Offense offensive

When a defense plays as well as the Redskins defense did against the Cowboys, one would expect that team to win.

And the Redskins defense did a very good job against the Cowboys offense.

As usual, however, the Skins offense and special teams let the defense down.

Kicker Shaun Suisham missed two field goals, his first two all season. His two kicks would have given the team at least a two-score lead, changing the game.

In the second half, the Redskins burned two timeouts unnecessarily. Timeouts that the Redskins needed in the closing seconds.

"It's on me," said Jim Zorn, talking about the missing timeouts in his post-game press conference.

Yes, yes it is.

Game balls

• While it's hard to single out someone on the Redskins' defense, Andre Carter really had a great game pressuring Romo and stopping the run

• Rock Cartwright knew he'd be getting some carries Sunday, but with Ladell Betts out with an injury, Cartwright was all the offense had. He totaled career-high numbers: 67 rushing yards and 73 receiving.

• London Fletcher led the team again in tackles with nine and had a key interception. The Redskins didn't exactly stop the run well, but overall, they stopped the Cowboys when they needed to.

Goats

• Suisham's game was disappointing to say the least. Some kickers are clutch - Matt Stover comes to mind - but then some kickers are simply un-clutch. Suisham hadn't missed a kick this season, but today, when it really matters, he couldn't hit two.

• Zorn made too many bad decisions. The second-half timeout issues, combined with clock mismanagement to end the first half, did not look good for His Medium-ness.

I'm also growing increasing annoyed with Zorn's eternal optimism. The team failed to score a touchdown in the game - AGAIN! - and Zorn was all about how hard the team played.

Zorn, get real. The team is now 3-7 and the schedule is not going to get any easier. Come on. Let's start re-thinking how the Redskins are trying to attack teams.

That's going to be the key going forward. The Redskins need to re-think their offense, because what they've been doing this entire season is not working.

Betts should start over Portis

The Redskins beat the Broncos. Yes, yes. Now, let's get one thing straight.

Betts, not Portis, should start against Cowboys
I don't even care if Clinton Portis is healthy or not.

Betts showed more explosion and burst than Portis has shown at any point this season. Remember that run where Betts bounced off several defenders, as well as doing a little Moss-esque spin move, and picked up 15ish yards? Could you imagine Portis trying to do that this year? He wouldn't have bounced off the defenders, and the only spin move he has done is spinning toward the ground on the way down.

Hearing Zorn at his press conference Monday, it doesn't sound like Zorn was as impressed with Betts (and Cartwright) as I was, but Zorn said that Portis wouldn't play Sunday unless he practiced this week.

Considering Portis hasn't practiced since the preseason, I think it's a good bet that Betts will be starting Sunday in Big D.

If Portis is indeed unhealthy - which would explain a lot of things about his play this season - let him sit and get healthy.

Either way, let's ride the horse that beat the Broncos, as far as he'll take us.

A few Betts links

Betts gets better with more carries

Betts isn't better than Portis, people

Betts not better than Portis, but certainly a better fit

Theismann wants Betts in, Randle El out

Quick reaction: Big win, good win

It figures the Redskins would beat the Broncos.

The Skins have been playing bad teams all throughout the first half of the season - five straight games against winless teams and all - and the Redskins have just two wins and six losses.

But the Broncos - 6-2 - come in, and suddenly the Redskins find themselves a rhythm on offense and win 27-17.

Maybe this second half of the season will be good for the Skins after all.

Sunday, Washington finally found the combination of offensive linemen and running backs for a great running game. A season high 174 rushing yards, mostly behind Ladell Betts.

Jason Campbell didn't make any mistakes. I would not say he played well by any means, but he did not make any mistakes.

But the play of the game might have been when Brian Orakpo knocked Kyle Orton out of the game. Orton had burned the Redskins with two deep 1st-quarter throws.

But Chris Simms was not ready for primetime, completing just 3 of 13 passes for 13 yards and an INT. His play, or lack thereof, allowed the Redskins to stay in the game.

I want to take nothing away from Ladell Betts. He should start again next week in place of Clinton Portis. But Levi Jones made an immediate impact for the offensive line. His play in left tackle allowed Stephon Heyer to move to right tackle (his natural position), and the running game exploded.

DeAngelo Hall needs to shut up

Ladies and gents, I give you DeAngelo Hall after the loss, talking about his skirmish with the Falcons:



I have been a fan of Hall, but this, combined with his poor tackling, hasn't exactly endeared him to me.

Even if Mike Smith did grab him in a "harmful" way and everything happened as Hall said, it's time to just let it go.

Just let it go.

(Thanks to RealRedskins and CSN for the vid).

It almost was

For once, the Redskins' defense could not save the Redskins.

The Falcons, behind Michael Turner (166 yards), were able to run - quite literally - over the Redskins for a 31-17 victory.

The Skins were down 24-3 at halftime, but were able to pull back to 24-17. So close, yet so far. Turner went long on another TD run on the Falcons' next drive and Atlanta pulled away.

First, some points:

1. Ladell Betts should start next week over Clinton Portis, even if Portis is healthy. Betts showed way more speed and power than Portis had all season. Start Betts. Sit Portis.

2. The defense really let the team down. Haven't seen the running defense exposed so badly.

3. Campbell continues to be a lame-duck QB. He won't be around next season. I'd bench him as well. Right now, I trust Todd Collins much more than I do Campbell.

Some other quick thoughts...

I love that Marko Mitchell got into the game and made a few catches. I'd bench Antwaan Randle El and put in Mitchell a lot more. Not sure if Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas will ever make it here, now. Randle El continues to add very little to this team.

Jim Zorn looked like he was bored from time to time on the sideline. I don't think he's very happy right now without being able to call plays.

DeAngelo Hall may be a very good cover corner, but he can't tackle worth a lick. Hall missed more than a few tackles today. Ditto for Laron Landry, who has no excuse. I know Landry is playing out of position, but the guy needs to wrap up players, not go for the big hit.

I have a feeling that unless the Redskins make some significant changes to the way the offense works (big name changes, or something similar), I think the team is seriously looking at a 2-14 season.

Doing the same thing has gotten the Redskins to 2-6. They can't keep doing the same thing and hoping something clicks.