As has been well-documented (just about every other minute this past week), the Washington Redskins will host the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night in a national game (flexed from the afternoon to 8:30 p.m.) that is a Winner-Take-All contest for the NFC East Division title. Many members of the burgundy and gold have contributed to the six-game win streak that has brought them to this point. But one of the most gratifying to see on the field for long-time fans is wide receiver Santana Moss. The man has performed some amazing feats with those magic feet.
When watching replays of some of Santana’s catches, it’s easy to think, “How does he do that??” Some of the passes he has caught — and held onto while being hit — in the end zone or on the sidelines — while keeping his feet in-bounds at the same time — are indications of Moss’s talent and experience. Not only does he know what he needs to do with his feet at all times during receptions, he is a talented runner. For instance, when Moss catches short passes behind the line of scrimmage, he generally runs downhill as well as a lot of backs.
All of the Redskins’ receivers have unique abilities. Moss has made some plays during this season that showcase his.
Week 5 vs. the Atlanta Falcons: Quarterback – and newly crowned Pro Bowler – Robert Griffin, III was hurt in this game and the Redskins did lose. But Moss caught a pass from rookie backup QB Kirk Cousins with 12:34 in the fourth quarter that made him look like a youngster. He went 77 yards for a score on that play and gave the team hope when it sent Washington ahead of the vaunted Falcons (17-14) with quite a flourish. Unfortunately, Atlanta scored twice after that but Moss’s catch and run were a sight to behold.
On this particular play, the Skins were on their own 37 yard line and it was third and long. Cousins threw the ball perfectly to Moss, who ran a mid-to-deep slant route and was waiting for the ball on the team’s own 48. By the time Moss was really moving three steps after catching the ball, he was 20 yards ahead of the Falcon defenders. It was totally busted coverage on the part of the opponents’ secondary who looked confused as the play developed. If they weren’t on Moss because he hadn’t done much up to that point… well, a scourge on them. You shouldn’t ignore any receiver from the “U”… especially a veteran like Moss in a game in which a backup QB has had to take over for the starter without the benefit of much warmup.
Week 7 vs. the New York Giants: at 8:52 in the second quarter, Griffin sent a pass short left to Moss. From four yards behind the line of scrimmage, the “U” alum caught the pass and then ran through and past at least four G-Men for 28 yards and a touchdown. He had some good blocking, no doubt. But he also just turned on the speed and had good vision in his path to the endzone.
Later in the game in the fourth quarter, Moss caught a difficult-to-throw (but perfect) pass from Griffin beautifully. It came over his shoulder and landed right into his hands for 30 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Redskins lost that game (but would make up for it later).
Week 8 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers: Early in the second quarter, the score was 10–0, Pittsburgh. Griffin had driven the team 78 yards and was in the shotgun. Wide outs Pierre Garçon and Josh Morgan were lined up with Moss on the left and tight end Chris Cooley was in on the right side of the line. All three receivers went into the end zone as Cooley stayed back and blocked. Morgan and Garçon were covered well but Moss ran in through the middle and over the goal line, eventually getting covered by Steelers’ cornerback Keenan Lewis. But Moss snatched the ball Griffin threw him out of the air before the four-year defensive back could get his hands on it. Again, Washington lost that game but not before Moss had shown how athletic he still is after 11 years in the league and at 33 years old.
Week 11 vs. Philadelphia Eagles: This game featured one of the best plays Moss has made this season and highlighted his amazing talent. The score was 17–6, Redskins, and the team was on its own 38 at 5:02 in the third quarter. Running back Alfred Morris, Cooley and Garçon were in on the play. After the snap, Griffin came under a lot of pressure as Moss ran a slant route and got back behind the Eagles’ first level of defense and down to about the five yard line. By the time he was catching the ball, Moss was covered like a blanket by cornerback Brandon Boykin and safety Kurt Coleman. He jumped up, hands out, and snatched that ball out of the air and away from Coleman’s eager hands. Then he fought Boykin off and fell into the end zone.
Hats off to Griffin for trusting in the play and his receiver. Other receivers on the field (Cooley or Garçon) might have been able to make a play but getting the ball to Moss resulted in the points.
Week 12 vs. the Dallas Cowboys: This game was one of the best examples of why Moss is known as the “Cowboy Killa.” With :10 left in the second quarter, Griffin had driven the team down to the six-yard-line. After the snap, Moss ran a corner route with cornerback Brandon Carr all over him on the inside. Griffin threw a perfect pass, to Moss’s outside, right at the outside edge of the endzone. Somehow, some way, Moss caught the ball and kept both toes just barely touching the turf before he went over the line. Touchdown. Score: 28–3 and Moss continues to frustrate the Cowboys.
Week 16 vs. the Philadelphia Eagles: This past Sunday brought another beautiful Moss reception and safety Colt Anderson was the unlucky defender that Moss toasted. There was 1:37 left in the third quarter, the score was 20-13 Washington. The team was on the Philadelphia 22 yard-line. At the snap, all of the receivers ran short hook routes except for Moss. Instead, he ran a deep corner route. Griffin had good protection (especially from left tackle – also now a Pro Bowler – Trent Williams) as he stayed in the pocket and threw the ball 22 yards to Santana. Just as the wide out got to the sideline edge of the end zone, the ball landed right into his arms over his outside shoulder – and so away from the defending Philly defender. Moss’s right foot was down as he caught the ball but he dropped his left toe to the turf just before he crossed over the outside line. Like the catch he made in the first game against the Eagles, the focus and athletic ability were remarkable.
It’s worth noting that even as a smallish receiver, Moss can fight off defenders with the best of them. On an end-around that he ran during this game at 7:17 in the first quarter, Moss probably got eight of the 12 total yards gained after the first opponent contact.
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If the Redskins had to play any team this weekend for what is at stake – the NFC East Division Title – it’s good that it’s the Dallas Cowboys when considering what Moss brings to the game.
The wide out’s career statistics against Washington’s arch rival are as follows: In 14 career games played against Dallas, Moss has 82 catches for 1,167 yards and 14.2 average yards-per-catch. His average yards-after-catch is 4.5 with 59 first downs and 7 touchdowns. In eleven years, he’s fumbled the ball once against the Silver and Blue. Hence, the nickname “Cowboy Killa.”
It has to be said that Moss is certainly in a better situation now than he has been in years past with RGIII throwing him the ball. Having been a member of this team for almost a decade, Moss remembers where they have been and truly appreciates the winning.
“It feels good,” the veteran said after the big win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. “I’m out of body right now. I’m floating somewhere around here. I’ve been waiting for this moment where we can beat this kind of team and it’s one of the reasons why I wanted to be here a couple of years ago when it was time for me to sign back. There’s nothing more important for me than to come out here and be part of something like this.”
The wide out’s talent and experience can’t be underestimated in the general successes the team has had in 2012. But something extraordinary seems to happen when he is up against Dallas. Lots of long-time Redskins’ fans can remember games played against the Cowboys within the last 10 years — recall quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Jason Campbell — when Moss made a profound mark. The guy has magic feet, great hands and an inane ability to be at the top of his game against the team that the Redskins are playing this Sunday night in the biggest contest of the season. It’s mighty good for RedskinsNation that he wears the burgundy and gold.
Hail.
Diane Chesebrough is Editor-in-Chief, writer and photographer for SportsJourney Broadcast Network. Accredited media with the NFL, she has been a feature writer for several national magazines/periodicals. Follower her on Twitter: @DiChesebrough