Wide receiver Michael Westbrook had a brilliant afternoon, catching three scoring passes. (AP)

By Liz Clarke
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 23, 1998; Page C1

In a game that packed in a season's worth of heartbreak and glory, the Washington Redskins nearly engineered the greatest regular season comeback in NFL history against the NFC East rival Arizona Cardinals yesterday.

After trailing 31-0, the Redskins scored six touchdowns in the final 31 minutes to twice pull within three points in the waning minutes. But the rally fell short, and the Redskins lost, 45-42, before a crowd of 63,435 at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium.

The Redskins did their best to drive fans from the stands in the first quarter, their most hapless stretch of football all season, giving up 17 points in barely 10 minutes. But those who stayed, to cheer and whoop and holler like Redskins fans of old, were rewarded with a riveting finish.

Trent Green threw four touchdown passes – the most by a Redskins quarterback in a single game since John Friesz had four against New Orleans in 1994 – and rushed for a fifth to pull within a field goal of forcing overtime with 1 minutes 46 seconds left. Wide receiver Michael Westbrook had a brilliant afternoon, catching three scoring passes.

But in the end, it was Arizona's young quarterback, Jake Plummer, who made the difference, shaking off tackles, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for two more.

It was the third-highest scoring game in Redskins history, and its gaudy numbers told only part of the story. The Redskins (2-9) compiled 421 yards of offense, just 68 on the ground. Meanwhile, the Redskins' defense let the Cardinals (6-5) pile up 436 yards, including 188 rushing.

In his halftime speech, with his team trailing 31-6, Coach Norv Turner urged his players to not embarrass themselves further.

"I'm proud of the way they competed, stayed in it and fought," Turner said afterward. "You can't spot a team [31 points] and expect to win. We did have a chance, but we just dug ourselves a hole."

For all the game's stirring plays – Westbrook's diving catches, a successful onside kick that led to touchdown and a fourth-quarter interception by safety Leomont Evans that helped cut the deficit to three – there were just as many bungles and botched opportunities.

Arizona wide receiver Rob Moore, right, makes a catch as Washington's Darrell Green defends. (AP)

Place kicker Cary Blanchard missed his only two field goals, from 33 and 52 yards, plus an extra point. Leslie Shepherd drew a 15-yard penalty for spiking the ball after a successful two-point conversion, which helped Arizona to good field position – and a score – on the next drive. And a questionable call with about four minutes left gave the Cardinals a second chance at what became their game-clinching touchdown.

In the locker room afterward, players didn't seem to know whether to salute their effort or hang their heads.

"Terrible. I feel terrible," said guard Joe Patton. "There's no way that team should have had us down 31 points."

Tackle Shar Pourdanesh noted the positives: "We left our hearts and souls on the field. There are no regrets. We fought."

After holding the Cardinals to three plays to open the game, the Redskins' special teams unit took over and calamity followed. Brian Mitchell muffed a punt return, which the Cardinals converted into a field goal.

Washington's offense and defense proved equally ineffective, and Arizona built its 31-0 lead on a six-yard touchdown pass by Plummer, who carried for one and 10 yards for two more scores. Running back Adrian Murrell, who had 92 yards rushing, had a 13-yard touchdown.

With less than a minute in the half, Green hit Westbrook with a hitch pattern on third and 15, and he broke free for the score. A bad snap sent Blanchard's extra point wide left.

With nothing but pride on the line, Green came out in the second half to complete five of his first seven passes, finding Westbrook with a 12-yarder to cut the lead to 31-13.

Plummer evaded a sack by Kenard Lang on the Cardinals' next possession to up the lead to 38-13, hitting Larry Centers with a nine-yard touchdown pass.

Green was perfect on his next four throws, capping an 80-yard drive with a third touchdown pass to pull to 38-20.

With barely two minutes left in the third quarter, Washington's Brett Conway tried on onside kick, and Evans recovered at the Washington 41. Five plays later, Green hit Shepherd for his fourth touchdown pass.

The fourth quarter unfolded as if the NFL's comeback record – a 32-point rally by Houston against Buffalo in a 1992 playoff game – was meant to be broken.

Plummer hurled a pass at Rob Moore, lurking in the end zone, and Evans snagged it and scampered 54 yards to the Cardinals 48. Green kept the drive alive with a nine-yard run, diving and rolling for fourth and one at the Cardinals 5. From there, he handed to Skip Hicks, whose sixth touchdown in the last three games brought the score to 38-33.

A two-point conversion worked as scripted, but Shepherd was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Backed up to the Redskins 15, Conway kicked a 60-yarder and the Cardinals started their drive at their own 45.

On third and seven, Plummer threw an eight-yard completion for a first down. Lang dropped Mario Bates for a three-yard loss, bringing up third and eight on the Redskins 42. Plummer dropped back as Redskins defenders rushed headlong. Jammed up, he scrambled and hurled a 35-yarder that Sanders reeled in with the tips of his fingers.

On third and one on the Washington 1. Plummer dove for the score, but appeared to fumble. Linebacker Derek Smith emerged from the pileup with the ball, but officials ruled no gain and fumble despite replays that showed Plummer crossing the plane with the ball. The ball was spotted on the 1 on fourth down.

Plummer made it with ease to extend the lead to 45-35.

With less than four minutes remaining, the Redskins put together four first downs to march 76 yards to the Arizona 2. Green hung on to the ball this time and scooted around left end for a two-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to three.

With two minutes left, the Redskins' only hope was another onside kick. But Blanchard's attempt was recovered by Arizona.

Washington's defense gave the team one last gasp, holding the Cardinals to three plays and out. But the Redskins were called for too many men on the field for the punt. The five-yard penalty brought up fourth and one, and the Cardinals tried to convert. Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson dropped Bates for a one-yard loss.

Driving from Washington's 32, Green threw his first interception with 1:16 left and the Cardinals ran out the clock.