Redskins Err It Out

Gallery

Week 6: Rams 19, Redskins 17

Josh Brown drills a 49-yard field goal as time expires Sunday to lead the Rams to a stunning 19-17 upset of the Redskins.

» LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY

"I didn't expect it to be this quiet this evening in here," kick return specialist Rock Cartwright said. "We knew they didn't have nothing to lose, we knew they would come out and play hard football, and they did that.

"Unfortunately for us, I think we relaxed. You should never relax when you're playing a team like that" because that's when they're dangerous.

The Redskins outgained the Rams in total yards, 368 to 200. In rushing yards, Washington had a 181-76 advantage, averaging 5.8 yards per rush to 2.9 for St. Louis. And none of it mattered, in large part because "we overlooked a team that came here ready to play," Portis said.

The Rams began the game in a manner indicative of a winless team that ranks near the bottom of the NFL's statistics. On the second play of the second possession of the game, strong-side linebacker Marcus Washington stripped the ball from running Steven Jackson and LaRon Landry recovered it on the Rams 3.

Portis scored one play later, helping the Redskins take a 7-0 lead with 10:50 remaining in the first quarter. Given that the Rams have, well, been awful, the Redskins thought they were in a good position, which was part of the problem.

"Just knowing that you didn't play your best as a team, to prevent some of the things that they capitalized on, as far as offensively, that's hard," said wide receiver Santana Moss, who had two receptions for 22 yards. "The miscues and just not finishing the drives off, it hurts."

Brooks continued to hurt his team, too. After netting 50 yards on his impressive first punt, he failed to provide the distance and hang time Coach Jim Zorn and special teams coach Danny Smith have said he must to retain his position.

Apparently displeased with Brooks's performance, many in the crowd booed after his punts. The reaction was strongest following his 26-yard punt late in the third quarter. "We must have better punts," Zorn said. "So we'll address that, absolutely. I'll address that with him, with Danny Smith."

With 1:09 left in the first quarter, the Redskins committed their first turnover of the season on offense, as tight end Chris Cooley fumbled after teaming with quarterback Jason Campbell (18 of 26 for 208 yards) on an 11-yard reception. The offense's first turnover (Antwaan Randle El fumbled on a punt return in Week 2) occurred on its 345th play from scrimmage. The wait wasn't as long for the second turnover.

On Washington's first possession of the second quarter, Campbell couldn't secure a poor snap from center Casey Rabach, and defensive end Chris Long came up with the ball at the Rams 49-yard line. The Redskins' offense committed two turnovers in a span of 11 plays.

Then came Washington's biggest blunder. On first down at the Rams 16-yard line, defensive end Clifton Ryan tipped Campbell's pass high, and Kendall grabbed the ball and started to run.

The 13-year veteran, who is listed at 6 feet 5 and 286 pounds, didn't get far. Rams linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa separated Kendall from the ball, Atogwe scooped it up at the Rams 25 and went untouched for the touchdown.

"It's hard for me to know that I let down the 52 other guys in this locker room, the coaches, owners, the fans," Kendall said. "If I knock that ball down, whether we make the field goal or not, we win the game today.

"Guys in this locker room are upset, the fans are upset, and everybody has a right to be upset. I try to think my way around the field pretty good, and for somebody who thinks about football an awful lot, to make a boneheaded play like that, is inexplicable."

Kendall's blunder, though, was not solely responsible for the Redskins' first loss in five games, Portis said. Overconfidence could have been the biggest problem.

"I think the headlines got good," Portis said. "Guys started high-fiving and yelling, 'We here!' "