“We’ve had opportunities,” Redskins running back Rock Cartwright said.

No kidding. Actually, they’ve had quite a few. And, with proper execution, their reality entering December would be much different.

However, the reality also is this: good teams find a way to win; bad teams find ways to lose. And the 3-8 Redskins found ways to lose even before the injuries mounted.

Here are some key failed sequences:

The goal line vs. Detroit » The Redskins drove downfield with ease on their first possession and faced a first-and-goal from the Lions’ 9-yard line. Three plays later they had a fourth-and-goal from the 1. They ran left. But lead blocker Mike Sellers went to the wrong hole, a big reason Clinton Portis failed to score.

The stop served to inspire lowly Detroit. The Lions drove 99 yards for their own touchdown. And the Redskins never recovered. Good teams do.

Freak fumble » Once more, the Redskins positioned themselves for a nice road victory at Carolina. They led 17-2 in the third quarter following a Portis touchdown run.

First came a Carolina touchdown drive, then a field goal and then … disaster. As Antwaan Randle El ran up to field a punt, Byron Westbrook blocked his man into him. Randle El lost the ball. Carolina recovered at the Redskins’ 12-yard line and scored two plays later. Game over.

A week later, the hangover lingered in a 14-6 loss at home against Kansas City — failing to even gain 270 yards. A first-and-goal from the 10 resulted in a field goal and 6-3 third-quarter lead. It wasn’t enough.

Lost momentum » The offense finally showed a pulse in the second half at Atlanta. The Redskins trimmed a 21-point deficit to seven early in the fourth quarter. The Falcons had gained nine yards in the second half.

But after Jason Campbell’s three-yard touchdown pass to Todd Yoder made the score 24-17, the Falcons responded. In a hurry. Three plays later, Michael Turner ran 58 yards for a touchdown. Safety LaRon Landry tried to dive and roll at Turner’s feet in a tackle attempt. He missed. Corner DeAngelo Hall tried to tackle him high. He missed. And nobody up front had a shot at him.

Momentum lost. Game lost.

Missed opportunities » This encompasses the last two games. First came the 7-6 loss to Dallas when Shaun Suisham missed two field goals — after entering the game having made his first 12 this season. The second miss, with seven minutes, 12 seconds remaining, would have made it a two-score game.

Finally, Sunday in Philadelphia. Justin Tryon intercepts a tipped pass and returns the ball to the Eagles’ 23-yard line with 13:32 to play and Washington leading, 21-16. Mike Sellers gained 12 yards on a first-down pass. But the Redskins turned conservative, called two straight running plays and failed on third down. A chance for another two-score lead was lost.

Hello two-game losing streak. Goodbye any chance of a turnaround.

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