December 11, 2011
By Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
Maybe it would have been better if the Redskins never had a chance, but with just over a minute to play, there they were, second and goal at the Patriots’ five-yard line. Santana Moss in for the touchdown. If they had tried and made a two point conversion, they would have won and walked away with more than a moral victory. London Fletcher put it this way after the game: “You either won or you lost. We’re 4-9 so what’s a moral victory?”
The Redskins didn’t get their “Tebow” ending. Instead of upsetting the Patriots, they lost their eighth in nine games. Instead of becoming the hero of the game, Moss turned into the scapegoat; his touchdown pass was negated due to pass interference. Then a tipped pass turned into an interception for New England linebacker Jerod Mayo. It was a heartbreaking end for the Skins, who put up 27 points against the Patriots’ defense and saw their season effectively end on one play.
In a division whose leaders are 7-6, the Redskins could have kept their dim playoff hopes alive with a win. Instead, they will play the last three games once again eliminated from playoff contention and finish with a losing record for the third year in a row. December is not a kind month in Washington.
Despite the loss, the Redskins put up a good offensive showing against Tom Brady and the Patriots, who no doubt expected to get their tenth win with ease at FedEx. Grossman completed 19 of 32 passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns (as well as a sack fumble which resulted in a Patriots TD early in the first quarter), while Roy Helu rushed for 170 yards and became the first rookie in franchise history to have three straight 100-yard games. Brady, though good, was not in top form, completing 22 of 37 passes for 357 yards, three touchdowns and one costly end zone interception.
While Redskins fans cheered, Brady was seen getting into a heated sideline argument with the Patriots offensive coordinator. Afterwards, he looked cool and composed, telling reporters the coaches are there to put him in his place. One wonders if he’d have been so calm if the game had ended differently.
The Skins were also plagued by speculative officiating and bad penalties. Linebacker London Fletcher got a personal foul in the second quarter for what the refs said was a late hit to Brady in the head. The replay showed Fletcher’s arm clearly hitting him in the chest. Cornerback DeAngleo Hall didn’t help matters when he threw an official’s flag after he was called for holding, basically handing the Patriots 15 yards.
In the end, it doesn’t matter if the Redskins could’ve won that game. It doesn’t matter because they didn’t. They lost. They played well – but not well enough. They’re out of the running now. They’ll end their season under .500 and very possibly under last year’s 6-10 record. These words aren’t said with anger or sadness, but as a matter of fact. Every off-season the Redskins talk of a return to greatness and every season they come up empty.
