It felt different and yet it felt the same. For a change, the Redskins’ offense provided the sparks with late-game heroics and big passes downfield. They looked, for a game at least, like a high-functioning attack. They looked like a group that, paired with a good defense, could actually spring an upset or two.
That part was different.
This part was not: the end result.
Dallas’ Dan Bailey kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime to beat Washington 27-24 and send the Redskins (3-7) to their sixth straight loss. It’s the Redskins longest losing streak since they lost their first seven games in 1998. The Cowboys (6-4) drove 37 yards after a Graham Gano missed 52-yard field goal.
Another part that wasn’t different: There were more injuries. Left tackle Trent Williams injured his left MCL and will need an MRI on Monday. Coach Mike Shanahan said “it didn’t look good.”
This game was unlike the others during this skid. It was really the only time Washington had a legitimate chance to win late in the game. And it was their highest offensive output of the season. It was also more than the Redskins had scored in the previous three games combined.
“Anytime the offense puts points on the board like that, we’ve got to win the game,” Redskins corner DeAngelo Hall said. “We’re … complaining the last couple weeks about them putting up 10 points, nine points and they come out and put up 24 and we don’t win.”
The offense clicked because the passing game had its best showing in weeks. Quarterback Rex Grossman was poised in the pocket — he was sacked three times but had plenty of time on most of his 43 dropbacks. He threw for 221 yards after halftime and 289 total.
“That’s how it’s supposed to be,” right tackle Jammal Brown said.
Grossman completed passes to nine different receivers, with seven going to receiver Jabar Gaffney for 115 yards. Grossman threw two touchdown passes and ran a draw for a third score.
“Sometimes football can have a lot of momentum to it,” Grossman said. “I don’t know why. One good play kind of leads itself to another one.”
The good plays were initially provided by returner Brandon Banks. His presence forced a 23-yard punt out of bounds at the Dallas 32, leading to a touchdown drive. Then his 32-yarder on the next series to the Dallas 43 set up Grossman’s 16-yard scoring pass to Gaffney. Later, Grossman connected with Donte Stallworth on a 4-yard fade route with 14 seconds left in regulation.
Grossman’s passing energized his teammates.
“We were just a little happy to be back where we was as far as moving the ball,” Williams said.
But it wasn’t enough. Because the defense surrendered a 59-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten when the coverage was blown and allowed a third and 15 to be converted in overtime, setting up the winning kick.
And because Redskins kicker Graham Gano pushed a 52-yard kick in overtime wide right.
“I just missed it … no excuses,” Gano said.
So their best showing in nearly two months still results in another loss.
“It’s a lot better than the past few weeks,” Stallworth said. “We didn’t do enough to win.”
