Hail on Three
Three fans, two continents, one team. Hail on Three brings together Josh Edwards, James Barker and Lee Edwards to talk Washington Commanders football—the good, the bad and the downright baffling. Expect game talk, guests, hot takes and plenty of side tangents. Whether we’re winning or rebuilding (again), we’re along for the ride.
Weekly preview and recap shows throughout the season. Hail.
Hail on Three
Week 3 Preview Show - Commanders vs. Raiders
Lee and James jump on to preview the week three tilt against the 1-1 Raiders on Sunday, with Josh dialling in his contributions. The show includes:
- Lee's lookback game
- James's Matchup Matrix
- Josh's 'Commanders win if' statline
- Scoreline predictions
@HailOnThreePod
I love the idea of getting on a plane to go to a restaurant
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:that's, that is basically what we do. Yeah. Isn't it? It's basically what we're doing.
How would you describe the culture surrounding this football team? You know, the culture is actually damn good.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Hello Sports fans and welcome to the latest episode of the Hail on Free Pod, as I'm here with my good friend James to talk about the Las Vegas Raiders coming into DC for what is turning into a big week free matchup. Uh, it's an early start for me over here in Chicago, a very early start, in fact. Um, but how you doing over in London, James?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah. All good. Thanks. On a. A much needed lunch break. Hectic morning already over here. Um, I can see the sun rising in the background ly. So, um, good to see you up and kicking and I'm, I'm looking forward to your look back. Um, usually brightens my day.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah, it literally, the sun is rising over the, the skyline over my shoulder. Um, it's gonna be a two-hander today'cause Josh has been tied down with a bunch of project work, doing the working day. I think what we've come to realize, James and I, we always knew this in the back of our head, but trying to get two shows out between Monday and Friday when there's a six hour time difference, takes quite a lot of planning, dedication, and working on the fly here. So.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Sheer bloody hard work.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Sheer bloody hard work. We are determined to get out and we will do, I'll put it out there now. So no pressure, um, Josh and James and me really. Uh, but we're determined to get out a obviously a, recap on a Monday, and then later in the week we will be doing this show, the preview show, uh, with all of our segments, um, plenty to talk about, to be honest. So we should probably dive straight into it. Not the most ideal storyline heading into the third week of the season. I did say on Saturday that I thought I saw Jaden get up and I thought he was hurt. Um, we'd obviously already had the news that Grant Polson broke on the Friday, that there was an MRI, um, scheduled that it'd heard about. Not a massive surprise to me, to be honest. Um, when I heard the news yesterday. Um, where are you at, James, on this? For me, it sounds a little bit different to the Bears game, which was more of a, a pain tolerance thing. do you think we see Daniels? I am definitely leaning on no.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:I don't think so. Yeah, I've seen some comparisons to that Bears Week, um, where he didn't practice at all and then suited up, but as you say, that's more pain torrent, as you say, of a rib. This is, this is far too risky and. We all have PTSD from certain previous someone and yeah, I mean. It sounds like unless he can be him and do everything that he wants to do, then they're not gonna put him out there. That's the impression I get. Um, and he wants to see him on the field on Friday, so I thought they might take this up to Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised. They actually rule him out on Friday the way they spoke about it, if he's not on the field. Um, but yeah, I'm, I'm leaning towards no, and I'm okay with that because I, I trust that if he's, if they're throwing him out there, I'm not convinced he's a hundred percent. So I'm. I'm happy to lean on the side of caution this early in the season.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah, I agree. I actually listened last night after I got back from the gym for. Or Dan Quinn's, like 10 minutes on YouTube on the press conference. And I almost thought he was like teeing us up ready to tell us that he was gonna rule rule him out on Friday last time. I don't, I don't believe he practiced all week and they took it right up to the game. But he actually answered, uh, Nicki's question and he literally said if he doesn't get on the practice field Friday, then then he won't be playing. I think the big difference, isn't it, and as you are obviously the PTSD from, from over 10 years ago, we will know about that, but I think the big difference is. If it's a knee, um, and I'm no medical expert, but from the little snippets I've read about if it's a knee issue, if it's like a grade one. Sprain, then maybe it's out, you know, two weeks, one, two weeks. But it can be aggravated and like upgraded, which can easily turn into a six week injury, obviously for mobility. Um, you know, planting, planting your standing foot when you're throwing motion, like it's a, it's a big deal. And if it just gets worse, there's just, there's absolutely point in, in risking him. And if we have to save, save him for himself a little in terms of the competitor in him. Then I am all for, um, I'm all for, yeah. Not taking that risk. So I am with you on that one.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:And yeah, and Max Crosby bearing down on him, um, if he's, if he's hobbled, um, is quite a scary thought. I.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:A hundred percent. Yeah. I just want, look, I don't wanna go back to that Lambo nightmare at all, but I just wanted to kind of get your gauge on this. I mean, he did drop back 42 times. Um, it wasn't working. We didn't run the ball. Kingsbury also does dial up some runs that will inevitably lead to hits. Um, this a bit of a warning? Do we need to pivot while not changing what he does so well? we want, do we want him to be running out of bounds, not into piles? We want to be just lowering this, this risk because you know his frame isn't Lamar Jackson. We all know that, and he's been the most hit quarterback last season and to start this season. So outside of not wanting to change how he plays the game, can we help him avoid some of these hits as well? Do you think?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah, definitely. I think there's lessons to be learned. Um, I think you have to react to what happened in that game. If you don't, then I think it's naive. Um, but yeah, as you say, it was the most. Hit last year. And it doesn't help that he doesn't know how to slide properly either. I, I guess as well, um, he, he can do it. We send him, you know, evade and get out of bounds and go know when he has to, so he, he can do it. Um, yeah, I think, I think some adjustment adjustments needs to be made. I don't think we need to like, you know, write a new rule book for, for him here. But, um, yeah, I think you have to take learnings from the last game. Definitely.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah. And even from last season, really, I mean, I think he, he's the competitor in him, the like warrior in him all ways He. He, doesn't even mind the contact that I think, but we, I don't mind like the callback draws or obviously the read options when he can go outside and you've got the, the sideline for our bounds. But I wanna see him getting seven, eight yards where if he's making someone miss getting to the, getting to the, uh, getting to the edge. of the, both of his nicks have been when he is been tackled from behind. Um, although apparently this one was when he took one straight on the knee, but it was certainly aggravated when he got tackled from behind, say. In the sense that Green Bay was tough to prepare for a short week. I do think we have some benefit of this 10 days in terms of, well, one, some extra days rest, but also hopefully some pretty long meetings inside the building. And um, I hope there is some strategy. I did notice, actually Quinn did say that he didn't like the balance. And while I wouldn't call that like a direct shot at Kingsbury, I do assume there's been a few conversations over the weekend and to start the week. What do you think on that?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah, I saw that comment as well, and I'm sure there would've been, um. Yeah, without diving too much into the nitty gritty, gritty of the game coming up, I think we can see a healthy dose of Chris Rodriguez this week, Lee, which will be, you'll be happy to hear. Um, I think we'll see a pretty fairly even split between, um, him and Crosky merit. Um, so I still don't think they'd wanna be given Crosky Mayor 20 carries a game or anything like that. So, um. Especially if Mariott is out there, that's the way, best way to try and win this game. So yeah. Topped with what happened the last game, and I'm sure there's been discussions and, um, being and Rodriguez back into the fold, um, I'm sure that would be very much on their minds this week.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah, I'm really interested to see how that run game looks, actually.'cause um, I dunno if you can pull it up, but didn't think Nichols pop up on the injury report, um, yesterday? I'm not sure, but
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Mm-hmm.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:anything serious. But, um, yeah, I'm, I'm hoping to see C Rod out there. I've always liked what I've seen from him, but before we get into all that, um, I think we're, as we said, we're both on the, the very likely probability that Daniels does not. Uh, suit up on Sunday, which would mean obviously Marcus Mariota. Now, I also listened to his eight minutes or so on YouTube last night for the presser. Uh, he's very relaxed, very calm guy. Looks like he's looking forward to potentially having his opportunity again. He obviously didn't wanna give too much away. He is probably been instructed not to in terms of if he'll definitely be playing. Um, I would hope they are pretty sure one way or another by now. What's your confidence level on Mark's Because I thought he was fantastic in relief last year. That said, it's very different to come in when you are beating down the Panthers or against a Dallas team that's like down towards at the end of the season. Now he did get us out of a sport in Dallas, played very well, and again, we actually did need to win for our playoff, uh, seeding, although I think the Bears beat the Packers anyway, but we went to know that at the time. So he did. He has played well for us. I if our fan base has maybe hyped up, his ability a little bit though, just in terms of the games he did come in and where when you are starting a game against a pretty stout defense, it's gonna be a very different test. Where's your confidence level?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah, I think I'm, I'm, I'm in the middle. Um, I think. I, in terms of, I think we are actually probably in the, one of the best backup situations in the league. Not only because, um,'cause of Marietta, but because of continuity. Year on year teams have to change their backup quarterbacks. If any of them does actually do something, they end up getting a bigger pay packet somewhere else the following year. So we've got that continuity, which always helps. My only concern was he missed most of camp, um, with an injury. So if. I'm hoping he's not too rusty, but in terms of his knowledge and, um, he'll know how Kingsbury wants to run the offense. I've got no concerns there. So it, it just, it just limits the offense a little bit, obviously with um. Versus what Daniels can do, obviously, but I've got no concerns about him running the offense. It's just the ceiling is capped. So, and as you say this, it's not, there are some nice pieces on their defense, but I don't think it's too scary. Um, I, I think he can do enough to get a win, but I, I think it's gonna be a tough game.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah, I'm with the same line of, uh, thought, I mean, during the off season I said. That was one of our most important signings. I was hoping we wouldn't see him at all, obviously, um, in 2025, but, you know, but backup callback is so, so huge in the NFL now, and there isn't really 32 very good top end start. So when you are talking about a backup, it's really important to have a guy that can come in and run the offense and win you a game in a spot. not sure that many teams have, uh, Marcus Mariota as their backup. He's definitely one of, if not the best in the league. Um, he may, you know, he could probably be a bomb five starter somewhere if a team needed a placeholder for a season. So, in that sense, yeah, it's, it makes me feel better about going into a winnable game. On the other side of the coin, I do agree with you. He didn't throw a ball in preseason, right? I think it was tendonitis, which essentially just needs rest. Uh, the quote yesterday was, he's felt like himself the last couple of weeks, but there's gonna be some rust there, there's no doubt about it. Um, gonna be really interesting. To be fair. Let's get into a bit of a game then. As you mentioned, the, the Raiders and how they might not be the most scary proposition in the world, but they've been fairly stout on defense. I think they haven't given up too. Many points. I mean, 20 points to Justin Herbert LED charger team when you've been turning the ball over a lot yourself is a pretty good alpha, really. Um, obviously there's Crosby, he's the main, the main threat off the line, and we've had our struggles there. Um, stop me if I'm going too much into your, uh, matchup matrix, but how are you overall feeling about how the two teams kind of square off? I mean, it's a pretty nice opponent to have come into town on a shorter week for them, I'd say.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah, I mean, given the fact we are likely without Daniels, I don't think he could ask for a better setup if he is gonna miss a game. Um, I'm not dismissing the Raiders, but you know, they haven't looked. They did beat the Patriots week one, and I think most teams are probably gonna struggle against the charges to be fair to them. Um, but I think in both games, Gino's been pretty poor. Um, he's thrown a few picks already. Um, they're coming off a short week. They got fly over here. We've had a lot of rest. We're at home. So there's many things in our favor, and it does still leave us as favorites. I think to start the week we're at 6.5 and now a three and a half I believe. So we are still favored. Um, and I do think we'll have enough. So in terms of. If you're gonna have to play a backup quarterback, I don't think you can ask for a better week for it.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah, in terms of our schedule at least, there's probably a few other teams you might cherry pick. But yeah, in terms of our schedule, I think that's probably a decent, um, apparent to come to town. I was actually thinking about this though because I'd picked the Atlanta to be a playoff team this year. I thought there was really good signs of that last year. And then what they've added as a pass rush, that's gonna be a really tough game. Next week, and then obviously we go to the West coast for what it's looking like, potentially one of the best teams in the A FC, the Chargers. So if we take all that on board, consider Daniels is very likely to be out this week. I all of a sudden think this game is sneaky big, um, with our backup playing, because I do not wanna be, I don't wanna say staring one four in the face, but you've got two really tough road games after this. And for all the, you know, confidence or hype of having a very good, uh, season, we really, really need this one. I feel about you.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah. Yeah, a hundred percent. Um, we need to get this one under belt. There's tough games coming, really tough games. Um, charger is obviously the big one on the horizon, but we can't look past the Falcons. They look like they've got a lid. Yet d finally, uh, miles would be delighted to see they've got a pass rush for the first time, uh, in forever. And, um, their quarterback seemed right too, and they gave us some trouble last year of course. So yeah, this is a big game. Have to win it. We can't, we can't be going to, um, the Chargers, um, without another win. Yeah, exactly.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:not without another win. Exactly. So, um, you know, for me, I always look at the season and kind of these four game increments and when we looked at the schedule, like we've got a real chance of going three and one there, you know? Now with the injuries, I would say at a minimum we have to try and get to the West Coast, 500. then as we get back to get some of our players back, et cetera, then hopefully we can, we can push on from there. And maybe some of the games later in the season that we fought looked really formidable. Don't look as formidable, even like a Kansas City, that's obviously gonna be very tough on a Monday night at Arrowhead. But you know, something that you would've chalked up to a guaranteed loss a couple of years ago, maybe we've got a real chance there and stuff. So the schedule always plays these tricks with you. But I will say Atlanta has not surprised me massively. I think that's gonna be really tough. And then, um, going over to the West coast, which I can't wait for on a personal level for the trip, but I think that's gonna be. A very hard gain from what I've seen so far from that. But let's not get too far ahead one at a time, as they always say. I think that leads quite nicely into your weekly segment. James, are you ready for your matchup matrix?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah. Um, thanks. For the theme song intro, Josh, much appreciated, uh, the matchup matrix, uh, is here for week three. Um, so I'm looking at, I mean, there's many places we could start based off, um, the last game. You wanna see all areas improve basically. But looking at this matchup, um, I'm looking at how we Fair versus Raiders standout tight end, Brock Bowers, um, I'm. Not too concerned about their receivers personally and their run game so far has been truly awful. Um, looking at some quick stats on the Raiders, they're near the bottom of yards. Um, before contact per carry, their stuff run. Percentages one of the highest in the league. Their run block win rate is one of the lowest in the league.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Are you saying my um. On the prediction show, my rookie and my rookie of the year might be a little bit, uh, misguided.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Possibly, um, they're really struggling against Theran. I, it looks to be, it's not down to gti to be fair to him, it seems, um, he's, he's barely having time to move before he is hit. Um.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:he has struggled though these first few weeks. I thought that was quite notable.'cause you do see these, sometimes these running backs. Especially these high round picks come coming in like almost light it up. And he
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:in past, prior ahead, which is
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Mm,
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:for us as well. So.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:yeah, definitely. And, and Gino's struggling to move it down the field to his receivers. He is getting picked off, so I think they're gonna look to lean heavily on Brock Bauers after what they saw Tucker Craft do to us last week. Um, so I think that's the key matchup there. He's a, he a, he's a friendly target for Gino, um, down the middle of the field, and we know from last week. A top tight end can causes problems. So I'm looking for some adjustments there and I'm really hoping they've identified that as, um, a pain point to try and figure out this week because I think they'll struggle to run the ball on us. And I don't, I'm not concerned, I know Lamore wasn't great last week, but against the average teams, he seems to do okay. And I think they got Jacobi Myers and, um, I dunno the other ones, I think they've got a couple of rookies in there. So, uh. With our secondary, I'm not too concerned there in terms of their receivers. Um, we need to watch out for Rock Bowers. I think they're gonna target him early and often and um, he has potential for yas after the catch as well, much like Tucker Craft. So, um, if we can stop that. I don't see any reason we can't shut down their offense.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah, great shout, mate. I mean, we've always struggled historically against, um, tight ends, haven't we? This is clearly gonna be an area that they're gonna, well, especially as you say, after seeing the tape last week, we really looked in, in a bit of a mess coverage wise. don't know if that's Sandra still going inside and just some communication issues there. I mean, it's his preferred, preferred position, isn't it? Um, but yeah, we're gonna have to see, because I really think he's one of the best to do it in the league. Um, he had a bit of a. not the best Monday night. I did watch the second half, at least on, um,
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:an injury, to be fair. So that's one to watch if he's actually fully, fully healthy. Actually,
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:yeah. Did he practice yesterday? Maybe we can try and get that out. But he, um, on a, on a short week as well, so hopefully if he's not, I, I don't imagine he is gonna go from, you know. 60 to 80 to a hundred percent or whatever he's been playing at. So hopefully, um, he might be a little bit banged off. I think he got Howard to under 40 yards. But that said, the charges did look, did look pretty
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:yeah.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:on defense.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Just on that, the pressure rate allowed is one of the highest in the league so far as well. So if we can get, if we can get pressure, um, Gino generally needs time to get the ball downfield. So, um, hopefully we don't Ms. Wise too much and we can still generate pressure. Maybe we'll see some more dump offs to GTI this week. And, um, some quick passes to, to Bowers. I think that would be his only out really, if we can generate some pressure. So.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah. And to be fair, we still got in the backfield a couple of times against, uh, children love, didn't we? And I think Armstrong has had a pretty good start to the season. Josh named him as his, um, player of the match on defense last week. And when I had a little look at the tape, not in too much detail because I didn't wanna put myself through it, Armstrong was, was generating pressure. So they, I think they're really quite high on Armstrong. I like him as a player as well. be a good time to mention we did sign Preston Smith back to Washington. Um, may have been someone we were looking at and just went, went with Wise. I didn't really know he was out there, to be honest. Uh, he was in Pittsburgh last year, but got cut. So he hasn't been set in the world of light. He's a 10 year vet at this point. His production has been going down, but he does know how to, to get to the passa. Um, if he's in good shape, I think that's probably the best you're gonna get in a few weeks into the season. From the, who's kind of just out there. So what, what, what was your, um, Fort now? I always loved him as a player back in the day, but many years ago.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah, I mean it, they said they were already looking at him before the injury, so. Hopefully that I like it if it is true. They might just be saying it, but, um, if they already had eyes on him and this just kind of sped it up, then, then fair play. They obviously had him in mind for how they wanna do things. So yeah. Good with me. And I saw a picture of him yesterday of Ryan Kerrigan, um, to roll back the ears. So good to see.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah, that was the fun era under Gruden, wasn't it? Those few seasons. He actually had a really good. A career. in Green Bay he had a couple of double digit digit Sac seasons, I think. So hopefully he's still got something left. Yeah, we are trotting out more of these vets still, but that was always gonna happen if somebody went down. I don't think it's gonna help our, um, perception on the average age front too much, but there we go. But yeah, it's always nice to see a play that you used to root for, come back to, to DC as well. So it'd be interesting to see how many, um, snaps he gets on Sunday if he's in game shape. But yeah, I was, I was happy with the signing. Not someone I even really. Gave too much consideration to, I just assumed, I guess, that he was kind of floating around, um, as a rotational piece in Pittsburgh still, but that they must have cut him in the off season. Uh, but yeah. Thanks James. For the, for the matchup matrix, we've really got. You know, in on him as as a player'cause you do not wanna see him get, get leased like we saw last Thursday. Okay. Um, so we are gonna go over Josh before we have a quick break here. So he has given us his stat line as he does every week. And if this one comes in, he thinks that Washington win the ball game. What you're noticing this week, Josh.
Hello, fellows, Josh here. Sorry not to be able to join you for today's podcast, the Raiders preview, uh, day job's getting particularly busy at the moment, but happy enough to dial in my Washington Wind stat line. This one. Um, so week one I had score 20 points would be the Giants that came through 21 6, final score on the nose, bang on, um, last week against the Packers. I had, uh, if we get 150 rush yards or over, we all win the game. Um, as we talked about a length, we did not commit to the run and we were not successful in running the football. Uh, when we did try to too much against Green Bay, we ended up with 51 rush yards. Lost that one. So I do feel like I'm two and oh, even though the skin's a, a one-on-one. Moving on to the Raiders game on Sunday. Now I'm going back to basics a little bit on this one as well. Um, we have no takeaways through the first two games of the season. We don't have a, uh, recovered fumble or an interception. Yet, I know we've had one chalked off for a penalty, but we haven't really looked that, uh, threatening on defense in terms of getting takeaways either. Now, Gino's thrown four picks through the first two games and was a little bit suspect at the times, especially last week. Um, I'm going with a plus two turnover margin, uh, in turnover plus and minus column. Washington wins that line. So if we get a plus two turnover margin, I think we will win this game. Uh, I think it'll be a tight game because of the, uh, potential that Jane Daniels does not start, I think in the sort of game where you have a backup quarterback even. The capable one in Marietta. I think, uh, you have to keep things, uh, tight and you have to, um, play sound football fundamentals. Um, back to the kind of Alex Smith, Jay Gruden era of, uh, fewer mistakes and winning the turnover battle, uh, I think to sweep past these guys. So plus two and turnover margin is my Washington win stat line. Look forward to hearing your predictions. I will send my prediction in separately for the end of the pod.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Thanks Josh. I'm right there with you, mate. I definitely want to see us get a turnover or two in this one and what better player to do it against. But Gino we know has his, um, aggressive streak in him. He puts a lot of air under the ball sometimes. It can be very exciting to watch, but he's definitely got interceptions in him. I think his foreign interceptions to one throne touchdown this season. So, as you say, a real key for the game. Um, and look, it's been an area of focus, hasn't it? Since Quinn came into DC um, to be turned the ball over. They were very good at it in, in Dallas, weren't they? With Drew, with Junior and Dan Quinn. So we were one of the. Only teams to make the playoffs with a negative turnover margin last year. I believe. Um, stats are, are really important. So would say if we can get plus two, I'm right there with you. I don't see us losing the game with a plus two margin, even plus one I think would be, would be really beneficial. Uh, any thoughts on that from Josh?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:No. Yeah, I love it. Um, I would love to. See some takeaways and you say, there's no better game than this one. Uh, we're gonna need the defense to step up. And Gino we know he likes to chuck out there, especially if it's getting a bit desperate in the game. And, um, he's not had a lot of time, um, to get the ball out, but he'll still give it a go, which means he's not gonna have time to do it, but he'll still do it. So that means it'd be very inaccurate. Inaccurate probably. So there'll be chances there.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah, absolutely. Um, right on that note, it's time for a quick break. I'm literally being blinded by the Chicago Sun right now. Um, so I need to put this blind down and grab a quick drink of water, I think, but we'll. We are back and I can see again, I just said to Jane they don't often do calls before, um, 8:00 AM in the morning from home. So yeah, I was getting a little bit blinded there by the sun. Um, but here we go. So segment is gonna be my look back and this is one I've been looking forward to doing since I've seen the schedule. So James, you might have to, uh, bear with me a little bit on this one as I am. back a good few years, in fact, either of us were born, so yeah, quite a while ago, an historic era for both franchises with two elite football teams. used to watch, uh, an NFL films video of the early eighties Redskins that my dad brought for us as, as kids. And I mean, just seeing some of the, these players out there was kind of, it, it just reminds me of my childhood growing up, watching some of, some of this old tapes. So this was, uh, one the best regular season games ever in this era. An era by the way of. uh, is pretty much a different sport, then you could do whatever you wanted really in terms of hitting the quarterback and what you want in the past game. So it was an era of defense, this was an absolute bomb burner of a game. So we are going back to 1918 free, and it is week four at RFK. And the defending Super Bowl champion Redskins are coming in free and won. This is October the second, 1980 free. The Raiders had, uh, won the Super Bowl a few years earlier in 1980 as well. So this was two top tier franchises at the time. Looked at, looked back at the tape last night and looked at the stat line. Um, an incredible game of football. So John Riggins into the end zone to put a seven to nothing up in the first half. And we went in at halftime at 17 seven in complete control. The Raiders, though, they took over the second half, which included. Two touchdowns from Calvin Mohammed, thrown by Plunkett, the longtime qb. Um, I mentioned Calvin Mohammed's touchdowns'cause Washington actually signed him via trade the year later. And as I think it's one of those where. They just have a standout performance against you and you end up signing them. I think we had a few injuries in 84 and, and traded for the guy. Um, but yeah, he was really good for the Raiders that day and he had a great season in Washington with some really great numbers. Uh, he he passed away a couple years ago, actually aged just 64. But Calvin Mohamed put the Raiders in a great position. There was also a punt return. For 97 yards for the LA Raiders at the time. and that changed the course of the game. They were up 35 to 20 into the fourth quarter. Washington did pull one back, but down two scores. They needed a magical play from their special teams. tried an onside kick. It's kind of one of those deep onside kicks. Um, it went, it went really far, but it had such a great bounce on it, and the skins came up with the ball in that drive. They got a feel goal. So they were only down five going into the last few minutes of the game. They stopped the Raiders and got the ball back and Joe Fesman led the team down the field. A catch from Charlie Brown inside the 10 set up a Joe Washington touchdown with 32 seconds left, the crowd goes absolutely wild.
Hurry up. Offense here. The redkin to the line of scrim, the six yard line. They've gotta have a touchdown. They trail by five. The six yard line Heisman with a straight drop looking, looking into the end zone. Frozen, the middle, Washington, Joe, Washington,
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:It's 37. 35 Washington, that is the end of the game, as Jim Plunkett phrase, A late pick to seal the game for Washington. It was just a Hail Mary. There was a few seconds left, but this is an incredible game. Um, if you go back to like modern football compared to this era, like we saw obviously the bills week one, what can happen, but 37, 35 in 1983, that is not normal. And this was two of the best teams in the league, James. You're gonna have to look at YouTube on this one. What a game.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:I'll certainly give this one a look. You've sold it to me once again, um, with your look back. Um. I've not heard of this game before at all, so news to me. So, um, I'll certainly be given that one a look back. Um, did you, did you go back and watch the game in full? Was it a full, uh,
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:I didn't watch the game in the fall, but there is a 30 minute clip on YouTube, which has all the big plays.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:nice.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:And yeah, I just remember watching this tape as a kid growing up.'cause it was just, it was just an incredible game. I'll do my honorable mention in a minute, but mean, this, this game doesn't happen in 1983, like FA 7 35. I mean, we scored, um, three times in the last eight minutes, but the onside kick was really. Was really what changed, what changed the game. But, um, do you wanna hear some of the stat line? Because, I mean, this is just, this is like poetry emotion for this era of football. You are gonna know some of these players. Okay, so, so Plunkett, who was the Raiders qb? He was drafted in 1970. By the Patriots and was traded around the league, ended up in the Raiders in 1980, won two Super Bowl, four of'em. uh, I mean, can you imagine that getting drafted and then 10 years later get traded or win two Super Bowls? Uh, so he is not a hall of fame of it, I don't think he's far off. He was, um, he was certainly, certainly a big time player. And then Howie Long, who is obviously on the Fox Main crew. He is an absolute monster. So talking about, you know, worrying about what's coming from their line, um, on, on Sunday. Yeah. Howie Long was an absolute beast. He had, let me just pull this up'cause I'm, I'm curious'cause he was, he was in the backfield all day. Okay. Defense Howie Long five sacks in this game. How often does a player get five sacks in the game and you score 37 points? Absolute monster. Um, so yeah, let me, uh, this is a, this is a great stat line as well'cause you just have all these incredible players. Dave Butts had a sack for us. Um, you know, Riggins Monk, Charlie Brown, just, just, yeah, just an era of football that I wish I was around to see at the time, but I'm sure my old man's gonna enjoy listening to this one. Um, of a game. And then I want to talk about this season in general because. This team was considered, we were the Super Bowl champions obviously the year before, but this 1983 Redskins team went 14 and two, and the two games we lost this season were by one point. So it was nearly a perfect season. It was like two points away from a perfect season and. Bearing in mind, this is the era of defense in the NFL. Our average points per game were 34 points per game, just under 34 points per game. It was the record points until 1997 and the Randy Moss rookie year for the Minnesota Vikings probably considered the best offense to never win a Super Bowl. Just ridiculous. I mean, we, we scored 541 points that regular season absolutely insane in the era of defense. So I would love to have a beer for anyone that's listening that was at this game or was around this kind of, around as a fan. Um, you know, this kind of era because it was just, yeah, incredible to, to, to think about paying up that amount of points really explosive. Goes down the, probably still one of the best offenses in NFL history. You know, it took over 15 years for that record to be, um, to be beaten by the, by the Vikings in the late nineties. yeah, the honorable mention is we lost to the Raiders in the Super Bowl. Got blown out. time to have your worst game of the year, 38 to nine. So the Raiders got their revenge on the biggest stage. It's as close as we've ever been to back to back Super Bowls, but. Yeah, a season I wanted to highlight because just an incredible team really, and I look back at it and I don't think you'll ever see a team go 14 and two and lose two games by one point. So.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah, that's, that's crazy. I didn't know any of that, if I'm being honest. So, um, I'll definitely look back on that game particularly, and perhaps a few more games than that season as well. And from that era.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Absolutely. Um, Joe Washington with the winning touchdown. With the SCA back, he wore number 25, really elusive. Caught the ball outta the backfield a ton. I actually liked the, what the team do. They gave Chris Thompson 25, didn't they? And so like what these historic numbers kind of get, get passed down. Uh, yeah. But yeah, just a hell of a game. So hopefully everyone enjoyed that. Look back, we will be going back to that era many more times this season, I'm sure. Uh, if we just had some incredible teams in the eighties and early nineties, of course. I will hope that my record continues'cause I had a, a win and a look back against the Giants. loss in the lookback against the hackers, and I've got a two point win in the lookback at home to the Raiders, so I'll take any win. If it's by two points, I'll take that Sunday. No problem. All right. That's probably a good place to jump onto the predictions, right? So let's start with our man Josh, who up nice and early before going into work and sent in his, what you're saying for Sunday.
Okay, fellas is six 30 in the morning. Thursday morning, I'm pouring over game tape and stack right now. Not really. Um, I'm having some overnight oats and I'm dreaming up a Washington win on Sunday night. So I think that Washington wins this game. My prediction for the final score is 17 to 13 to Washington. Quite a tight one. Um, and I'm going on the assumption that Jaden doesn't play and they keep him rested nicely. A good 17 day break before Atlanta. Against Green Bay. So Marks leads us to the 17 to 13 victory and it is a game over combined yards.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Thanks Josh. I will certainly take that. I'm with you. I think it's gonna be quite low score myself. So Josh has a 17 to 13 for the commanders. Any anyway to get to two in one for me. Josh has given us a little bit of confidence. Are you gonna follow suit?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Um, I'm actually following exactly, um, I've got 17, 13, uh, as well. Um, I think. I don't think they'll score more than one touchdown on us, if I'm being honest. So, and I think it'll be a close game. So 13 for them made sense to me and I'd be surprised if we got more than 20 points in this. Um, I think we're all expecting a really tough game, but I think we'll have enough, uh, to win this. Um. I, I dunno who's gonna win us this game. I, it's a really hard one to pitch at the moment, but, um, I also have us in a, in a close game, um, 1713.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Nice. An exact score for James and Josh. That is interesting. predicting us to win. I think we're gonna find a way. I feel similar to I did against the Giants. I'm a little bit scared. About what could happen. They've got some good players, but I just feel like we should have enough at home. I think the 10 days helps us let the injuries the, across the team are not gonna help us. And it's just you making use of those 10 days in other ways. Right. Extra meetings. You know, you look at Vegas, we're gonna be planning going right into Monday night. We've got. to analyze their game. We're at home since last Friday, so hopefully the rest can help everyone that is healthy. And we've just maybe those extra days planning pay off.'cause we did not have a good night Thursday, but let's hope that we can put that to bed on Sunday. I think it's gonna be super close though. I think. We'll, I think we'll be down at times in the game. Um, I think it might be a little bit back and forth. I also it'll probably be on the lowest scoring side. predicted a 20 to 17 victory for Washington. So we get it done. Um, we all have us out victorious by, under a touchdown. Just feels like a really big game now. So I'm, I'm more nervous about this game than probably any of the other two. So I really, really want to get to, to Atlanta, with a winning record. We've all predicted it, so fingers crossed we come free. I'm just hoping after, after looking at that, um, after looking at that look back that I haven't, you know, any incentive for Max Crosby to have that kind of Howie long style stats.'cause five, sacks is, is pretty incredible. But yeah, if we can, if we can still out the win, who cares?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Yeah, I mean, I, I said it last week and I was wrong, but I think this week could be the Terry McCluen game. Um, stepping up when Marriott needs him most, we're gonna need our receivers to step up and really help him out, and I really hope and expect McClaren to really kind of. Take hold of this game and, and really lift the whole team, um, without Daniels. So I'm thinking he'll have a touchdown, uh, in this one and lead us to victory.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:That'd be awesome. It'd be so nice to see our, our big players step up if Daniels is not gonna be on the field. Uh, you know, Mario did hit him a good few times, didn't he? When he came in last year as well. So he's, he's a smart football player. Mariota. If, if we can find those, those soft spots and we can get, get in the zone and hopefully, there'll be enough space to, to create. And I just, I think Marietta's got enough. I think it's necessarily gonna be pretty all the time because this is an offense that wasn't even clicking with Daniels, but just, we've just gotta find a way and, yeah, look, Gino's had a, a bad start to the season, so let's hope we get the New York Jets, Gino. Um, because people had actually written off that guy's career, haven't they? And it, it's come back and done very well, to be fair to him. But yeah, gonna be a nervy one. Also looking forward to a, a, uh, 1:00 PM local kick. Well, 12 noon for me, but not too many of them moving forward, so the next two weeks we've gotta enjoy James. I know you are out and about this weekend, uh, in Ireland. Will you be back for the game or are you gonna have to,
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:I will,
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:phone off and watch it a bit later? What is
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:I won't be able to wait. I'll, I'll, I'll, I'll have landed by then. Um, I'll land about half an hour before kickoff, so hopefully I'll be home, uh, for the second half. But I'll, I'll be following the updates, um, on my phone, on, on the way home.'cause I won't be able to sit and wait to find out. So.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:it's a bit tough when that happens, isn't it? It's okay if it's in the middle of the night and you can get up and watch it, but when you kind of, yeah, that's, that's, that's a tough one. But I'm sure, I'm sure after the victory you'll be looking back, making notes ready for Monday.
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:You know it.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Yeah. Yeah. So looking forward, looking forward to it guys. Looking forward to a great weekend of football. Again, obviously it all starts tonight with the hapless dolphins at Could that maybe be the end for the Miami head coach? What do you think?
james_1_09-18-2025_130428:Could very well be. I think, I think I've said it to you in a chat, like that whole shtick of his is kind of quite cool when the winning, but um, some of the stuff he's coming out of when you're losing isn't really what you want. It's, it doesn't really seem like he takes it particularly seriously and anyway. Yeah. I think it could be curtained to him if it's a demol. You are muted mate.
ledders_1_09-18-2025_070427:Went for a whole show. And then, uh, I thought about, I thought about that as well. I watched his presser and it was, yeah, I, I always liked McDaniels, but I feel, I feel bad for him now. The pressure's really on, isn't it? So if they get absolutely shellacked, that's one to watch. But yeah, all eyes. Then on Landover again, Sunday. Uh, thank you everyone for listening. Enjoy the game and hail.