"A tale of Two QBs, McNabb and Schaub combine for over 900 yards passing." Images courtesy of Evan Vucci, AP
The 1-0 Redskins played host to the 1-0 Texans on Sunday and I was in attendance at the game. The Redskins would ultimately give up a 27-10 lead and allow the Texans to tie the game and send it into overtime, where despite stopping the Texans on their first possession, the Redskins gave them one more chance and Texans kicker Neil Rackers won it on a 35 yard field goal. Despite the outcome, I must say that this game was one of the most entertaining Redskins games in a good while and definitely the best one I’ve attended. I had to sacrifice watching any of the other games on Sunday, but it was well worth the expense. Some interesting tidbits about the Texans/Redskins relationship. Texans coach Gary Kubiak was a back up QB under the great John Elway in Denver, who was coached by Coach Mike Shanahan. Kubiak would ultimately become QB coach under Shanahan for several years before eventually landing his own head coaching position. Kyle Shanahan, Mike's son, would be the QB coach/offensive coordinator for Kubiak in Houston the past three years. This year, Junior Shanahan would jump ship and join his father here in Washington. Current Redskins back up QB, Rex Grossman, was the back up to the Texans last year. And so, this game had a bit of familiarity to it, and certainly, Junior Shanahan and Grossman's brains were picked to figure out this Texans team.
Even with this game being one of the 4:15pm games, I anticipated being at FedEx field at least three hours early. Getting to and from FedEx is not the smoothest of trips and Redskins home games aren’t the most coveted of gameday experiences. Poor management, poorly coordinated traffic patterns, expensive parking (permit or cash) are some of the plagues that loyal Redskins (and visiting team) fans must endure. The was the first time my tickets did not come with a parking permit so I was worried that I would miss out on decent parking. I can't say with confidence my approach was ideal, but my buddy John and I made the most of the time by eating and drinking, drinking and eating in the three hours before we headed into the stadium. We also chit-chatted with a nice couple who we ultimately moved down to sit with later in the game. So a bit of advice, for those who do not have permits and must go to a cash lot, I highly recommend getting yourself in the Jericho Church lot, off Arena Drive (Exit 16 off the beltway). It's only $35, tailgating is permitted and is only a ten minute walk up to the stadium. On to the game!
"The view from Section 412, Row 25. Not bad at all." Image courtesy of Optimus Cheung
"Ladies......"Image courtesy of Optimus Cheung
First quarter action saw a confident Redskins offense, led by QB Donovan McNabb go down to score field goals on the first two possessions. Texans QB Matt Schaub (UVa alum!) threw an errant INT to CB Carlos Rogers that set one up. McNabb will march down the field but only come up with 3 points. In the second quarter, Schaub will strike first with a 5 yard TD pass to WR Jacoby Jones. It was only a matter of time before the explosive Texans passing offense would wake up. Last week, they had very little need for a passing attack as they focused on the run with Arian Foster. This week, they went back to passing. Foster would be limited to under 100 yards rushing with no TDs, but even with those modest statistics, the Texans offense still put up points. After just two field goals by kicker Graham Gano, I was getting worried our stymied offense will again produce no TDs like last week against the Cowboys. Thankfully I was wrong. McNabb and the offense aimed relentlessly at passing. McNabb would hit several receivers deep that would set up two rushing TDs by RB Clinton Portis. Even with the 2 TD runs, Portis did not have a good day. Scratch that, the entire running game did not have a good day. At the end, Portis rushed 13 times for 33 yards. Back up Larry Johnson would rush twice for -7 yards, WR Santana Moss ran for -5 on a dismal reverse attempt. As a team, the net yards rushing was only 18. You can't possibly win with so few yardage. As a result, the Redskins relied nearly exclusively on McNabb's arm. He connects with WR Santana Moss, TE Chris Cooley, FB Mike Sellers and even 37 year old WR Joey Galloway (on a 62 yard pass). On one sick play, he connects with TE Fred Davis who runs down the sideline to the 1 yard line. Portis would level a Texans DB that definitely made the highlight reel. Heading into halftime, the Redskins would lead 20-7, per the scores I had mentioned previously.
"Clinton Portis scores from 1 yard out." Image courtesy of Optimus Cheung
The Texans march down the field on the first possession in the second half and end it with a Rackers 47 yard field goal. The Redskins would answer with another TD scoring drive, this time on a 22 yard TD pass from McNabb to Cooley, a fan favorite. FedEx field erupts in cheers with the Redskins taking a 27-10 lead. Unfortunately, those were the last points they'll get as the Texans make their way back with 17 unanswered points in regulation. Schaub would throw two more TDs, one to WR Kevin Walter, and the other to the NFL's best receiver in Andre Johnson. More on that TD in a bit. The Texans in the fourth quarter would get three more points by another Rackers field goal to cut it to 27-20. The Redskins nursing the lead should have played smarter football and elect to force the run and take time off the clock. They get within field goal range and set up an easy 29 yarder. But on the attempt, Texans safety Bernard Pollard comes in shallow from the right and blocks the kick, sustaining a 7 point lead. However, the Texans do not produce points and have to punt it back to the Redskins with about six minutes left. The Redskins, having abandoned any common sense in running the ball, go three and out and give it right back to the Texans who field punter Josh Bidwell's kick on the Texans 19 yard line with just over three minutes left. Schaub and company would march down the field and on a 4th and 10, Schaub desperately heaves up a ball to the end zone where a waiting Andre Johnson hauls it in, over safety Reed Doughty. With the PAT, the score is now tied, 27-27. Once again, the Redskins go three and out and punt the ball. Fortunately the Texans do not convert and end the game on strategic non-punt fourth down play.
"Andre Johnson catches the game tying TD over Reed Doughty." Image courtesy of Evan Vucci, AP
OVERTIME!!!!I had no idea how this game was to end, but I loved every minute of it. The Texans win the toss, receive the ball first, and make their way down field. They get to the Redskins 34 but instead of trying a field goal, elect to punt it to the Redskins. Here I thought, what a gamble by Coach Kubiak. You practically are giving the Redskins their chance to win it. McNabb moves them down the field to the Texans 34 and set up for a 52 yard field goal try to win it. Just before the ball is snapped but unbeknownst to the crowd, Kubiak calls a timeout. Gano splits the uprights. Obviously, it does not count. In what is known as "icing the kicker" the opposing coach can legally call a timeout before the snap to psych out the kicker. Ironically enough, Shanahan is credited as the one of the first to ice kickers. Gano lines up for the second try, but kicks it wide right. No Good! Texans ball! This time, Schaub moves down further to the Redskins 18, setting up a sure thing in a 35 yard try. Rackers makes it in, wins it for the Texans. What a game!
"Gano being "iced". Note the ref on the left coming in to signal a time out has been called." Image courtesy of Optimus Cheung
I must give it to the Texans, a team so close to make it big the last two years in the AFC. They defeated the Colts last week and take one on the road against a formidable Redskins team. I have and will continue to root for them as my team in the AFC. As for the Redskins, I was disappointed but not upset at the outcome. Even the most blind of observers can say that the Redskins gave this one away. That is harder to stomach. Had the Redskins been down by 17 and come back and lose in overtime, I'd be much happier. Overall, it speaks volumes to how good McNabb is when he can still throw the way he does. Last night, he had over 400 yards passing, something that a Redskins QB rarely compiled in recent memory. My suspicions with the running game are very valid and very real as a potential downfall during the course of the season. Also, the defense is too inconsistent. While they can produce turnovers, they are still playing soft in the secondary giving up big yardage; Schaub had 497 yards passing. They sacked Schaub five times, but gave up way too many screen and middle of the field passes that resulted in 6-15 yard gains, usually resulting in first down conversions. There is still plenty to work on between games. But, this game did prove that the Redskins can go toe to toe with the best of them, and should compete in a rather defunct NFC East.
Next week, they head to St. Louis to play the Rams. This should be win, and for their sakes, it better be a double digit win.
