Jim Zorn wondered what was happening. So did Jason Campbell. Clinton Portis, too. The Washington Redskins were bewildered, fans were belligerent and the franchise seemed belittled.
The Redskins managed to find a team that was even more terrible in the 16-13 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. It was perhaps the worst effort by the home team since fans exited FedEx Field en masse at halftime in a 1998 loss to hapless Arizona.
The Redskins are 2-2 amid a collegiate-like non-conference schedule. Washington has consecutively played perhaps the NFL’s three worst teams with 0-3 Carolina next and 0-4 Kansas City afterwards. The Redskins are 2-1 versus perhaps the worst string of opponents in modern NFL history.
Indeed, it was another ugly victory over a winless opponent. Tampa Bay led 10-0 after forcing the first of Campbell’s four turnovers. The Buccaneers should have led 21-0 and crushed the Redskins’ hopes. Fans booed the home team seven times, including a rousing sendoff to the halftime locker room.
“I was taking a few deep breaths,” Zorn admitted. Zorn questioned his playcalling, wondering why nothing worked. He wasn’t alone.
But this was a victory in perseverance. While Campbell was throwing three interceptions to Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib, Washington came within 10-9 on Chris Cooley’s 17-yard touchdown reception. The next possession was that deep ball so missing since the preseason opener — a 59-yard touchdown to Santana Moss for a 16-10 lead.
In just a few minutes, Campbell’s job was saved. So was Zorn’s for now. The franchise won’t endure another week of high volume sports talk radio.
Unlike the much-criticized 9-6 victory over hapless St. Louis two weeks ago, the stands were wild in the final minutes after earlier mocking a punt return and a first down. Style points over outmatched opponents are no longer scored. It has become a simple fall version of March Madness — survive and advance.
“We didn’t let this one slip away,” Portis said.
That is something given Washington lost to 0-19 Detroit one week earlier. But it also makes fans wonder what happens when the Redskins finish this non-NFC East streak? What happens when Dallas, Philadelphia and New York come calling?
There’s a real sense the Redskins aren’t very good even in victory. Yet, it may prove an illusion. Just like Maryland shook off a poor 1-3 non-conference start to knock off ACC foe Clemson on Saturday, so can Washington step up once released from the dregs of the NFL.
Maybe Washington is merely the cream of the crud, but in the NFL that can count for a half dozen wins. The Redskins aren’t completely helpless when they can help themselves to victories over terrible teams.
The locker room wasn’t overjoyed by the victory. They understood what happened. Washington needs to get better or things will get worse.
As soon as they’re done playing the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
