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Pecked apart

December 4, 2006 12:50 am

LANDOVER, Md.--The Redskins entered the game with more momentum and optimism than could be expected of a 4-7 team.

The Falcons entered the game in a month-long funk during which their play had been as unappealing as a bad piece of fish.

And for one quarter at FedEx Field yesterday afternoon, the Redskins looked like a team that had rejuvenated its season, while the Falcons looked like they were counting the days until vacation.

Washington used a dominant rushing attack to take a two-touchdown lead, and 86,436 fans may have had visions of last season, when the Redskins won their final five games and stormed into the NFC playoffs.

But by game's end, by the time the Falcons had charged back to grab a 24-14 victory, most of the stadium's seats were already empty. Many of those who remained voiced their frustrations as they walked toward the exits and into the cold evening.

"Somewhere in there, we quit making plays," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "And then we made a couple of bad ones."

Making just his third career start, Redskins (4-8) quarterback Jason Campbell was unable to settle into a rhythm. Campbell, the 25th overall pick of the 2005 draft, completed 18 of 38 passes for 218 yards, with a touchdown and two costly interceptions. When Washington was forced to go with its hurry-up offense when trailing by 10 points late in the game, it was clear that Campbell is a young quarterback who is not accustomed to running a professional hurry-up offense.

"I said when he first got the job, people need to go easy on him," Redskins wide receiver Brandon Lloyd said. "If he starts out great, don't label him the next Joe Namath; and if he starts out bad, don't label him the next bust."

While Campbell struggled, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was poised and efficient. The former Virginia Tech star completed 8 of 16 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball 10 times for 59 yards. He did not commit a turnover.

Vick was complemented by running backs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood, who combined for 194 yards and a touchdown.

Though the Redskins were not officially eliminated from playoff contention with yesterday's loss, their already dwindling hopes were almost completely dashed. The Falcons (6-6), meanwhile, pushed themselves back within striking distance.

"We've been fighting for the last four or five weeks, and things haven't really worked out for us," Vick said. "But to get a win today soothes everything."

The Redskins stormed to their quick start yesterday behind the hard running of Ladell Betts, who finished with a career-high 155 yards and a touchdown. Betts, who took over for starter Clinton Portis last month when Portis broke his right hand, capped Washington's opening drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.

After Washington's defense forced Atlanta to punt for the second time, Betts carried the ball on four consecutive plays, setting up Campbell's 42-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss. Moss caught the ball between two defensive backs and fell down at the 1, but stood up and ran into the end zone because he had not been touched.

"He's always telling me to just throw it up there and give him a chance," Campbell said.

But for Washington, the bright moments ended there.

A 34-yard field goal by 46-year-old Morten Andersen made it 14-3, and Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham--who was signed last week--knocked a 50-yard try wide left, giving the Falcons good field position at the 40.

Vick hit Alge Crumpler down the left sideline for a 46-yard gain, setting up a 16-yard touchdown strike to Crumpler that made it 14-10.

The Redskins received the ball at the start of the second half, and seemed to wrest the momentum back in their favor.

Sprinkling a mix of Betts' runs with Campbell's short passes, Washington marched to the Falcons' 21-yard line. But on second-and-11, Campbell started to throw and was hit by Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy, who had come on a blitz. The ball fluttered about 3 yards and was intercepted by 277-pound defensive end Chauncey Davis, who rumbled to the Redskins' 25. It was the Falcons' first interception in their last six games.

"Me, of all people," Davis said.

Two plays later, Vick hit Michael Jenkins over the middle for a 22-yard score, giving Atlanta a 17-14 lead.

At the start of the fourth quarter, a Derrick Frost punt pinned the Falcons at their own 2-yard line. But the visitors pushed out of trouble with some short runs and then got a 69-yard touchdown burst from Norwood to make it 24-14.

The Redskins had a pair of last-ditch tries, but with 2:31 left Campbell was hit as he threw, and his pass was intercepted by Chris Crocker. Washington got the ball back after a blocked punt by Rock Cartwright, but on fourth-and-goal from the 4, Campbell's pass was knocked away.

"It's a tough time we're going through," Gibbs said. "As far as these games from here on out, I told our guys, each one of them is precious."

Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs missed the game because of a hamstring injury. Gibbs said Springs tested the injury before the game but could not play.

The Redskins kept two kickers--Suisham and Nick Novak--on the active roster yesterday. Suisham handled the kicking duties and was strong on kickoffs, but missed the 50-yard field goal. Gibbs said no decision had been made regarding the kicking situation for next weekend's game.

FALCONS 24, REDSKINS 14

Atlanta

0

10

7

7

--

24

Washington

14

0

0

0

--

14

First Quarter

Was--Betts 8 run (Suisham kick), 6:53.

Was--Moss 42 pass from J.Campbell (Suisham kick), 2:43.

Second Quarter

Atl--FG Andersen 34, 7:42.

Atl--Crumpler 16 pass from Vick (Andersen kick), 2:20.

Third Quarter

Atl--Jenkins 22 pass from Vick (Andersen kick), 10:32.

Fourth Quarter

Atl--Norwood 69 run (Andersen kick), 12:26.

A--86,436.

TEAM STATISTICS

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING--Atlanta, Norwood 9-107, Dunn 21-87, Vick 10-59, Griffith 1-3. Washington, Betts 28-155, Campbell 2-15, Duckett 4-9, Randle El 1-(minus 2).

PASSING--Atlanta, Vick 8-16-0-122. Washington, Campbell 18-38-2-217.

RECEIVING--Atlanta, Jenkins 4-43, Crumpler 2-62, Lelie 2-17. Washington, Moss 7-123, Betts 3-18, Lloyd 2-26, Randle El 2-14, Cooley 2-12, Sellers 1-12, Thrash 1-12.

MISSED FIELD GOAL--Washington, Suisham 50 (WL).

To reach ADAM HIMMELSBACH: 540/374-5442
Email: ahimmelsbach@freelancestar.com