The Redskins have been a highly competitive team over the past five games, beating the Broncos and Raiders by double digits and losing to the Cowboys, Eagles and Saints (who have a combined 30-9 record) by a combined seven points. They have done it with a burgeoning offense and a defense led by rookie LB-DE Brian Orakpo, who has 11 sacks. Four of those came Sunday — his first four-sack game ever, be believes — against the Raiders in the most dominant performance of his young career.

The PFW spin

Many observers thought the Redskins crazy to pencil in Orakpo as their starting strong-side linebacker to start the season given that he never has played full time standing up, much less covered a tight end. And in fact, the team has made measures to prevent Orakpo from having to expand his game too much, for instance using H.B. Blades to cover Saints TE Jeremy Shockey in their base package in Week 13 instead of Orakpo.

Instead, they have chosen to streamline and simplify his duties, which includes his best skill: beating blockers one-on-one with the pass rush. Orakpo was at his best in that capacity in Week 14, torturing Raiders tackles with a series of moves.

On his first sack Sunday, Orakpo showed that he can't be blocked by tight ends or running backs — or both. He was lined up as a 7-technique linebacker on the line in a five-man rush disguised as an all-out blitz, across from the outside shoulder of Raiders TE Zach Miller. After flying off the snap, Orakpo shocked Miller with a good bull rush, used leverage to get inside of him and tossed him aside. Next up was RB Justin Fargas, who stepped up in the hole to pick up Orakpo, but Fargas — at 220 pounds — was no match. Orakpo walked him back two yards, shed Fargas and sacked QB Bruce Gradkowski.

But it wasn't until JaMarcus Russell subbed for the injured Gradkowski that Orakpo really teed off.

On 1st-and-10 at the Washington 28 in the third quarter, Orakpo lined up as the right defensive end in the Redskins' nickel package, across from OLT Mario Henderson, who is 6-7 and 300 pounds. Orakpo exploded upfield and drove through Henderson, using a strong outside move to push Henderson back onto his heels. Once he was off balance, Orakpo looped around to the inside with a concise move and stormed in on Russell for sack No. 2.

His third sack came from a DE position, again opposite Henderson. This time, Orakpo used pure speed to take the edge from Henderson, who appeared concerned about a countermove and lost leverage. Orakpo got underneath Henderson, who was too upright, and took down Russell. It didn't hurt, of course, that Fargas chose to pick up DT Lorenzo Alexander instead. In a seven-man protection, Orakpo beat the one single-blocked spot with ease.

The first three sacks came when the game was a one-score contest and the Redskins needed every one of them. The final sack of the day came when the Redskins had built a 31-13, but it looked a lot like the third. Orakpo lined up a little more wide this time but didn't allow Henderson to kick him wide by taking a direct speed rush toward Russell. Henderson clearly was playing back on his heels, but Orakpo sunk a great rip move underneath, and actually ran a little past Russell but still was able to throw on the brakes, grab the QB, strip the ball (which should have been run back for a touchdown had Andre Carter not bobbled it) and complete the huge play.

What we have seen this season is that Orakpo is still evolving as an all-around defender, but his greatest and most natural skill right now is rushing the passer from the DRE position. He's already adept at that. And though he could evolve into more of a hybrid-type role, Orakpo excels at getting to the passer from a three-point stance, which has made him one of the favorites in an intriguing Rookie of the Year battle.