Be Smart and Stay With Collins

With yesterday's convincing win over Minnesota at the Metrodome, Washington is now in the driver seat.

A win Sunday against the Cowboys puts the Redskins in the playoffs with the sixth and final spot in the NFC and they have a patient backup quarterback to thank for it.

Todd Collins has led a once emotionally-drained football team to where even Jason Campbell may not have. Since Campbell's gruesome-looking knee injury against the Bears, Collins has put the Redskins offense on his back and pulled out three straight impressive victories.

And it's not like he's just been handing it off. When facing three solid defenses with impressive front-fours, coach Joe Gibbs needed his quarterback to be able to make plays through the air.

Collins has done just that. Last night's performance may have been the most impressive; 22-of-29 for 254 yards and two touchdowns. But in the last about two and one half games Collins has four touchdowns and a huge ZERO interceptions. A completion percentage above 60 has also helped Collins reach a passer rating of 107.

So now all of the talk has started about whether or not you stick with Collins if Campbell practices and is healthy. The answer is yes you stick with him because he is the guy who has helped turn things around and he has the hot hand. It's that simple.

Is Collins a better athlete and the future of the team? No, of course not Campbell is. But the Skins can't worry about the future right now they need to ride Collins' solid play as long as they can. That might mean that Campbell gets back in during the playoffs but for all the people who say you cant lose your job to injury, you're wrong.

Hopefully Gibbs — who has a tendency to be conservative — wont just go back to Campbell because it's convenient. He and the coaching staff have made some big mistakes this year, but have helped make up for it over the last few weeks. They're playing loose and making big plays, like Portis' halfback option pass to Randel-el.

Let Collins keep throwing it deep up the sidelines and let Portis and Betts do the majority of the work through the middle of the field. With the Cowboys nursing injuries this simple formula should work for Collins and the offense.

Oh and the Defense. Not too much to worry about there. They've been doing their thing all year and will continue to do just that.