There were plays early in the game. Washington set itself up to take a commanding lead early, first driving deep into Houston territory and then creating a turnover. The Redskins managed just six points.
There were plays late in the game. The Redskins had a chance to take a 10-point lead, another commanding edge, only to have a 29-yard field goal blocked.
And that’s how a 17-point lead — and visions of 2-0 — becomes a frustrating overtime loss.
“It stings,” Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “We let this one go.”
Houston’s Neil Rackers kicked a 35-yard field goal to give the Texans a 30-27 win over the Redskins. Washington quarterback Donovan McNabb threw for 426 yards but was a couple inches here and a throw or two there from nearing 500.
Meanwhile, Houston rolled up 526 yards of total offense.
Redskins kicker Graham Gano missed a 52-yarder in overtime — after Texans coach Gary Kubiak had taken a timeout just before he drilled a 52-yarder.
“I got a little more relaxed on the second one,” Gano said. “Maybe next time I won’t relax as much.”
The other bad part for Washington (1-1) is having left tackle Trent Williams get hurt. He will have an MRI of his left knee and big toe, but his ACL apparently is OK.
Here’s how a 27-10 lead late in the third quarter turned into an overtime loss:
No running game
The Redskins managed just 18 yards on 17 carries, though Clinton Portis had 33 on 13 carries. They couldn’t run time off the clock. But the Redskins did manage 21 yards on three runs on consecutive plays in the fourth quarter, setting up a third-and-1 from the Houston 5. But a false start pushed them back five yards, and McNabb’s pass was incomplete.
Poor blocking
Right after that pass, the Redskins attempted a 29-yard field goal. But Houston overloaded the right side of the Redskins’ line, and tight end Fred Davis, who initially blocked inside, could not get his hands on outside rusher Bernard Pollard, who blocked the kick.
“I tried to put my arm on him,” Davis said. “I had him, and usually the ball comes out quicker. There was nothing I could do.”
Missed opportunities
The Redskins had first-and-10 at the Houston 24-yard line on their first possession — and settled for a 41-yard Gano field goal. On the next series, following a Carlos Rogers interception, Washington had a first down at the 7. The Redskins managed only three more points. Later, with 3:40 remaining, McNabb missed receiver Joey Galloway by inches in the end zone for what would have been a 54-yard touchdown — and 34-20 lead.
Andre Johnson
The Texans receiver finished with 158 yards on 12 catches. On fourth-and-10 with 2:11 left in the game, the 6-foot-3 Johnson outjumped 6-1 Redskins safety Reed Doughty for a 34-yard touchdown.
“You want to be a hero,” Doughty said. “He was instead. … I felt I was in position; you’ve got to make the play.”
