Redskins: Figuring out the hot start

They are the only NFL team to play all of its division road games and the only team to win more than one division game on the road.

Now comes the interesting part for the Washington Redskins: a lighter schedule (combined record of next three opponents: 1-11) but soaring expectations produced by a remarkable 4-1 start that includes wins at Dallas and Philadelphia.

The Redskins are ready for both, though. And they’re not stunned to be in such a situation.

“I’m not going to say I’m surprised or happy,” receiver Santana Moss said Monday at Redskin Park. “It’s something we must do, and it’s something we’re supposed to do. We prepare ourselves week in and week out to go out there and play the way we’ve been playing.”

With contributions from players throughout the roster, the Redskins have shown they’re just as good as the talent in the locker room.

“These have been team victories,” cornerback Fred Smoot said. “There aren’t one or two people you can point to and say, ’They’re the reasons we won.’”

As the Redskins enter a three-game stretch against 0-4 St. Louis, 1-3 Cleveland and 0-4 Detroit, here are five reasons for their four wins.

Diverse offense

The Redskins are married to the running game and aren’t overly attached to the passing game.

Jason Campbell threw 36 passes for 321 yards against New Orleans. Moss was unstoppable against Dallas (145 receiving yards). And when Moss was held to no catches in Philadelphia, Clinton Portis carried 29 times and Chris Cooley caught eight passes. The Redskins rank fifth in rushing and 17th in passing.

“We have a lot of weapons and a lot of guys who can make plays, and the coaches are really utilizing everybody,” right tackle Jon Jansen said. “Being able to spread the ball around and be dynamic offensively is really the key.”

Moss, Cooley and Antwaan Randle El all have caught at least 21 passes. Only Denver matches that balance.

Reserves emerge

Rookie safety Chris Horton was the first reserve to emerge on the Redskins’ defense, and he eventually earned a starting position. But others have filled in admirably.

Jason Taylor, Shawn Springs and Marcus Washington sat out of the lineup against the Eagles. Demetric Evans, Fred Smoot and H.B. Blades played in their stead.

“It shows what type of character and professionalism they have because they’re taking their reps seriously, and the coaching staff is getting these guys ready to play and fill the roles they need to,” linebacker London Fletcher said. “It’s a tribute to everybody involved.”

Said coach Jim Zorn: “Guys are being inserted and are picking up the slack and doing more than that. I think it says a lot about some of the things we’ve got going, and it also talks about how the assistant coaches are getting them ready to play and rise up.”

Staying turnover-free

The Redskins remain the only team without an offensive turnover this season, a span of 330 plays. Jason Campbell has thrown 153 passes without an interception, and the Redskins haven’t fumbled once on offense.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Redskins are only the third team since 1933 to have one or zero turnovers in their first five games. The others were Cincinnati in 1988 and Cleveland in 1960 (one apiece).

Unofficially, Campbell has come close to throwing an interception just once - a first-quarter throw against Arizona intended for Devin Thomas.

“Some of the lack of turning the ball over has been our good fortune,” Zorn said. “Balls have been tipped, and you never know where those will go. We’re fortunate we’ve had a two-minute drill where we haven’t thrown a Hail Mary that’s been picked off. But we’ve had a very stingy quarterback, and he’s made great decisions in throwing the ball away.”

Aggressive coaching

The advantage of the coach calling the offensive plays is that he answers to nobody on the sideline.

This Redskins offense chooses to go for the win rather than sit on a lead - a change from the past four years.

Up 29-24 over the Saints, Zorn called a pass on fourth-and-2 at the New Orleans 34 with 1:58 remaining. An 8-yard catch by Moss clinched the game.

Leading Arizona 24-17 with less than two minutes remaining and facing a second-and-7 at the Washington 31, Zorn dialed up a pass from Campbell to Cooley that gained 26 yards.

And leading the Eagles 23-17 with 2:48 remaining, Zorn went for it on fourth-and-2 at the Philadelphia 38. A draw to Portis gained 3 yards and clinched the game.

“Do we feed off his energy and creativity? Definitely,” center Casey Rabach said. “He’s always excited but doesn’t panic. We know if things aren’t right, he won’t give up and he’s ready to call another play and has another thing up his sleeve.”

Said Zorn: “I think it does [give the players confidence], but we can’t be crazy about it. I hope it’s not borderline crazy. I hope it’s sound.”

Opportunistic defense

The Redskins averaged 13.2 interceptions in four years under Gregg Williams. They are on pace for 16 interceptions this year.

The offense hasn’t taken advantage, totaling only 16 points from the six total takeaways.

But being opportunistic is about more than creating takeaways. The Redskins proved that against Philadelphia when they stone-walled a third-and-goal play from the 2-yard line. Brian Westbrook was dropped for a 3-yard loss when Andre Carter blew up the play, and the Eagles kicked a field goal with 7:18 remaining. They didn’t get the ball back.

The consensus Monday in the Redskins locker room: The start is great, but now comes the part where they play the favorites’ role.

“We’ve always been a talented team ever since I’ve been here,” Carter said. “It’s just been a matter of putting those key pieces together. We’re playing together every week and using the momentum we’ve gained to our advantage and kept on winning.”