UNDER CENTER WITH MALY-MAL/week 11

The one thing I love the most about the NFL is it doesn’t take long for the rest of the league to catch on to your schemes, and begin to exploit your weaknesses. The coaching greats have the ability to make the necessary adjustments, to continue to put their teams in positions to win. Well, it seems like the rest of the league has figured out Jim Zorn’s version of the ‘West Coast Offense’. Since Washington’s much celebrated win on Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, where they scored 26 points, the scoring trend has been downward… 23, 17, 14, 25* (this was against Detroit. I refuse to count this score in my analysis!), 6, and then the bye week. Conventional wisdom would say coming off of a bye, things would surely improve, right? The Redskins were able to improve, alright. To the tune of an additional 4 points… 10! Conventional wisdom now tells me, the Redskins have been exposed!
Earlier in the year, Clinton Portis rushed for atleast 120 yards in 5 consecutive games. Since then, Portis hasn’t reached a total of 120 yards in the past two games combined… And, both were losses! Portis finished with only 68 yards rushing, against Dallas. Indeed, the Redskins have the first two-game losing streak of Jim Zorn's NFL head-coaching career — both at home, both at night, both on national TV — and have dropped three of five games following a 4-1 start.
"This is the time in the season where those teams that actually are going upward start making that climb, if you will," Zorn said, after opening his postgame news conference with a loud, extended sigh into the microphone. “And we're not making — you know, we haven't made the climb."
Hey Redskin fans, I don’t mean to sound like such a pessimist, but, this story sounds very familiar! “I swear it’s Deja-a Vu-u!” It must be November… Meaning, it must be time for the dream to become a nightmare for Redskin fans.
The Cowboys weren’t all that impressive in their win, though. Tony Romo’s return did not transform Dallas back into the offensive juggernaut they were before Romo’s injury. Romo didn’t pass for over 200 yards, and threw 2 interceptions that killed long drives. It was Marion Barber who put the desperate Cowboys on his shoulders and carried them to victory, rushing for 114 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. To put Barber’s influence on the game in perspective… On the game-closing drive, Romo made six handoffs in a row to Barber, followed by a pass over the middle on third down to Barber, then another four Barber runs. To recap: 11 plays, all to Barber. But, the Cowboys were only able to muster 14 points. However, they got the victory, which ultimately is all that matters.
Around the rest of the league… The Giants pounded the Ravens. Tennessee is still undefeated, after a comeback win against the Jags. The Jets pulled one out in a nail biter, against New England. And, the Eagles are as sorry as the Bengals!

Here’s this week’s ranking:

1) Tennessee Titans – Another big test this week, when Brett and the Jets come to town.

2) New York Giants – Does Brandon Jacobs every have a carry for a loss? He should have a field day against Arizona’s rush defense.

3) Carolina Panthers – As I said last week, only here because of their record. However, I’m not sold after sub-par performances against Oakland and Detroit.

4) Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers are winning with Big Ben’s arm, rather than a rushing attack. As long as Ben keeps the turnovers down, they’re just as potent.

5) New York Jets – New England’s on the downslide… The Titans are on the up swing. We’ll find out exactly where the Jets are, after Sunday’s visit to Tennessee.

6) Arizona Cardinals – In a weak division, the Cardinals look like they’re finally going to win a division title. Beat the Giants on Sunday, and talk will begin of a possible conference title and Super Bowl appearance.

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – I actually believe this team should be ranked #10. But, their record says they’re #7, on my list.

8) Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning is starting to get into regular season form.

9) Washington Redskins – With Santana Moss and Clinton Portis hurt, Campbell’s options are limited. Where are the two highly touted rookie receivers the Redskins drafted?

10) Dallas Cowboys – Romo’s back, and they’re better than the Patriots, Falcons, Ravens, Broncos, and Dolphins. All 6-4, as well.