The Washington Redskins 2005 Season Recap
Compiled by Dan Hargett
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Web Posted: Monday, Jan. 23, 2006; 3:36 p.m. EST
 R E G U L A R S E A S O N
Week 1: Redskins 9, Chicago Bears 7
Starting quarterback Patrick Ramsey suffers a neck injury in the second quarter and is replaced by Mark Brunell, who leads the Redskins to an Opening Day victory that earns him the starting job for the rest of the season. Week 2: Redskins 14, Dallas Cowboys 13
The Redskins appear down and out until Mark Brunell and wide receiver Santana Moss hook up on two improbable touchdown passes in the final three minutes, the first on a fourth-and-15 desperation play, to stun the Cowboys before a national television audience on Monday night in Dallas. Week 3: Bye Week Week 4: Redskins 20, Seattle Seahawks 17
Recently acquired kicker Nick Novak, a University of Maryland product, boots a 39-yard field goal 5½ minutes into overtime as the Redskins win a game they would have lost had Seahawks' kicker Josh Brown made a field goal attempt to end regulation. Week 5: Denver Broncos 21, Redskins 19
The Redskins surrender a pair of long touchdown runs yet have a chance to tie the game with 1:09 to go, but Mark Brunell's two-point conversion pass to a wide-open David Patten is knocked down as Washington loses for the first time in 2005. Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs 28, Redskins 21
The Redskins outgain the Chiefs by more than 100 yards and Mark Brunell throws for 331 yards and three scores, but Washington is undone by three fumbles, one of which is returned 80 yards for a touchdown. Week 7: Redskins 52, San Francisco 49ers 17
The Redskins put on an offensive show in scoring their most point since the Super Bowl season of 1991 as Clinton Portis breaks the end zone barrier three times and runs for 101 yards while a swarming defense produces two turnovers and five sacks. Week 8: New York Giants 36, Redskins 0
The Redskins are overwhelmed in the Meadowlands against a Giants team that plays with passion and purpose with the recent death of longtime co-owner Wellington Mara fresh in their minds. Tiki Barber runs for a career-high 206 yards in a thrashing of their NFC Eastern-Division foes. Week 9: Redskins 17, Philadelphia Eagles 10
Safety Ryan Clark intercepts Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb at the goal line with 90 seconds remaining and the Redskins get a host of key plays from unexpected sources to rebound with a bruising victory at FedEx Field. Week 10: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36, Redskins 35
The Redskins are done in by a risky and questionable two-point conversion by running back Mike Alstott, a play that warrants an extended replay conference by officials. Washington overcomes an 11-point deficit to take the lead but can't close out the Buccaneers. Week 11: Oakland Raiders 16, Redskins 13
Former Redskins head coach Norv Turner returns to Washington for the first time since being fired in 2000 with his lackluster Raiders in tow. Oakland springs a surprising upset over an equally lethargic Washington team, which falls to 5-5. Week 12: San Diego Chargers 23, Redskins 17 (OT)
The Redskins appear primed to walk away with a victory over the Chargers, but a holding penalty and a missed field goal in the final minutes give Chargers' running back Ladanian Tomlinson the opportunity to gallop 41 yards for the game-winning touchdown in overtime to drop the Redskins a game under .500. Week 13: Redskins 24, St. Louis Rams 9
The Redskins beging the final leg of their up-and-down season with a much-needed road victory against the beleaguered Rams, whose third-string rookie quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, is flummoxed and scrambling for his life in his first NFL start against Washington's attacking defense. Week 14: Redskins 17, Arizona Cardinals 13
Antonio Brown's 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown late in the third quarter is the signature play on a day in which the Redskins fail to cash in on numerous gifts in the form of multiple turnovers from the Cardinals. Week 15: Redskins 35, Dallas Cowboys 7
After two less-than-impressive victories, the Redskins excel in all phases of the game in their rematch against the Cowboys. Washington vaults to a stunning 28-0 halftime lead behind three touchdowns by Chris Cooley and a harassing defense that puts the Redskins in control of the NFC's final wild-card playoff spot. Week 16: Redskins 35, New York Giants 20
Backup Patrick Ramsey takes over for an injured Mark Brunell in the third quarter to throw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss, who tallied three touchdowns and 160 receiving yards, to help vault the Redskins to their fourth consecutive victory. Week 17: Redskins 31, Philadelphia Eagles 20
An acrobatic fourth-quarter interception by Lemar Marshall and a 39-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Sean Taylor saves the day for the Redskins, who overcome a fierce effort to sweep the Eagles and earn their first playoff berth since 1999. P L A Y O F F S
NFC First Card: Redskins 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10
The Redskins travel back to the site of a controversial loss in Week 10 and produce their first postseason victory in six years with a combination of good fortune, stalwart defense, and a dropped pass by Edell Shepherd in the end zone that would have tied the game late in the fourth quarter. NFC Semifinal: Seattle Seahawks 20, Redskins 10
The Seahawks lose league MVP Shaun Alexander with a concussion in the first quarter, but the Redskins offense can get little going against a determined and agile Seattle defense. Washington's season, and a six-game winning streak, come to an end at rainy Quest Field.
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