The Redskin Report

Over the course of his young career, Sean Taylor has taken each match-up with Terrell Owens. In his rookie season, his forearm blast to the end of Owens earned him a personal foul and sent a message to Owens that his days of getting a free pass against the Redskins were over. Since Taylor has joined the team, the Redskins have handled Owens better than most. Yesterday, with Taylor out with a sprained knee, Owens got his revenge.

Owens scored 4 touchdowns and Terrance Newman’s late interception sealed a 28-23 Cowboys victory over the Redskins. Its time for Dan Snyder to bring his armored car back to Redskin Park and give a whole of whack of cash to Taylor in order to get the team’s best defensive player signed to a new deal. Ever since Taylor’s been gone, the Redskins defense has reverted to last year’s form; giving up long play after long play and generally not playing well at all.

On the positive side, Jason Campbell has morphed from a good young QB to a good quarterback period. His interception throw at the end was ill advised (although it was also a very good play by Newman) but Campbell matched Tony Romo pass for pass and was one of the only reason’s the Redskins were even given the defense’s 2nd half collapse. Santana Moss also had his best game of the season, including a glorious one handed catch that has to be seen to be believed.

The loss puts the Redskins playoff hopes in danger. One would think that 9-7 would probably qualify in the NFC this year (cheer for the Packers on Thanksgiving), but this week’s game against Tampa is a huge one. A win and your heading home to play a completely dinged up Bills team with a change to move to 7-5 and a loss and you’re looking at another 2005-esque run to get a sniff at the post-season.