The Cardinals also moved the ball on their opening drive. Jenkins ran for 16 yards on an end around, and Plummer connected with wide receiver Frank Sanders for 16 yards and a first down at the Redskins 28. But Boston and Sanders had would-be touchdown grabs slip through their fingers on consecutive plays, and place kicker Bill Gramatica missed a 44-yard field goal attempt badly.
The Redskins followed with a drive in which they applied the finishing touches. Banks connected with wide receiver Kevin Lockett for nine yards on a third-and-five play and found Westbrook for a 21-yard gain to the Arizona 20. Davis provided runs of eight and 10 yards for a first down at the 2. On the initial play of the second quarter, Banks faked a handoff to Davis, rolled to his right and lobbed a throw to Flemister over linebacker Rob Fredrickson for the touchdown.
Quarterback Tony Banks, background, gives the signal after running back Stephen Davis dives into end zone for touchdown in fourth quarter that sealed Redskins' 20-10 victory.
(Jonathan Newton - The Washington Post)
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| _____Game Ball_____
Who gets yours after Sunday's win?
What's your opinion?
Note: This is an unscientific survey of washingtonpost.com readers.
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_____Plays of the Game_____
Linebacker Lavar Arrington, pictured, provided late-game heroics to preserve Washington's 20-3 fourth-quarter lead.
With a little more than 5 minutes left in the game and the ball on the Washington 10, Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer completed a screen pass to Michael Pittman. Pittman charged for the right corner of the end zone and was met by Arrington, who dragged the Cardinals running back out of bounds before he could extend the ball across the goal line.
On the following play, fourth and goal from the 1, Arrington and fellow linebacker Kevin Mitchell penetrated the right side of the Arizona offensive line and tackled Pittman for a two-yard loss.
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_____He Said It_____
"I said, 'What we need to do is get a victory so we can try to start another winning streak.' "
-- Marty Schottenheimer, on how he addressed the playoff implications of Sunday's game to his team.
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_____NFC East Standings_____
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_____Next Game_____
Eagles (8-4) at Redskins (6-6)
Where: FedEx Field.
When: 4:15 p.m., Dec. 16
TV: Fox
Week 13: Donovan McNabb passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles beat the San Diego Chargers, 24-14, in Philadelphia.
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| ___Redskins Make a Change___
Wednesday
The Redskins hired Joe Mendes as vice president of football operations.
Steve Spurrier is scouting players at the Senior Bowl.
Tuesday
The Redskins will make Michael Bates available in the expansion draft.
Monday
The Redskins requested permission Sunday to interview Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen for their general manager job.
Sunday
Steve Spurrier's intense competitiveness is the main reason he came to the Redskins.
The Redskins are lining up possible candidates for their defensive coordinator position. Friday
Tim Ruskell, Tampa Bay's director of player personnel, interviewed for Washington's general manager job.
Art Monk and George Allen are among the finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2002. Thursday
The Redskins would like to talk to Tampa Bay general manager Rich McKay, NFL sources said.
Now that Marty Schottenheimer is gone, Michael Westbrook said he's interested in returning.
Wednesday
Steve Spurrier says his goal is to consistently contend for the playoffs and, in time, the Super Bowl.
Bobby Beathard said he is still interested in being the general manager.
Thomas Boswell: Nothing excites this town like a new coach.
Sally Jenkins: Spurrier said all the right things.
Bruce Smith says he will come back for another season.
Transcript of Spurrier's press conference.
Tuesday
John Schneider, hired last year as the Redskins' vice president of player personnel, was fired.
Video: Spurrier's press conference
Video: The Post's George Solomon discusses the coaching change.
Monday
Spurrier, pictured, will take over as head coach after signing a five-year, $25 million deal.
Marty Schottenheimer says his refusal to give up control on personnel issues was the major sticking point between him and owner Daniel Snyder.
Michael Wilbon: Spurrier will give it the old college try.
Thomas Boswell: Schottenheimer left with class and dignity.
Spurrier's offensive scheme is deceptively simple in its design.
News Graphic: How Spurrier's "Fun and Gun" offense works.
Many college coaches have not made smooth jumps to the NFL.
Few were surprised Schottenheimer and Snyder disagreed.
Snyder's search for a general manager continues.
Monday
Rough Draft: Spurrier takes over the lead role in this Beltway drama.
Video: Schottenheimer talks about why the change was made.
Audio: Schottenheimer says he respects Snyder's decision.
Audio: Linebacker Shawn Barber talks about his new coach.
News Graphic: Spurrier's record
Gallery: The Schottenheimer era
Schottenheimer quote sheet
Sunday
The Redskins fired Schottenheimer, pictured, as their coach Sunday and will replace him with Spurrier.
Tony Kornheiser: Spurrier is the man of the hour.
Thomas Boswell: The best thing about Snyder is his combustible impatience. It's also the worst thing.
Spurrier is set to become the 25th coach in team history.
Talks with Bobby Beathard, the team's top candidate to be general manager, have broken down.
Players have mixed feelings about Sunday's developments.
Schottenheimer got a raw deal, some fans in the area say.
Sally Jenkins: Spurrier's manner may not fit in D.C., but that's why the Redskins need him. (Jan. 11)
Schottenheimer timeline
Survey: Good move?
What's your opinion?
___From the Archives___
Spurrier abruptly resigned from the University of Florida on Jan. 4.
The Redskins hired Schottenheimer to a four-year, $10 million contract on Jan. 3, 2001.
Video: Snyder introduces Schottenheimer last January.
2001 results
___Schottenheimer's Numbers___
.500: Schottenheimer's winning percentage with the Redskins -- tied for eighth best of the 24 coaches in team history.
8-3: Redskins' record since Oct. 21.
28: Redskins ' offensive rank, out of 31 NFL teams.
3: Redskins coaches fired in past 13 months.
___Live Online___
Liz Clarke was online Wednesday to discuss the coaching change and what we can expect from Spurrier.
Tony & Mike took questions in Monday's Chat House.
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The Arizona offense got pinned deep in its own end after a penalty on the kickoff and couldn't manage a first down. The Redskins took over at midfield but went three plays and out, and Boston used his girth to outmaneuver Bailey and safety David Terrell to catch a drive-opening pass from Plummer for 32 yards. The Cardinals moved to the Redskins 6. But Plummer and Sanders were on different wavelengths on a third-down pass that fell incomplete, and Arizona had to settle for Gramatica's 24-yard field goal.
Gramatica's kickoff dribbled out of bounds to give the Redskins the ball at their 40, and wide receiver Rod Gardner turned a screen pass into a 12-yard gain. A sack by Arizona defensive tackle Mao Tosi and a holding penalty on left tackle Chris Samuels pushed back the Redskins. But Kato Serwanga downed Bryan Barker's punt at the Cardinals 1, and Arizona managed two yards before punting.
The Redskins got the ball at the Cardinals 35 1 minute 33 seconds before halftime but couldn't capitalize. Reserve tailback Ki-Jana Carter was stopped a yard shy of a first down on a third-and-two carry. Schottenheimer opted for a field goal try. But Conway yanked the 44-yarder wide left, with the ball grazing the upright.
The Cardinals took over at their 34 with 38 seconds to go before the break, and Coach Dave McGinnis decided against having Plummer kneel. The strategy backfired. Plummer threw three completions but had a pass deflect off Boston's hands. Arrington grabbed the ball on the carom and raced 43 yards down the sideline, a play reminiscent of the touchdown he scored on an interception against the Carolina Panthers to spark the Redskins to their first win of the season.
The Redskins had nine seconds to work with and were eight yards from the end zone. But a completion from Banks to Eric Metcalf got only three yards and used four seconds, and Conway kicked his 22-yarder as time expired in the half.
The Redskins maintained the lead and their advantage in field position during a tedious third quarter. The Cardinals had to start one drive at their 10-yard line following a bobbled kickoff, and another at their 6 when Serwanga made a superb tackle on a Redskins' punt.
Tight end Walter Rasby finally got the Redskins offense moving again with an 11-yard reception. Banks zipped a throw between two defenders to Lockett, who made a sliding catch on the second play of the fourth quarter for an 18-yard gain on third and 10. That set up Conway's 42-yard field goal, increasing the lead to 13-3 with just under 13 minutes remaining.
The Cardinals went three plays and out when Boston and Jenkins dropped passes, and the Redskins churned out a 58-yard drive to seal the outcome. Gardner's leaping catch over cornerback Corey Chavous was good for 40 yards and a first down at the Arizona 2, and Davis got into the end zone with a pair of one-yard runs.
"We're trying to get a five-game streak," Banks said. "Obviously this team knows it can do it. Now it's a matter of trying to get it in December."
