Washington's Santana Moss heads to the end zone at FedEx Field with the game-winning touchdown in overtime yesterday. SKY GILBAR/THE FREE LANCE-STAR Visit the Photo Place

A Moss-terful game

Redskins vs Jaguars

By ADAM HIMMELSBACH

Date published: 10/2/2006

By ADAM HIMMELSBACH

LANDOVER, Md.--Early in the game, Santana Moss was bubbling as he weaved through the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense. Though just 5-foot-10, the Redskins' lightning-footed wideout felt like he could catch anything that soared his way.

So he approached quarterback Mark Brunell.

"Just throw the ball up," Moss told Brunell. "I'm not saying I'm going to get all of them, but just give me a chance."

And with 13:12 left in overtime at FedEx Field, that's what Brunell did. On a second-and-13 from the Redskins' 32 yard-line, Brunell looked toward Moss near the left sideline. Jaguars safety Donovin Darius and cornerback Deon Grant were there, as well.

Brunell fired a pass that traveled about 15 yards. Grant swiped at the ball, but missed. Moss felt Darius approaching quickly.

"I peeked at him," Moss said. "No receiver wants to get knocked out."

Darius went for the interception, but it landed in Moss' hands. The receiver then turned and exploded down the left sideline in a blur, scoring the 68-yard touchdown that gave the Redskins a 36-30 victory.

Moss leapt into a crowd of roaring fans who patted the top of his helmet and pumped their fists. Brunell put both index fingers in the air and ran toward the celebration. Backup quarterback Todd Collins tossed a football into the stands. The field was covered with cheerleaders and television cameras.

Amid the din, though, the referee announced that the play was being reviewed to see if Moss had stepped out of bounds before making the catch. Brunell watched the official to see how long he peered into the replay monitor.

"He didn't look at it for very long," Brunell said. "Usually when that happens, you're pretty sure it's going to stand."

The quarterback was right. The play stood. Euphoria returned, the marching band blasted its trumpets and tubas, and the Redskins evened their record at 2-2.

Moss finished with four catches for 138 yards and three touchdowns, and Clinton Portis had 27 carries for 112 yards and a score, becoming the first running back this season to top the 100-yard mark against Jacksonville.

Earlier in the week, Jaguars (2-2) linebacker Mike Peterson said he was "looking forward to shutting [Portis] down." Those words found their way to the Redskins' locker room.

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Date published: 10/2/2006