The stirring win returned their swagger, allowing them to believe miracles could happen. Or, at least, they could get on a roll, climb back into the playoff chase and finish strong.
And then came Sunday.
And then came more questions the Redskins, 27-3 losers to the host Eagles (5-4), simply can’t answer anymore. Why can’t they stop big plays? Why can’t they move the ball consistently? Why can’t they play smarter?
The biggest question also went unanswered: Who will start at quarterback? For the first time this season, coach Joe Gibbs did not definitively say incumbent Mark Brunell would remain the starter. For those who like symmetry, Brunell was benched two years ago when the Redskins were 3-6, as they are now.
“I don’t have any initial thoughts,” Gibbs said when asked about the quarterback situation.
“He’s the leader and he’s our quarterback,” Redskins guard Randy Thomas said in a dejected, and quiet, locker room.
Brunell, who had a 49.4 passer rating Sunday, threw an interception that was returned 70 yards for a third-quarter touchdown.
“I don’t know if that was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Redskins receiver Brandon Lloyd said, “but it was a play we didn’t need.”
Brunell and Lloyd hooked up for the one good offensive play, a 43-yard pass.
“We’ve had moments, but simply not enough,” Brunell said. “We are not where we want to be or where we expected to be.”
Meanwhile, running back Clinton Portis broke a bone in his right hand. Director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer said Portis could miss three-to-four weeks. He’ll undergo surgery to insert screws into the bone on the fourth finger. Ladell Betts will start in his place.
Still, Washington’s problems are bigger than Portis. The Redskins have now been outscored, 73-16, in three NFC East road games, have few legitimate options. Changes might be hard to spot.
“We’ll fight to the bitter end,” Gibbs said. “A bunch of these guys were with us when we went 6-10 and they turned it around last year. That group will fight. I feel good about that part.”
