Just when the Redskins’ defense appeared headed for a repeat of 2005 … and when the Redskins started dreaming of a 3-0 record … and when they had a chance to stomp on a wounded opponent … this is what happened: The Redskins fell flat.
And one yard short.
New York stopped Washington on two runs from the 1-yard line with less than a minute remaining to preserve a 24-17 comeback victory over the host Redskins. Washington had a chance for a 3-0 start, and bye-week momentum. Instead, the Redskins now have to live with blowing a 17-3 halftime lead against a team that entered 0-2 and was disastrous defensively.
The Redskins’ offense did nothing in the second half until the final drive, when Washington moved from the Giants’ 35 to the 1, helped by a 20-yard strike to receiver Antwaan Randle El to the 1.
From there, quarterback Jason Campbell spiked the ball to stop the clock with 58 seconds left. His second-down pass in the right flat was low and behind Mike Sellers. Then running back Ladell Betts failed to score on two plays to the left side. Clinton Portis had scored on a similar play in the first quarter.
This time, however, Betts was stuffed. Twice.
“The second time, they got penetration on us,” Betts said. “We had to hurry up and run it so we scrambled and they made the play. … It’ll be hard to sleep.”
New York scored three second-half touchdowns, including the game-winner with five minutes, 32 seconds remaining when corner Carlos Rogers failed to tackle receiver Plaxico Burress on a short pass. Burress turned it into a 27-yard score.
“I should have made the tackle,” Rogers said.
New York’s defense took away a lot of the deep stuff Washington would’ve like to connect on by using two-deep coverage. The Redskins’ ground game did not respond as Clinton Portis and Betts combined for 69 yards on 21 carries.
“It’s tough,” Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said. “We’ve got to get some sense of urgency. We get relaxed and other teams gain momentum and we can’t stop them.”
Washington’s defense forced three turnovers, turning into 10 first-half points. Portis’ touchdown came after linebacker London Fletcher recovered a fumble at the Giants’ 6. Fletcher later had an interception.
But Portis’ fumble set up Burress’ touchdown.
“It should not have come down to the last play,” Redskins center Casey Rabach said.
