The Redskins were battering the Buccaneers statistically, but could only manage a 10-3 lead through more than two-and-a-half quarters. Then the unfamiliarity that bedevils new teammates took root. A botched handoff meant for Portis never made it to the running back because Brunell tripped over a lineman's feet, resulting in Tampa Bay's Ronde Barber scooping up the fumble and scoring with 4 minutes 44 seconds left in the third quarter.
After all the pageantry and promise prior to kickoff, the game was knotted at 10. A franchise with recent success relative to Washington -- the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2003 -- had seized the Redskins' first-half momentum.
Joe Gibbs, coaching his first game since 1993, is congratulated by kicker John Hall after a 16-10 win over Tampa Bay.
(Jonathan Newton -- The Washington Post)
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| _ Game Day: Redskins 16, Bucs 10 _
• Clinton Portis rushes for 148 yards and the Redskins use a stifling defense to edge the Bucs.
• Joe Gibbs brings back his familiar winning formula.
• Boswell: Welcome smash-mouth football back to Washington.
• Wilbon: Gregg Williams has the Redskins defense in attack mode.
• News Graphic: The Bucs shredded Washington's defense a year ago.
• New Redskins play-by-play man Larry Michael needs to improve.
• Mark Brunell shows veteran leadership after a critical error.
• Fans of all ages enjoy a successful return for coach Joe Gibbs.
• The Bucs' revamped offense fails to produce a touchdown.
• Play of the Game: Portis cuts back and goes 64 yards with his first regular-season carry as a Redskin.
• Notebook: Prized rookie Sean Taylor begins first game on bench.
• Best & Worst
_____ On Our Site _____
• The Redskins and a FedEx-record crowd of 90,098 celebrate Gibbs's return. More photos.
• Summary
• Grade the Redskins
• Talk about the game.
• Got Game? Take our postgame quiz and test your knowledge.
_____ Audio _____
• Gibbs hopes attention will now shift back to his players.
• Portis talks about the adjustments the Bucs made after his TD.
• QB Brad Johnson outlines how the Bucs struggled on offense.
_____ By the Numbers _____
Coach Joe Gibbs's return had several ups -- but also a few downs:
• 0: Sacks allowed by the Redskins.
• 2.7: Yards per carry for the Redskins after Clinton Portis's 64-yard touchdown run.
• 3: Total penalties for the Redskins.
• 6: Number of opening day victories for Joe Gibbs in 13 seasons.
• 4-1: Gibbs's record the game following an opening week win.
_____ Live Online _____
• Michael Wilbon was in The Chat House Monday. Read the transcript.
_____ E-mail Newsletter _____
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__ NFL Insider __
• Post's Mark Maske on all things NFL -- only on washingtonpost.com.
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The stalemate did not change until 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive tackle Jermaine Haley bore down on Johnson three minutes into the fourth quarter, and linebacker Antonio Pierce intercepted Johnson's throw a second later. Pierce returned it 16 yards to the Tampa Bay 39-yard line, and the Redskins moved it to the 12 before Hall converted a field goal.
From there, the Redskins did not founder. The story quickly moved from the ineptitude of a possible loss to the legendary coach whom Redskins owner Daniel Snyder managed to lure from his successful NASCAR business and back to the NFL.
Three hours before kickoff, several thousand fans had set up their grills and unwrapped their sausage and chili.
On one side of FedEx Field, two banners were hung, both reflecting a singular, unifying thought in what is usually a politically divided capital: "Joe Gibbs for President."
Never mind that the opener was not a National Football Conference championship game, where Gibbs's old teams were 4-1, or even a divisional playoff in January. Among the legions of Redskins fans, the game's importance was not lost on Shawn Adams, an usher in the nether reaches of FedEx Field -- "Section 401, right along the 50-yard-line," he said, proudly
"I think this is the biggest thing they've done since he's left," Adams said, referring to Gibbs's resignation in 1993. "My uncle started taking me to the games in '82 and I've 'bout seen everything with this team. To bring back the tradition like he did today, nothing more important has happened in 12 years."
