Shanahan Shut Out For First Time In Career, Drop Under .500

The Washington Redskins' free fall to the bottom of the NFL continued in week 8, losing 23-0 to the Buffalo Bills in a game that was played in Toronto. For the first time in his career (267 games), Mike Shanahan coached a team that was shut out, and this one was never close. The Redskins never seemed like the team that started 3-1, and with the loss to the Bills, the Skins have lost three straight out of their bye week to drop to 3-4.

The Redskins never got it going offensively against the Bills, finishing the game with under 200 total offensive yards. John Beck, making his second start in a row, teetered on the average to bad scale, but leaning more toward the bad side. He completed 20 of his 33 pass attempts for 208 yards with no touchdowns, but he did complete two passes to the Bills defense. He was also sacked nine times by a defense that only had recorded four sacks in the six previous games combined. With the absence of Santana Moss, Fred Davis was once again his leading target. Davis saw nine balls come his way, catching eight of them for a game-high 94 yards. The Skins were also without Tim Hightower, who was lost to the injured reserve last week, and it showed. Hightower had been effective as Washington's lead back, and the running game hasn't been the same since he went down. The team combined for 26 total rushing yards against Buffalo, which is down right terrible. Ryan Torain totaled 14, Beck had 10 and Donte Stallworth added another two. Rookie receiver Leonard Hankerson saw some playing time throughout the game. He didn't do too much, and in fact, carried over his shaky play that was seen in the pre-season. He had four targets, and only made one catch for 23 yards in the first quarter. He missed on a catch in the endzone that could have got the Skins on the board in the 4 th quarter.

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If a bright spot had to be pointed out for this game, it would have to be the play of London Fletcher. Since his arrival in Washington, he has been the anchor of the defense, the most consistent performer on an overall inconsistent defense. Stat wise, and trying to keep the team in the game, Fletcher didn't disappoint against his former team. He recorded 20 total tackles, 12 of which were solo, was in on a sack and picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick. The sack brings his total to two for the year, and the 20 tackle outburst gets him near tops in the league in that category. Fitzpatrick fumbled as well, recovered by Brian Orakpo for the Skins. In Washington's only real chance at scoring any points, Graham Gano's only field goal attempt was blocked.

The Skins return home in week nine to face the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers. Washington is 2-1 at home, and the 49ers are 3-0 on the road so far this season. San Francisco has won five straight since losing in overtime to Dallas in week two. It's going to be a tall order, but hopefully the Redskins can right the ship, or the front office can probably start preparing for another top 10 pick in next year's draft.

By Matthew Dagen
ProFootball-fans.com Washington Redskins Correspondent