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Washington running back Ladell Betts is tackled by Denver's Ronald Fields (91), Kenny Peterson (90)
Washington running back Ladell Betts reaches for an extra yard, falling short of the |
LANDOVER, Md.
--Andre Carter dropped to his knees and bowed his head after the final second elapsed yesterday afternoon and the misery of this Washington Redskins season officially went on hiatus.All around him, displays of relief and elation overflowed into plain sight. Casey Rabach bear-hugged teammates Colt Brennan and Chris Cooley. Santana Moss smiled and waved at fans who had congregated around the locker-room tunnel to--get this--cheer a victory.
And as Carter exited the field following the Redskins' 27-17 comeback win over the Denver Broncos, he raised his helmet high and pumped it to the crowd's delight.
"Just happiness," Carter said later. "It's such a blessing for us to play four quarters of a game, to play together and to finally get a win."
The first half of this season has been downright miserable for the Redskins (3-6), but yesterday they summoned a comprehensive performance worthy of celebrating.
They ended their four-game losing streak behind an inspired effort from their maligned offensive line. The Redskins' 174 rushing yards and punter Hunter Smith's first-half touchdown pass on a fake field goal helped them overcome two major defensive lapses and beat a team with a winning record for the first time this season.
"We've had a desert experience--it has been very arid, if you will--for the last few weeks," head coach Jim Zorn said. "To be able to come out with a win, you almost don't know to feel. Yet we remembered very quickly."
This victory alone won't save Zorn's job or vault Washington into the playoffs. Too much damage exists in both of those categories to be erased by one positive result. But for
They scored more than 17 points for the first time all year. The offensive line blocked better than it had all season. The defense forced two turnovers and capitalized on the absence of Denver starting quarterback Kyle Orton, who injured his left ankle at the end of the first half and did not return.
Players savored the victory afterward, unlike their reaction to their previous two wins. Those were sloppy, unrefined performances against St. Louis and Tampa Bay--teams with two wins combined. Yesterday, the Redskins bullied the NFL's third-ranked defense and minimized the types of physical and mental breakdowns and mistakes that have doomed their season.
Washington's patchwork offensive line was the catalyst. With left tackle Levi Jones making his first start, Chad Rinehart back in the starting lineup at right guard and Stephon Heyer moved to right tackle, the unit played its best game of the season.
It paved the way for tailback Ladell Betts' 114 yards on 26 carries--the greatest single-game yardage total for the Redskins this season. It also surrendered only three sacks of quarterback Jason Campbell--the fewest in three games.
"I think it's very prideful for us to come out and establish the run game like this," said Rabach, Washington's center. "We knew what we were capable of doing. We just had to go out and do it. I think we finally played a four-quarter football game on offense."
The game began on a familiar, sour note for the Redskins. Denver receiver Brandon Marshall faked out cornerback Carlos Rogers with a double move and broke free for an easy 40-yard touchdown reception on the game's first series.
The Redskins responded, though, with a 12-play, 78-yard drive that culminated with tight end Todd Yoder's sprawling touchdown catch on third-and-goal from the 2. The series was uncharacteristically crisp, with well-executed plays and unpredictable, balanced play-calling.
"We had to come out and do something because the defense always has our backs," receiver Santana Moss said.
Marshall's 75-yard touchdown catch later in the first quarter gave Denver a 14-7 lead. Free safety LaRon Landry blew the coverage when he ran up to the line of scrimmage to cover a receiver running a shorter route. With the normally reliable defense struggling, the strongest portion of Washington's formula for victory was absent.
The game turned, though, on a stroke of special-teams brilliance. Facing fourth-and-20 from Denver's 35 in the second quarter, Washington kicker Shaun Suisham lined up to attempt a long field goal.
The Redskins, however, realigned before the snap. Smith fielded it, rolled right and threw back across the field to wide-open fullback Mike Sellers for a game-tying touchdown.
"We had a big play that just happened to us, and we had to stay in the ballgame," Zorn said. "That's really one of the reasons I called it."
Betts rushed for 91 yards on 18 carries in the second half, and Rock Cartwright added 41 yards on nine carries in the game. Betts' 1-yard touchdown plunge with 2 minutes, 44 seconds remaining was the decisive score.
He replaced first-string running back Clinton Portis (concussion) in the starting lineup for the first time since 2006, and sparked a running attack that has languished this season.
It had been so long since Betts was the Redskins' featured back that he forgot how to get from the home locker room to the FedEx Field media room for his news conference. It's a 40-foot walk that requires only one turn.
"On offense we had to make tough yards," Betts said. "We slammed the ball in there. I can't talk about [the offensive line] enough. They did a great job. It has nothing to do with me or Rock. They put their weight on them and we just made yards."
Outside the locker-room walls, fans spilled out of the stadium chanting "We want Dallas!" in anticipation of next week's opponent. It was a flashback to happier times.
For one afternoon, at least, the joy returned.
"For team morale, it was awesome," defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said. "I knew this team had it in them. They always say the first win is the hardest one since we had this long drought. Now we just got to keep it going."
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com
