| Page 2 of 2 < |
Redskins Ride With the Wind
Redskins running back Clinton Portis puts a positive spin on things when he scores on five-yard run early in the third quarter against the Giants.
(By Toni L. Sandys -- The Washington Post)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
The Redskins attained a nearly insurmountable 13-0 lead a few minutes later. Moss dropped an easy catch at the 5, then rebounded to adjust to a ball in midair and gain 34 yards on third and nine. The Redskins faced third and nine again -- from the 14 this time -- and associate head coach-offense Al Saunders called a delayed draw that worked beautifully.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Collins sold the play-action fake, center Casey Rabach helps create a vacuum in the middle and Ladell Betts powered his way to the end zone, running over three Giants.
The Redskins' defense, meantime, overcame injuries to two more starters and played with poise and purpose, clogging running lanes and hitting the ballcarrier with gusto. The unit has anchored this team throughout Gibbs's return, and is thriving despite Taylor's death, yielding just three touchdowns over the past four games.
"We might bend a little bit but we don't break," defensive end Phillip Daniels said. "Keeping teams out of the end zone inside the red zone is the biggest thing we do. That's keeping us alive for the playoffs and keeping us in games."
The defense sounded an early chord by stuffing Giants tailback Reuben Droughns on a fourth-and-one attempt, and also denied New York on third and short in the first half. Quarterback Eli Manning, forever playing for his reputation in Gotham, was miserable (18 of 52 for 184 yards) and his receivers betrayed him as well with a rash of dropped balls.
If not for a drive-extending third-down taunting penalty by overaggressive rookie safety LaRon Landry -- the Redskins may have kept New York off the scoreboard entirely in the first half. Instead that penalty led to a 35-yard field goal late in the half, making it 13-3.
New York's indiscretions helped the Redskins restore their 13-point advantage before the half. Portis (25 carries for 126 yards) churned for 31 yards on a draw play to open the drive, a face mask penalty added 15 yards and Suisham kicked his third field goal as the first half expired for a 16-3 lead.
Washington opened the second half with a five-play, 46-yard drive. Collins, whose wife and baby son Jack are healthy after an emergency Caesarian birth Friday night, completed two big passes on the drive, and Portis scored from five yards. "This week was pretty crazy, but I can't complain," Collins said. "I'm just trying to take it all in and enjoy it."
A failed two-point conversion attempt left the Redskins with a 22-3 cushion. New York made it interesting with a touchdown pass to reserve tight end Kevin Boss -- Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey was lost for the season because of a fractured fibula suffered earlier in the game -- but any fears of another blown Redskins lead began to subside after kicker Lawrence Tynes missed from 38 yards with 13 minutes to play. When defensive end Demetric Evans deflected a pass on fourth down with about five minutes to play, the Redskins could turn their attention to the Vikings, and another do-or-die game.
