In the middle of last night, when Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera's mind wouldn't stop rewinding the debacle in Buffalo, a cold sweat may have suddenly awakened him.
What if this defense isn't as great as expected, or even good? What if Rivera needs to change his defensive coordinator? Maybe that prized rookie defensive end last year is lost just as much as this year's first-round linebacker?
The 43-21 loss at Buffalo may have been just one game, but one shot heard round the world created American independence while one assassination started World War I. And, it took only one iceberg to sink the Titanic.
It's three straight games that the defense has stunk, allowing opponents to score on their opening drive. For opposing quarterbacks to snap personal slumps like Buffalo's Josh Allen suddenly remembering he's a great player. For halftimes to become triage.
Take away a New York Giants offsides penalty and Washington is 0-3 and staring at a pretty brutal schedule ahead after playing at Atlanta on Sunday.
Rivera will never offer public doubt. Everything is just a play away. Players just need to accept their responsibilities and trust the system.
But, what if the system stinks? Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio may be the latest to find a gallon of vanilla ice cream on his desk. The only defensive coordinator in the team's 30-year post-Super Bowl era to leave with his reputation intact was Gregg Williams, and his would later fall from grace, too.
Rivera and Del Rio are a package deal. The coach isn't cutting someone loose who took over last year when Rivera was undergoing cancer treatment. That's family when it comes to bonds. But Rivera was an NFL linebacker, too. He has spent more time trying to resurrect the offense, but Del Rio obviously needs consulting and we're not talking bingo callers.
Washington was built around the defensive front line, particularly the ends. But, they've been average at best when Washington needs them to be excellent. No pass pressure means no pass defense, with every cornerback looking mortal. The wind prevented more Bills touchdowns than the secondary. And the linebackers? Jamin Davis might as well be renamed Will Robinson, because other than one stirring third-down tackle he has been lost in space.
Time, they need time, is the plea. Well, the NFL doesn't grant it. Not even with 17 games and a backloaded NFC East slate of five games ending the season, that maybe is a path to the division title no matter the start. If Washington loses in Atlanta on Sunday, it's on the walking dead list with titans Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Green Bay and more ahead.
The scariest part – what if Rivera can't turn around this franchise? Even a snazzy new name come 2022 won't prevent fans from surrendering. This is a last stand for the future of fandom in Washington, and those in the seats are feeling pretty betrayed after believing this season would be better when it's the same nonsense as the past.
Just one game? Ask the people in the water how one iceberg worked.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
