Week 5: Detroit Lions
Offense: Mike Sellers
5 rushes, 25 yards, 1 rushing TD, 3 receptions, 36 yards, 1 receiving TD
Plain and simple, Mike Sellers’ power, dominance, and attitude set the tone for the whole team against the Detroit Lions. His crushing hit on safety Kenoy Kennedy, who is also known for his hard-hitting reputation from his playing days in Denver, epitomized how the Washington Redskins operated the whole game. Sellers had one of the best performances of his career, logging a one-yard rushing touchdown in which he bulldozed his way into the end-zone, and an eight-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Defense: Andre Carter
8 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 safety
It’s blatantly obvious that Carter is proving he belongs in D.C. after starting off slow in 2006. His strong start in 2007 is a continuation of where he left off last season. The ever-energetic Carter, constantly waving his arms to pump up the FedEx Field crowd, led a barnstorming defense that harassed Lions’ quarterback Jon Kitna all day, disabling their high-powered offense. The Lions offense, led by Kitna and wide receivers Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, could only muster 144 total yards and three points. Andre’s impressive day was capped off by his first career safety in the third quarter.
Special Teams: James Thrash
2 punt returns, 71 yards, 1 kickoff return for 20 yards
Filling in for Antwaan Randle El, who left the game with a hamstring injury in the second quarter, Thrash took over punt return duties, and his contributions paid big dividends. His 62-yard punt return in the fourth quarter led to Sellers’ touchdown reception. Despite fumbling at the 25-yard line on the return, the ball took a gracious Redskins bounce and was recovered by Rock Cartwright at the three-yard line. Prior to the long return, Thrash returned a place punt 20 yards to the Redskins’ 37-yard line following Carters’ safety. Thrash even contributed to the offense, catching two passes for 11 yards.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Jake Russell