Todd Collins Leads Redskins Over Bears, Backup QB Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

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What Washington Redskins quarterback Todd Collins did last night was truly remarkable. Here’s a guy who hasn’t attempted a pass of any sort in three years. And he hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in five years. But after starting QB Jason Campbell went down with a knee injury, he was surprisingly thrown into duty in what was arguably the Redskins’ most important game of the season. The results? How does 15 of 20 for 224 yards and two TDs in a 24-16 win sound? With Jason expected out at least four weeks, Todd will be the quarterback to lead the Redskins (now 6-7) the rest of the season. Afterwards Todd said:

“We’ve been through a lot. We really didn’t have any practice time this week, dealing with the death of a teammate and a funeral ….. I’ve been preparing for literally hundreds of games. This was really the first time I was able to go in and get to play in a situation that really mattered.”

Washington’s quest for the playoffs will continue next weekend in New York against the Giants, but they’ll need other teams to lose in order to reach the postseason. If Todd can continue this type of play, they’ll actually have a legitimate shot. Now, do I actually think the Redskins will make the playoffs? No way. I think the team has just been through too much and with the Vikings, Cardinals and Lions still a game up on them in the NFC Wild Card race, I just don’t see it happening.