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Painful loss reveals Redskins' shortcomings

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09/25/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the promise generated by a 2-0 start can't be destroyed by just one loss, the Washington Redskins probably can't help but think of what could have been following Sunday's battle with the rival New York Giants.

Washington appeared to be well on its way to a third consecutive September victory after building a seemingly comfortable 17-3 halftime lead against a Giants team plagued by breakdowns and inefficiency. But a second-half collapse and futile execution in a late goal-line situation paved the way for a 24-17 defeat that left many questions unanswered.

Much of the blame for Sunday's downfall has to go to a Redskins offense that produced a meager 81 total yards after intermission and didn't get a second- half first down until less than four minutes were left in the fourth quarter. The unit's lack of effectiveness was never more prevalent than on Washington's final drive of the day, when the offense failed to score a potential game- tying touchdown despite having three chances from the Giants' one-yard line.

The Redskins got to the New York one with a 20-yard connection from quarterback Jason Campbell to wide receiver Antwaan Randle El with just under a minute remaining. Campbell then spiked the ball with Washington out of timeouts before having a flat pass intended for fullback Mike Sellers knocked away by Giants' linebacker Kawika Mitchell.

Head coach Joe Gibbs then called for two straight running plays for second- string back Ladell Betts to the left side. Both were stuffed by New York's resurgent defense, as the Redskins turned the ball over on downs.

Gibbs took full responsibility for his team's final-second failures, while also attempting to justify the play sequence that apparently didn't full the Giants.

"We went with the plays that we felt like we had a good shot of trying to score with," Gibbs said. "We felt like we had three good shots there."

The goal-line adventures weren't Washington's only problems during the second half, however. The defense wilted under the strain of being on the field so much over the final 30 minutes, allowing the Giants to convert 7-of-9 third- down conversions over the course of the last two quarters. New York held the ball nearly 20 minutes during the second half.

"It always works together," said Gibbs afterward. "Offensively if you don't move it, it affects the defense. When you play a game like that, I know everybody wants to say, 'Hey this is the problem, or this is the person that's the problem,' but that's rarely the case. In our case it's all three units, and myself."

A NEEDED BREAK

Washington enters its bye week at an opportune time, as the club had a number of key players banged up in Sunday's contest. The most concerning injury occurred to playmaking wide receiver Santana Moss, who suffered a groin strain on the team's final drive and almost surely would not have played if the Redskins had a game this weekend.

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh was also forced out of the game in the fourth quarter because of pinched nerves in both of his shoulders, while defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin missed some time as well after hurting his right knee. The Redskins have termed Griffin's injury as a bruise, but the Washington Post reported that the veteran lineman has a slight meniscus tear in the knee. The team does believe there's a good chance Griffin will be able to play through the injury when it takes the field against Detroit in two weeks, however.

Cornerback Fred Smoot sat out his second straight game on Sunday due to a strained hamstring, but is expected to be at or near 100 percent for the Detroit game.

KEEPING FINGERS CROSSED

Starting right guard Randy Thomas underwent successful surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn triceps tendon suffered in Washington's Week 2 victory at Philadelphia. The nine-year veteran remains hopeful that he will be able to contribute later on this season, and the Redskins have not placed Thomas on season-ending injured reserve. Recovery time for such an injury is considered to be between 10-to-12 weeks, meaning Thomas could be back in the lineup for the final few regular-season games if there are no setbacks.

With Thomas sidelined indefinitely, the Redskins added some needed proven depth up front with the signing of seven-year pro Rick DeMulling on Thursday. The 30-year-old has started 53 career games with Indianapolis and Detroit, and made seven starts for the Lions in 2006. DeMulling re-signed with the Colts over the offseason but was released by the defending Super Bowl champs during the final wave of cuts.

Jason Fabini took Thomas' place at right guard against the Giants and will remain in that role for the time being, with DeMulling serving as the primary reserve.

NEXT UP

The Redskins won't again be in action until October 7, when an improved Detroit Lions squad invades FedEx Field for a Week 5 matchup. Detroit, which won a mere three games during a miserable 2006 campaign, opened the season with back-to-back wins before running into a focused Philadelphia team on Sunday. The revved-up Eagles scored touchdowns on their first five possessions en route to a 56-21 rout of the Lions.

The teams have not faced each other since the 2004 season, when the Redskins came through with a 17-10 decision in the Motor City. The Lions last visited FedEx Field on January 8, 2000, a 27-13 Washington triumph in the Wild Card round of that season's NFC Playoffs.

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