The playoffs? Gone. A .500 record? Gone. Philadelphia took care of both possible longshot outcomes Sunday.
But there was one positive to emerge from Washington’s 21-19 loss to the Eagles (7-6).
“We found a kicker,” Redskins guard Randy Thomas said.
Let the parade begin.
The Redskins might have a hard time building a marketing slogan around the fact that Shaun Suisham made all four of his field goals Sunday. Winning might actually sell better.
Instead, the Redskins’ season, which began with now-foolish talk of a Super Bowl, has delved into one where the players and coaches trumpet playing hard.
“We played hard and fought to the end,” linebacker Marcus Washington said.
That might be celebrated even more if they were still playing in the youth leagues, but the sad reality is Washington (4-9) routinely plays hard … and loses. This is the Redskins’ fourth losing season in five years.
The Redskins have wasted back-to-back standout performances from the running game and back Ladell Betts (326 yards the past two weeks). Also, they talk about wanting to play smart, with more evidence Sunday courtesy of 11 penalties. And they’ve talked about the need to force turnovers, yet for the eighth time this season they forced none. The conclusion: They’re a bad team.
“It’s the same old things,” said Redskins corner Carlos Rogers, who dropped one near interception and was later burned on a 60-yard pass.
“We have to play smarter,” left tackle Chris Samuels said.
Thomas talked about the direction the Redskins are headed, spurred by a physical ground game. But for some weeks now, that direction has been obvious: south.
“We’re teasing ourselves,” Thomas said. “We show greatness and then go three and out.”
Quarterback Jason Campbell, at least, shows reason for hope while enduring growing pains. Two of his first-half mistakes resulted in interceptions, one of which went for a touchdown as the Redskins buried themselves in a 21-3 hole. After Suisham’s 35-yard field goal cut the deficit to 21-19, the Eagles held the ball for the final four minutes, 58 seconds.
Campbell responded with a strong second half, completing seven of 12 passes for 100 yards.
Still, the loss led to more of the same in the locker room, one that remains united despite four losses in five games.
“We just have to stay positive, stay together and try to get some momentum here,” Washington said.
Momentum is started by success.
“We didn’t want to have a losing record,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. “We had a lot wrapped up in this game. The way you finish is what people remember.”
