GREEN BAY, Wis., Sept. 24 -- The Washington Redskins were overwhelmed for the second time in two games, and now they can only hope the competitive portion of their season has not ended before October. Their offense seemed virtually incapable of moving the ball, and they lost to the Green Bay Packers, 37-0, tonight before 59,771 at Lambeau Field.
"It's very frustrating," wide receiver Michael Westbrook said. "It's embarrassing. It's one of the hardest things I've had to do in a long time. To go out and lose 37-0, it's ridiculous."
Negotiations to rework Redskins defensive end Marco Coleman's contract aren't going well. "I have to do what's best for me," Coleman, left, said.
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The Redskins (0-2) looked even more inept than they did in dropping their season opener, 30-3, in San Diego 15 days earlier. And to make matters worse, they had a worrisome list of injuries. Linebacker LaVar Arrington left the game in the second quarter because of what team officials called a sprained right knee. Defensive end Marco Coleman exited in the third quarter with what the club described as a dislocated left elbow. Neither is likely to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at FedEx Field, and reserve cornerback Donovan Greer could be sidelined even longer by a knee injury.
Quarterback Jeff George was not benched by Coach Marty Schottenheimer, as he was in San Diego. But he again was ineffective, completing 15 of 24 passes for 102 yards. He threw a third-quarter interception that led to a Green Bay field goal. Schottenheimer said he did not consider sitting down George tonight but indicated he will explore all his options this week.
"That's obviously not what we were expecting to do," said Schottenheimer, who is 0-2 as an NFL coach for the first time. "We're disappointed. We've got some things we have to solve. The only way to solve them is to keep working at them."
Said George: "I wish I had the answer for it. I don't."
Tailback Stephen Davis (65 yards, 13 carries) was productive at times, but the Redskins took only one snap in Green Bay territory before their final garbage-time drive. They managed two yards of offense in the third quarter and 137 yards for the game.
The Packers (2-0) got three touchdown passes from quarterback Brett Favre, 116 rushing yards from tailback Ahman Green and three field goals by place kicker Ryan Longwell. The final indignity came when Green Bay's Rondell Mealey picked up a fumble by the Redskins' Michael Bates on a kickoff return and went 27 yards for a touchdown with three minutes to play.
A 12-yard punt by the Redskins' Bryan Barker set up Favre's first touchdown pass, a 12-yard dart to wide receiver Antonio Freeman that victimized safety Sam Shade. Cornerback Champ Bailey was beaten for a 41-yard touchdown to wideout Bill Schroeder in the third quarter, and Favre began the fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown throw to tight end Bubba Franks.
"It's a little shocking," Bailey said. "If you saw everything we did in practice and the way we prepare, you'd never think we would come out and play like this."
The evening began with a show of emotion by the fans, who waved American flags and filled the stadium with chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" Linebacker Chris Gizzi led the Packers on the field and ran the length of the field with a flag in hand, and players and coaches from both teams stood alongside firemen and police officers holding a large flag during the national anthem.
The Redskins defense managed to stop the Packers on the opening possession. But the offense, after getting a first down on three runs by Davis, bogged down when Westbrook dropped a second-down pass from George, then made a six-yard reception on third and eight.
Special teams gaffes have plagued the Redskins since the preseason, and Barker quickly added to the procession. His 12-yard punt gave the Packers possession at the Redskins 42-yard line, and they were in the end zone six plays later.
Coach Mike Sherman opted to go for a first down on fourth and two from the Redskins 34, and the strategy paid off. Favre dropped to pass and looked deep down the middle for tight end David Martin. He was covered. But Favre had plenty of time and found wide receiver Corey Bradford wide open near the left sideline. Bradford made the catch for a 22-yard gain before Shade could make the tackle.
