The 55-yard kick sailed through towards the uprights, ready to destroy a game the Redskins once upon a time had in hand; ready to steer their season in a negative direction; ready to undo defensive heroics.
Then the ball swerved gently to the left, missing its intended target by inches.
And the crowd …
Exhaled.
Just like the Redskins did after their 21-19 win over Arizona Sunday.
“I was just relieved,” Redskins linebacker London Fletcher said.
“We’re not putting teams away,” said Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who scored two touchdowns.
Washington’s defense tried to do just that. Alas, it’s offense — with 160 yards — did not help matters. Washington (4-2) ran only 25 plays in the second half and managed just four first downs, all on one touchdown drive.
“We know we’re not holding up our end of the bargain,” Portis said.
But the defense, once again, did — led by Fletcher.
The 5-foot-9 middle linebacker played a role in several major plays. He finished with a game-high 13 tackles, time and again stopping running back Edgerrin James, particularly when he ran outside.
However, Fletcher’s biggest play resulted in a touchdown. With seven minutes, 10 seconds left in the second quarter, Fletcher intercepted a Kurt Warner pass and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. End Demetric Evans dropped into coverage on the play.
“He shielded his vision,” Fletcher said. “Kurt threw outside of him too wide and I was able to catch it.”
Arizona (3-4), which trailed 21-6 after three quarters, had a chance to tie the game with 21 seconds left following a Tim Rattay touchdown pass. But the two-point conversion failed (safety LaRon Landry caught the underthrown ball in the end zone) in part because of Fletcher. He was in Anquan Boldin’s face as the receiver, who had taken a direct snap from center and ran right, threw the ball.
“He played spectacular today,” Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “Not only does he play at a high level, he gets everyone around him to play at a high level.”
The defense also set up Portis’ first touchdown as safety Sean Taylor intercepted a pass and returned it 48 yards. And the defense snuffed out another potential score when end Andre Carter forced a Warner fumble at the Redskins’ 10 with seven minutes 19 seconds remaining; end Phillip Daniels recovered for Washington.
