, however, does an excellent job of breaking off his route and bailing out his QB.

1-10-NO 35 (1:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to M.Colston (L.Landry).

2-10-NO 35 (1:32) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to R.Meachem to NO 47 for 12 yards (F.Smoot).

1-10-NO 47 (1:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Brees pass deep middle to R.Meachem for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Brees hold onto the ball forever to give Meachem time to set up Landry with that double move, and when he steps up Carter is almost able to get a hit on him but he gets it out just in time. And I know I'm getting repetitive about this, but move Landry to strong safety or get him off the field.

G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.

NO 30 WAS 30, 5 plays, 80 yards, 0:33 drive, 13:41 elapsed

T.Morstead kicks 64 yards from NO 30 to WAS 6. D.Thomas to WAS 25 for 19 yards (M.Jenkins).

Washington Redskins at 1:19, (1st play from scrimmage 1:13)

1-10-WAS 25 (1:13) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short left to R.Cartwright to WAS 39 for 14 yards (S.Ellis).

Dockery and Rabach get outside to set up the screen.

1-10-WAS 39 (:49) (No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short middle to S.Moss to WAS 45 for 6 yards (R.Harper) [W.Smith].
PENALTY on WAS-L.Jones, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 39 - No Play.

1-20-WAS 29 (:43) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short middle to R.Cartwright to WAS 40 for 11 yards (P.Prioleau).
PENALTY on NO-P.Prioleau, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at WAS 40.

Thirty-five seconds and two timeouts to gain 15 yards and be in reasonable field goal range...

1-10-NO 45 (:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short right intended for F.Davis INTERCEPTED by J.Vilma at NO 38. J.Vilma ran ob at NO 46 for 8 yards.

Rock picks up a blitzing safety, who is much too far away to threaten the play, and misses a LB who comes up the middle and drills Campbell as he throws. That's not an excuse for Campbell though - Vilma was all over Davis' out route and there's just now way that ball should have been thrown.

New Orleans Saints at 0:28

1-10-NO 46 (:28) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to D.Henderson.
PENALTY on NO-J.Bushrod, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NO 46 - No Play.

1-20-NO 36 (:24) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete deep middle to R.Meachem (R.Doughty).

Brees is threatend by Haynesworth and Carter, but sidesteps to deliver the ball. It was a nice deflection by Doughty, but the pressure forces Brees to throw the ball a bit behind the WR.

2-20-NO 36 (:18) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to R.Meachem ran ob at WAS 49 for 15 yards.
The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.

3-5-WAS 49 (:12) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to R.Bush pushed ob at WAS 40 for 9 yards (L.Fletcher). P22
Timeout #2 by WAS at 00:07.

1-10-WAS 40 (:07) D.Brees pass incomplete short right to R.Meachem (A.Carter).

Carter gets his hand up and bats it down at the line.

2-10-WAS 40 (:02) G.Hartley 58 yard field goal is No Good, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell. F.Smoot at WAS -9 to WAS 14 for 23 yards
(J.Bushrod).

Overtime

T.Morstead kicks 73 yards from NO 30 to WAS -3. D.Thomas to WAS 20 for 23 yards (C.Reis).

Washington Redskins at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:56)

1-10-WAS 20 (14:56) J.Campbell pass short left to S.Moss to WAS 30 for 10 yards (M.Jenkins).

1-10-WAS 30 (14:24) Q.Ganther right guard to WAS 36 for 6 yards (S.Ellis, R.Ayodele).

Dockery controls the DT and Rabach gets out to the MLB.

2-4-WAS 36 (13:47) J.Campbell pass short right to M.Sellers to WAS 39 for 3 yards (C.McAlister).
The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED.
J.Campbell pass short right to M.Sellers to WAS 39 for 3 yards (C.McAlister). FUMBLES
(C.McAlister), RECOVERED by NO-C.McAlister at WAS 37.

I agree with the many people (including many non-Redskin fans) who argue that there is nothiing on the replay that even comes close to the "indisputable visual evidence" that is supposedly required to overturn a call. But its too late to complain about it now.

New Orleans Saints at 13:47

1-10-WAS 37 (13:47) D.Brees pass short right to D.Henderson to WAS 25 for 12 yards (F.Smoot).

And they're already in field gaol range...

1-10-WAS 25 (12:36) M.Bell right end to WAS 24 for 1 yard (P.Daniels).

Doughty avoids the leading FB to trip up the ballcarrier.

2-9-WAS 24 (11:54) D.Brees pass short right to D.Thomas to WAS 20 for 4 yards (L.Fletcher).

3-5-WAS 20 (11:09) D.Brees pass short right to M.Colston to WAS 14 for 6 yards (F.Smoot).

The completions on this drive have come against very soft coverage. I'm fine with the fact that the secondary played off the Saints receivers most of the game, I think it's a sound strategy against this team. But it makes absolutely no sense when you're desperately trying to keep someone out of easy field goal range.

Timeout #1 by WAS at 10:24.

Saints line up for the field goal, and Redskins call a timeout to ice the kicker. During the pause Sean Payton changes his mind and sends the offense back out.

1-10-WAS 14 (10:22) M.Bell right end to WAS 5 for 9 yards (L.Landry).

RB cuts inside. Doughty is unblocked but misses the tackle.

2-1-WAS 5 (9:51) M.Bell right tackle to WAS 1 for 4 yards (A.Carter). R25

1-1-WAS 1 (9:29) M.Bell up the middle to WAS 1 for no gain (H.Blades).
The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was Upheld.

Timeout #2 by WAS at 08:40.

2-1-WAS 1 (8:40) G.Hartley 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.