The Washington Redskins 2004 Season Recap
Compiled by Jason Feller
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Web Posted: Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005; 3:36 p.m. EST
 R E G U L A R S E A S O N
Week 1: Redskins 16, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10
Just about everything starts out perfectly for Washington as Clinton Portis takes his first carry as a Redskin and runs 65 yards for a touchdown, the defense stifles the Bucs and Joe Gibbs wins his first game in his much-anticipated second stint with the team. Week 2: New York Giants 20, Redskins 14
The promise shown in Week 1 quickly dissipates in this mistake-filled performance against the Giants. Clinton Portis fumbles twice and Patrick Ramsey throws three second-half interceptions in relief of an injured Mark Brunell as Washington falls to 1-1. Week 3: Dallas Cowboys 21, Redskins 18
Dallas' mastery of the Redskins continues as the Cowboys benefit from some questionable calls to beat Washington for the 13th time in 14 games. Sherwood grad Richie Anderson throws the winning touchdown to Terry Glenn on a halfback option pass in the fourth quarter. Week 4: Cleveland Browns 17, Redskins 13
With all of the promise that came with Joe Gibbs's return to the Nation's Capital dissipating quickly, the Redskins struggle with clock management and the defense gives up a long game-winning drive to Cleveland's inept offense in this agonizing 17-13 loss. Week 5: Baltimore Ravens 17, Redskins 10
A 10-0 lead at halftime against Baltimore's completely punchless offense seems safe -- until Ed Reed forces a Mark Brunell fumble for a touchdown in the third quarter. Baltimore eventually leaves Fed Ex Field with bragging rights, 17-10, after B.J. Sams returns a punt for a touchdown and a Matt Stover field goal. Week 6: Redskins 13, Chicago Bears 10
The passing game remains ineffective but Clinton Portis has his first 100-yard day since Opening Day and his running combined with an atrocious performance from Bears QB Jonathan Quinn gives Washington its second win of the season. Week 8: Bye Week Week 8: Green Bay Packers 28, Redskins 14
In a season that quickly seems to be falling apart, the Redskins find yet another way to lose. The defense shuts down Brett Favre in the second half and Mark Brunell throws an apparent game-winning TD to Clinton Portis only to have the play called back on a controversial motion penalty on James Thrash. Brunell throws an interception on the next play. Week 9: Redskins 17, Lions 10
Mark Brunell passes for less than 100 yards for the fourth time but outstanding special teams play and a Clinton Portis option pass for a touchdown hands Washington a 17-10 victory in Detroit. Joe Gibbs keeps his record flawless -- 11-0 -- against the Lions. Week 10: Bengals 17, Redskins 10
For the third time in five weeks, the Redskins play a 17-10 game. This time, the Redskins lose at home to the woeful Bengals as Joe Gibbs finally makes a change at QB, bringing in Patrick Ramsey to replace a stumbling Mark Brunell. Ramsey throws two interceptions and a late rally falls short. Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles 28, Redskins 6
Once again a familiar problem plagues the Redskins. Back-to-back-to-back penalties on the offensive line take the Redskins out of the red zone in an early fourth quarter drive and Ola Kimrin subsequently misses a 48-yard kick with Washington down 14-6. The Eagles go on to score two touchdowns from there and wrap up a 28-6 win. Week 12: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Redskins 7
Patrick Ramsey faces the NFL's top-ranked defense and fails to muster much offense. The Redskins score only one touchdown and Washington falls prey to Steelers rookie QB Ben Rothliesberger, who wins his 10th consecutive game. Week 13: Redskins 31, Giants 7
The Redskins finally break the 20-point barrier for the first time in 2004. The offense gets untracked at last and the defense stifles Eli Manning as Washington gets its most impressive victory of the season and first at FedEx Field since Week 1. Week 14: Philadelphia 17, Redskins 14
Trailing by only three points late in the fourth quarter, Patrick Ramsey leads the Redskins into field goal territory. What happens next is typical of Washington's season. Ramsey tries to find Chris Cooley in the end zone but throws into double coverage and Philadelphia's Brian Dawknis picks off the pass to preserve the Eagles' win. Week 15: Redskins 26, 49ers 16
Nothing cures a heartbreaking loss like facing the NFL's worst team. The Redskins score 20 points for the second time this season and secure their first defensive touchdown in 30 games. San Francisco quarterback Ken Dorsey helps Washington by tossing four interceptions. Week 16: Cowboys 13, Redskins 10
In a season full of tantalizingly close losses, none come close to matching Washington's devastating defeat in Dallas. Just 37 seconds away from winning in Dallas for the first time since 1995, 41-year-old Vinnie Testaverde, who had been booed mercilessly by the Texas Stadium crowd all day, launches a 36-yard touchdown pass to unheralded Patrick Crayton for a 13-10 victory. Week 17: Redskins 21, Vikings 18
A victory over the Vikings ensures that the Redskins improve on last season's 5-11 record. The offense finally comes together the way Gibbs envisioned it, with a power-running game featuring Ladell Betts and several lengthy completions from Patrick Ramsey.
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