Rex Grossman’s eyes betrayed him. Trying to remain positive after yet another loss, the Washington Redskins quarterback stared up and to the right as if he were searching his soul for a response. He often does so when he reflects on the aggravating 4-9 season.
The 34-27 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday at FedEx Field hurt worse than the previous eight defeats this season. Worse than the 18-16 loss at Dallas, the 19-11 loss to San Francisco and the 20-13 loss to Philadelphia, all games in which maybe one play would have made the difference.
“It can be more frustrating when that happens,” Grossman said. “It can be so disappointing. We still lost. It almost hurts more in a different way.”
The Redskins haven’t been overrun this season. The blowout losses of recent years haven’t returned. There have been plenty of near misses that could have easily been victories. A win against the Patriots (10-3), the NFL’s gold standard even when their defense is playing like fool’s gold, was a chance to regain some respect.
But the Redskins always seem a missed play away. This time it was two at the end by receiver Santana Moss, who blamed officials on each.
Washington was finally in a shootout. It led 17-14 in the second quarter and was tied midway through the third. Redemption was near. But an offensive pass interference call on Moss and a pass bobbled by Moss — resulting in an interception — on the final drive meant it wasn’t to be.
Shanahan planned to attempt a two-point conversion had the Redskins scored rather than risk overtime, when a coin toss might decide the winner. Neither defense seemed capable of stopping the other team even though both grabbed interceptions in the fourth quarter. Hence, Shanahan was willing to gamble on one play.
It was a moral victory of sorts, the type that doesn’t cost the Redskins a chance for a top four pick and possibly quarterback Robert Griffin III in the April draft. But that won’t stop Grossman from looking for the reasons these defeats continue.
Washington proved it hasn’t surrendered. It would have been easy to bag the final month after losing suspended offensive tackle Trent Williams and tight end Fred Davis to drug suspensions and offensive tackle Jammal Brown to a groin injury during pregame warmups.
The Redskins often played without an experienced tackle, quickly evidenced by rookie Willie Smith whiffing on his second career snap and allowing a sack and fumble that gave New England a 7-0 lead. Yet Washington followed with its best offensive flow of the season. Running back Roy Helu had his third straight 100-yard game, a franchise rookie record.
Receiver Jabar Gaffney dove into the stands after his touchdown catch. Too bad no one caught him, but even the crowd was surprised the Redskins still cared.
“When you make a play you should celebrate,” Grossman said. “When you do something well, it’s fine. You enjoy it and jump into the stands, fall down in the stands and let your emotions go. It’s what you play the game for.”
At least the Redskins offer fans passion for the final weeks. It’s all they have left.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
