Thursday night at FedEx Field, our Redskins took a well- deserved first step at returning to normalcy, putting together 4 solid quarters of football in beating the defending NFC Champion Chicago Bears.  After the emotion of the previous couple of days, it was great to see them on the field as a team flying around, making plays, and enjoying themselves.  The night was not without its own drama, though, with multiple players going in and out of the lineup due to injuries.  The most important of these, obviously, was Jason Campbell going down in the 2^nd quarter with a dislocated kneecap. The docs popped it back into place right there on the field, as evidenced by Jason’s facial expressions; he will not need surgery, so that was some good news.  But that also meant we had to go to our back-up QB, Todd Collins.  But – Surprise, Surprise -- it looked like Coach Gibbs was a lot less tyrannical on the play calling where Mr. Collins was concerned.  Collins was outstanding in all respects, showing us all what an Al Saunders Run Offense can do when it is allowed to flourish.  The last drive to ICE the game was the most indicative of this, as instead of off-tackle running attempts, we had a balanced attack of run and pass, all the way down the field, to grab the touchdown that sealed the victory.  A very enjoyable night all the way around.

That victory, coupled with losses by the Eagles, Lions and Cardinals this past weekend, have put our destiny in our own hands.  That’s right . . . if we win out, we will be in the Playoffs!  It all starts this weekend against the Giants.  We had them down on the ground with cleats on their throats earlier this year, and we let them up.  We CANNOT make that same mistake again!  We have to get them down and keep pushing!  We have all seen what happens when Eli Manning gets rattled -- he starts throwing the ball well -- to the opposing team!  So we have to get some pressure on him early and get in his head.  Our offense, if last week is any indication, can move the ball against the G-Men, so the issue is going to be who can cover Plastico and everyone’s least favorite tattooed freak Shockey.  If we get another performance like last Thursday from Mr. Springs, and “My Man LaRon” can knock Plastico around a bit, then I like our chances.  If not, then that early Christmas present from NBC of national television for the Vikings game is not going to mean much.  It is December and we are playing meaningful games . . . and that is the best present of all!