--One reason for the Redskins' nosedive is that they were outscored 41-0 in the first quarter of their last four games: 3-0 in Seattle (the only victory), 10-0 to the New York Giants and 14-0 in each of the past two weeks against Baltimore and at Cincinnati. Washington has been outscored 82-33 in the first quarter for the season.
"Part of it is, our first drives have not been successful," said coach Jim Zorn, who scripts the first 15 plays. "Maybe it won't hurt to defer if we win the toss. I'm willing to try anything. Those players have enough confidence in themselves to get the job done in that first drive, so it may be the mix we're trying to put together."
Zorn's suggestion about giving up the ball spoke volumes about the incompetence of an offense that only outranks those of Cincinnati, Oakland and St. Louis.
--Zorn, in his scorn for his side of the ball, didn't blame the defense for allowing the six-play, 41-yard touchdown drive that followed Chris Cooley's fumble at the Washington 41 on the third play.
"We gave that football team a short field and we allowed them to get excited about the game," Zorn said. "That was the big issue."
Of course, that doesn't explain the six-play, 94-yard touchdown drive that followed Washington's third series and put the Bengals on top 14-0 after just 11:50.
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