By Mark Maske and Liz Clarke
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, December 14, 1998; Page D8

CHARLOTTE, Dec. 13 — The mediocrity of the teams fighting for the final wild-card playoff spot in the NFC gave the Washington Redskins faint hopes of the postseason even after their 0-7 start. Those hopes ended today.

The Redskins' 28-25 victory over the Carolina Panthers was their fifth win in the past seven games. It also enhanced their chances of having the second pick in next spring's draft.

But it couldn't keep the Redskins in the playoff chase. They officially were eliminated with the Arizona Cardinals' 20-17 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins, at best, can finish with a 7-9 record. The Cardinals already have seven wins and have beaten the Redskins twice, giving them the tie-breaker. A season that began with sizable expectations for a playoff appearance will be the fifth straight year the Redskins have missed the postseason under Coach Norv Turner.

"I've been realistic about that for a long time," Turner said.

Neutralizing a Onetime Starter
In his first game against the Redskins since leaving them in April, Panthers defensive end Sean Gilbert did not have a tackle today.

Redskins quarterback Trent Green ended the day with three stitches in his chin but praised his offensive line, saying: "I don't remember seeing Sean all day. Our front five did a great job."

Gilbert sat out the 1997 season because of a contract dispute, then signed with the Panthers. ...

The Redskins lost running back Terry Allen after he aggravated a sprained ankle after carrying the ball twice. But cornerback Darrell Green returned late in the game after missing part of the contest with a bruised shoulder, and fullback Stephen Davis didn't permit a bruised hip and ribs to end his afternoon.

"It's our job," Davis said. "It's something you have to do."

Turner said his first clue that Green planned to return to the game came when he saw the veteran cornerback back on the field.

"It was Darrell's idea," Turner said. "I didn't know he was going back in. I look up, and he's in there. I talked to him at halftime, and I didn't feel like he'd be able to play in the second half."

Said Green: "Ultimately I made the decision for myself. ... I'm not looking for any big points for that. You feel bad when you're not in the game."

But fellow cornerback Cris Dishman was impressed, saying of Green: "He's a warrior." ...

Hicks's Touchdown Runs
Running back Skip Hicks had a pair of touchdown runs this afternoon. Hicks rushed for a four-yard score to give the Redskins a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. In the second period, he strolled five yards virtually untouched into the end zone to give the Redskins a 21-3 lead. His eight rushing touchdowns – scored in just five games – puts him within striking distance of the NFL rookie record of 11, held by the Dallas Cowboys' Emmitt Smith.

Hicks hadn't been expected to play quite so much today, but filled in after Allen sprained his ankle. Hicks's final numbers: 55 yards on 20 carries. Allen managed 56 yards on two carries (for 45 and 11 yards).

Turner Makes Kinney Wait
In an evenhanded display of justice, Turner activated defense end Kelvin Kinney, but didn't play him. Kinney was made inactive last week for the game against San Diego after missing a team meeting and walk-through without an excuse. Kinney was cited for speeding en route from Richmond, it turned out, and had been detained because he didn't have his driver's license.

However, Turner meted out the same punishment to Kinney that he did to wide receiver Michael Westbrook, ruling him inactive for one game and not playing him in the following game, after Westbrook missed a meeting and walk-through. ... Wide receiver Henry Ellard, signed last week after the Redskins lost Westbrook and James Thrash for the season, played only sparingly late in the game and didn't make a catch.