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Washington Redskins defensive end Andre Carter raises his helmet in victory after his team's 27-17 win over the Denver Broncos at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., yesterday.
Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham (6) and fullback Mike Sellers (45) celebrate Sellers' TD on a trick play.
After suffering through a string of four losses, Redskin fans were pumped to celebrate yesterday's victory. |
By STEVE DeSHAZO
LANDOVER, Md.
--On a day when the Washington Redskins belatedly allowed handmade signs at FedEx Field, the most welcome message was found on the scoreboard.Most fans got insufficient notice that unpopular owner Daniel Snyder had lifted his ban on personal expression. The word came just 21/2 hours before yesterday's game with Denver, after many spectators had left home for the stadium.
If they arrived disgruntled, many of them left in a better mood after the Redskins' surprising 27-17 over the visiting Denver Broncos.
"It's been arid the last few weeks," embattled coach Jim Zorn said, "and to be able to come off with a win, you almost don't know how to feel. Yet we remembered very quickly."
Yesterday's victory alone won't get the Redskins (3-6) into the playoffs. It might not save the jobs of Zorn and quarterback Jason Campbell, both of whom have endured criticism all season.
And it might not have occurred at all if Denver's starting quarterback, Kyle Orton, hadn't sprained his left ankle on the final play of the first half and left for the day with his team leading 17-14--or if the Redskins hadn't scored on a fake field goal, with holder Hunter Smith hitting Mike Sellers with a 35-yard touchdown pass.
But for the first time this year, Washington beat a team with a winning record. And the mood in the victorious locker room was a far cry from the funereal atmosphere that had followed four consecutive losses.
"It's been awhile," linebacker London Fletcher said, trying to recall the last time he'd felt so good after a game. "Maybe the Philly game last year. Even our two wins this year [over St. Louis and Tampa Bay, both 1-8] have been, aah "
Yesterday's victory was more satisfying because it looked much like the vintage Redskins glories of past years.
With starting running back Clinton Portis sidelined with a concussion, Ladell Betts rushed for 114 of Washington's 174 yards on the ground behind a reshuffled offensive line against the NFL's third-ranked defense. Jason Campbell was 9-for-9 passing in the second half, spreading the ball to nine different receivers for the game.
And after defensive breakdowns resulted in two long first-quarter touchdown passes from Orton to Brandon Marshall, the Broncos (6-3) didn't score in the second half.
The road ahead will still be rocky for the Redskins, who must visit NFC East rivals Dallas and Philadelphia in the next two weeks. But for the first time since Oct. 4, happy fans filed out of FedEx Field--and the Redskins left with some enthusiasm.
"It definitely feels better to beat a good football team," Campbell said. "It's encouraging for us."
Steve DeShazo: 540/374-5443
Email: sdeshazo@freelancestar.com
