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Stop and Go for Redskins
Clinton Portis gets by Tampa Bay defensive tackle Chris Hovan to score Washington's first touchdown.
(John Raoux - AP)
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The Redskins were given a 15-yard penalty -- keeping Tampa Bay's drive alive -- and Taylor was ejected (a fine and other disciplinary action could follow).
"I wish that hadn't happened," Gibbs said.
Washington was already without top cornerback Shawn Springs (groin), and end Renaldo Wynn (who broke his right forearm in the first half), and clung to its 17-10 lead with an undermanned defense. Simms was picking through the depleted secondary when Gruden opted to throw on fourth down after using a timeout.
"They tried to switch it up," linebacker Lemar Marshall said. "But we were in a great coverage, and Marcus had pressure."
Shepherd came down with his would-be touchdown with just less than three minutes left, with Rogers reaching for the ball. "I was just trying to get my hand in there," Rogers said. "And once I looked up at the replay and saw he juggled the ball, I knew it was out." The officials concurred, Gruden was out of timeouts after losing the replay challenge, and Washington's interception clinched the win.
Rogers said the Redskins were eager to start this game on defense as well -- wanting to prove themselves equal to the NFL's top-rated defense on the opposite sideline -- and they shifted momentum nine minutes in. Tackle Joe Salave'a, who has had a painful foot injury much of the season, deflected Simms's first career playoff pass -- Salave'a swatted down at least three passes Saturday -- and disgruntled linebacker LaVar Arrington caught it, his first interception since 2001 and first big play since his last Pro Bowl season, 2003. Gruden and Simms contend Arrington fumbled the ball on the return, but the play could not be reviewed and Portis scored from six yards on the next play for a 7-0 lead.
On Tampa's next possession, Washington stripped tailback Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, a fellow Auburn product, came up with the ball, then was stripped himself around midfield. Taylor pounced on it -- "That's Sean Taylor, he's always lurking," Washington said -- and returned it 51 yards for the score, his second straight week with a defensive touchdown.
Antonio Brown recovered his own fumbled punt to prevent the Buccaneers from pulling closer, and the teams traded field goals before halftime. Even then, however, the Redskins were getting the breaks, and they left the field with their most meaningful game still to be played.
"We didn't agree with that two-point play they got before and things turned our way this time," Salave'a said. "We've just got to take this and run with it."
