ASHBURN—It took four days after a loss to the Detroit Lions for a member of the reeling Washington Redskins to step forward with a strong acceptance of blame and the most outward acknowledgment that change of some sort is needed. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache’s mea culpa yesterday included an offer to throw himself “under the bus,“ a vow to no longer be “handcuffed” in his calls, and the announcement of a switch at starting strong safety from Chris Horton to Reed Doughty.

The theme of the week for the Redskins’ defense is that statistics can be deceiving. Against Seattle on Sunday, that will mean ignoring the team’s 2-8 record and less-than-gaudy stats.