Redskins fall apart in fourth quarter; Capitals struggle despite new coach

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December 1, 2011
By Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider

The Jets and Skins game was pretty poorly played by both sides on Sunday. It’s no surprise; it’s been a disappointing season for both teams. The Skins have turned a 3-1 start into a 4-8 last place record, while the Jets’ early season skid has them struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive in a tough division.

While the Redskins marched down the field on their opening drive to take an early 7-0 lead, it was answered by a Jets scoring drive that took over 9 minutes and covered 74 yards.  The Skins were able to regain the lead in the second quarter with a 33-yard field goal by Graham Gano, which was answered in turn with a Jets’ 45-yarder. It appeared that it was going to be tied going into the half, but a Jets mishap allowed the Skins another chance to score. With Grossman’s poor throwing, they weren’t able to take a shot at a TD, but did end up taking the lead with a field goal, 13-10.

The game seemed to be anyone’s for the taking going into the fourth quarter. While the Jets were able to tie it, 13-13 in the third quarter, it was the Skins who scored first in the last 15-minutes of play, and took a 16-13 lead with under eight minutes to play. Unfortunately, the Jets were unable to do what the Skins could not – score touchdowns. The first came as a 30-yard pass from Sanchez to Santonio Holmes who was waiting for it in the end zone. The next came on a sack fumble by Grossman, which gave the Jets back the ball deep in Redskins territory.

In less than two minutes, the game had gone from close to all but over with the commentators noting that the Jets were “waving bye bye to the Redskins fans.”  A field goal by Graham Gano with under 3:52 minutes to play made the game a one possession game (27-19), but the Jets weren’t done yet. New York running back Shonn Greene rushed for his third touchdown of the game and put the game away for the Jets, 34-19.

It was the second consecutive win for New York, who had lost two of their first three games in November. They move to 7-5, two games behind the AFC North leading Patriots. The Redskins, meanwhile, have seen another season go up in smoke. And the hits didn’t end on the field. After the game, news broke that both left tackle Trent Williams and tight end Fred Davis would be suspended for the rest of the season due to multiple failed drug tests. It’s just the latest disappointment in another lost season.

Capitals:  New coach, same results

Although the games have been closer, the outcome has been the same. The Capitals are still getting acquainted with Coach Dale Hunter’s “defense first” methodology while simultaneously trying to improve their offense and scoring. The team struggled to score goals in the first two games under Hunter, losing both 2-1.

Hunter’s Caps got their first win on Saturday with an overtime goal by Brooks Laich. The 3-2 was their first in five games and the first since they said goodbye to ex-coach Bruce Boudreau. They had an opportunity to extend their winning ways on Monday night, on the road against the division leading Florida Panthers.

It would have been a big win for Washington, who had the opportunity to take back first place in the Southeast Division, but instead find themselves increasingly average. Thanks in large part to two goals and an assist by Stephen Weiss, the panthers proved they were a force to be reckoned with, building an early 5-1 lead against the disoriented Caps. It made one wonder where Ovechkin was in all of this – none of Caps’ scoring goals came from Ovechkin.

While the Capitals were able to rally to close the gap to 5-4, it wasn’t enough to overcome their early game deficit. Washington has fallen to just above .500, at 13-12, and have a 3-7 record in their last 10 games. The frustration is mounting for players as well as fans, who are unaccustomed to their Caps being anywhere but first place. As Laich told reporters after last night’s game, “We’re not here to try; we’re here to win.”

 

 

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