Professor Bainbridge...on law, politics, religion, culture & food

Week 5

With week 5 of the NFL season almost in the books, I’m pleased to report that the LA Redskins bounced back thanks in large part to strong performances by trade pickup Randy Moss and waiver wire pickup DeAngelo Williams. Can you say right guys at the right time? Sometimes its better to be lucky than smart. Anyway, we look to be solidly in fourth place, just 35 or so points behind the leader.

If Drew Brees gets at least 5 points more than Ryan Longwell tomorrow night, the Bruinskins will win to improve to 2-3.

Unfortunately, thanks in large part to a bone headed last minute decision on my part to start Trent Edwards over Eli Manning, the Redbruins went down to defeat, falling to 2-3. Mediocrity, thy name is me.

Meanwhile, in the real world, there is joy in Mudville:

Hail to the Redskins indeed. Jim Zorn’s resilient team is growing more impressive by the week. Not only did Washington climb out of an early 14-0 hole at Philadelphia, refusing to wilt after the Eagles scored twice in the game’s first seven-plus minutes, but also the Redskins went on to roll up 388 yards on offense and hold the Eagles to just 254.

And not to jack up the Redskins-mania any higher among the team’s rabid faithful—if that’s even possible—but in the season’s first five weeks, Washington has already weathered all three of its NFC East road games, winning at Dallas and Philly and losing at the Giants. With their next three games being at home against St. Louis and Cleveland, and on the road at Detroit, Washington has a great shot to be 7-1 at the season’s midpoint.

Uh, oh. What do the Eagles do now that they’ve lost a game that Donovan McNabb called a “must-win?’’ A lot of folks picked Philly to come back strong this season and win the NFC East, but at 2-3 they’re already a clear-cut fourth in that tough four-team division.

This one had to hurt worst of all—more painful than the losses at Dallas or Chicago. The Eagles led 14-0 early, and their defense gave up 23 points after having not allowed a touchdown at home this season (against either the Rams or Steelers).

Didn’t a certain illustrated sports weekly pick the Eagles to make it to the Super Bowl? Of course, a certain blogger’s playoff predictions are also looking pretty weak at this point and his failure to be enough a homer led him to doubt his Redskins.