Improving Redskins would ‘love to be the Grinch’ in upcoming games vs rival Giants, Cowboys

Redskins would ‘love to be the Grinch’ in NFC East

ASHBURN, Va. — With three games remaining in the regular season, the Washington Redskins find themselves in the thick of the NFC East playoff race.

Of course, that’s only because their next two opponents are the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, both at home and in prime time.

“I’d love to be the Grinch on their Christmas,” rookie linebacker Brian Orakpo said Monday. “That’s what we’re aiming for. Obviously we’re not going to make the playoffs, but we would ruin some other people’s seasons.”

The Redskins (4-9) can feel more confident about causing some havoc after Sunday’s results. The Giants (7-6) and Cowboys (8-5) both lost, while Washington beat Oakland 34-13 for the first blowout win in Jim Zorn’s two years as coach.

The Redskins have held fourth-quarter leads for five straight weeks. Although they lost three of those games and feasted on a backup quarterback to win the other two, they are unquestionably playing their best football of the season — even if it is too little, too late.

“Our players are getting it,” Zorn said. “The execution of our plans at the beginning of the year were lacking in some areas, and now the plans are being executed in a way that we’re being successful. We’re still putting the same efforts into our game-planning as we did before. I just commend our players and our coaches for working together.”

The cast of characters certainly isn’t the same as envisioned in September. The touchdowns Sunday came from running back Quinton Ganther (two rushing) and tight end Fred Davis (two receiving) instead of Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley, both on injured reserve. Graham Gano made two field goals in his first NFL game. Among those who didn’t play: injured big-money offseason signings Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall.

Jason Campbell had a 106.5 quarterback rating, topping 100 for the second straight week. Devin Thomas’ 29-yard catch set up a touchdown just before halftime. The Redskins have scored 30 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 2006.

Orakpo tied a franchise record with four sacks, and Andre Carter had a pair — tying them for the team lead with 11 apiece. Orakpo has a shot at Jevon Kearse’s NFL rookie record of 14.5.

“We have the three games left just to prove to everybody we’re not going to lay down for nobody — and that goes for everybody, myself included,” Orakpo said. “Regardless of what our record is. I’m tired of talking about our record, and we’re not great, but we’re always going to fight.”

Many of the players who made some noise Sunday — notably Orakpo, Davis, Thomas and Ganther — are young building blocks, giving the team a head start on its offseason reclamation project.

“Those players have been significant,” Zorn said, “because they’ve gotten their shot and they’ve actually worked into a position where they’ve created value for themselves and our football team.”

Campbell is also making a compelling argument to be a part of next year’s plans, even though his contract expires at the end of the season and the front office has been looking for alternatives. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and six interceptions since getting benched against Kansas City on Oct. 18.

Campbell has been routinely battered behind a patchwork offensive line and was slow getting up several times on Sunday, but he didn’t miss a play despite hurting his non-throwing shoulder.

“He has had some poise,” Zorn said. “Since that Kansas City game, that was a turning point for him where he had to make up his mind how he was going to play this game. And he’s been tough-minded on the line of scrimmage, in and out of the huddle, getting hit and getting back up even when he is injured.”

NOTES: Zorn said DT Haynesworth (ankle), CB Hall (knee) and FB Mike Sellers (thigh) could resume practicing this week, at least on a limited basis. … DT Cornelius Griffin strained a chest muscle Sunday but is expected to play next Monday against the Giants. … Running backs coach Stump Mitchell has had a preliminary telephone interview for Southern University’s head coaching job, according to Mitchell’s agent, Burton Rocks.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects in 2nd graf to Dallas Cowboys, sted Philadelphia Eagles.)