The Cardiac Kids are at it again!

What a game for the Washington Redskins! Coming into this three-game stretch (at the Philadelphia Eagles, at home against the Green Bay Packers, and at home, nationally televised, against the Indianapolis Colts), I expected the Redskins to fold, as they normally do in tough stretches like these.

They played a hell of a game Sunday afternoon, enforcing their "bend, don't break" philosophy on defense, winning in overtime, 16-13 against the Packers and their potent passing offense. The co-MVP's of this game would have to go to: first-year wide receiver Anthony Armstrong (3 catches for 84 yards and 1 TD, a 48-yarder); first-year returner Brandon Banks (an explosive returner, reminding me a lot of Chicago Bear Devin Hester); and, most importantly, fourth year strong safety LaRon Landry, who has played at a Pro-Bowl level this year (13 tackles (10 solo), 1 forced fumble and one game-saving interception in OT).

Here are some notable notes about the game and future points for the Redskins:

• The Redskins have been VERY lucky this season, facing the Cowboys when their offensive line was NOT completely healthy; playing against the Texans without their standout linebacker Brian Cushing (suspension); causing the Eagles to rework their offensive gameplan after knocking Michael Vick out of the game; and playing against an injury-riddled Packers team (lost BOTH starting tight ends, their defensive tackle, and, late in the game, their star outside linebacker, all during the game, for the remainder of the game
• The offensive line for the Redskins is in shambles, with ex-Saint Jammal Brown and rookie lineman Trent Williams both exiting the game. Our O-Line is so messed up that we had one backup lineman playing a position he had not played before, even in practice! We hopefully need to be well-prepared offensively if we have to put up a fight against the Indianapolis Colts.
• Our running went NOWHERE and McNabb was turning into a McSandwich due to the second bullet. Because our O-Line was so messed up, our running back, Ryan Torain, had nowhere to run and McNabb was being sacked every other possession - that is, until Clay Matthews - the star linebacker for the Pack - hurt his hamstring muscle midway in the fourth quarter. My reasoning was that he was gassed after chasing McNabb so many times.
• Outside of the Texans-Redskins game, we FINALLY saw an explosive passing attack, with McNabb connecting with Moss (100+ receiving yards); Armstrong (80+ yards and 1 TD) and Cooley (70+ yards). The only concern is McNabb's legs, because we ALL know he is NOT 100% healthy. Throughout the game, he could not escape the pressure, resulting in sacks and throw-away passes. There were times where he could scramble for the first down but never did.
• After a terrible, TERRIBLE first quarter, the defense stood up (as it has constantly this season) and made huge plays - starting with LaRon Landry. The second snap of the game, he forced a fumble; on the last Green Bay snap, he made an interception that resulted in the victory for the Redskins. I saw, after halftime, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett putting heavy pressure on Aaron Rodgers - with outside linebacker Brian Orakpo being a huge part of that plan. When he wasn't blitzing, Orakpo was being 'held' by the Packers' O-Line - this occurrence happening multiple times with ZERO offensive holding penalties.
• Another point to be noted: There were a countless number of times when the Packers' defense committed a pass-interference/holding/illegal contact penalty that was NOT called by the referees! Most of those times, it was on a crucial play in the game that would either prolong the drive or on a third-down play - resulting in the Redskins punting the ball.
• Even though we are 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the division (with wins against the Eagles and the Cowboys), we still need work on both sides of the ball - the Redskins desperately need to work on RUNNING the football offensively and defensively, stopping the deep passes - we are DREADFUL on our passing defense. 
• What REALLY surprised me was the presence of a dynamic punt/kickoff returner. I am SO used to Randle El's pointless running back-and-forth for just a one-yard or two-yard gain - it seemed like he was dancing after receiving a punt. Now, with Banks, we have the constant explosiveness that hasn't been seen since the Brian Mitchell years ('91-'99)

I hope we fix these miscues and continue developing our 3-4 defense and get healthier - who knows, if we keep on rolling like we are now, the Redskins could be playoff-bound! (but I shouldn't get ahead of myself here...)