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Home , Antrel Rolle, Barry Cofield, Chase Blackburn, DeAngelo Hall, Football gods, Fred Davis (tight end)

TERPS’ WOES CONTINUE WITH HILLS INJURED, C1

EXPANDED COVERAGE, R4: Big day ends badly for Moss Adding injury to insult, Washington loses Davis to torn Achilles 27 23 GAMEDAY MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012 ☆ washingtontimes.com/sports/football

PRESTON KERES/SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES Giants Victor Cruz performs his celebration salsa dance Sunday a! er scoring a 77-yard with 1:13 to play. Cruz fi nished with seven catches for 131 yards and the game-deciding TD. THE LAST DANCE Complete game still elusive to Redskins EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. hat was no ordinary team the Washington Redskins cu! ed around Sunday to the tune of T480 yards — 248 rushing, 232 (net) passing. That was the , the defending champs, a club with one of the most fearsome defensive fronts in football. And the Redskins … well, I’ll let San- tana Moss say it: “O! ensively, we can do any- thing we want with the ball in his hands and with that guy in the backfi eld.” Anything to anybody — even to Jason Pierre- DAN Paul, Osi Umeny- DALY iora, and the gang. Moss was talk- PRESTON KERES/SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES ing, of course, about Robert Gri" n Washington defensive backs Josh Wilson (26), DeAngelo Hall (23) and Madieu Williams (41) could only watch as Cruz and the Giants negated the Redskins’ rally, which III and Alfred Morris, the Redskins’ included a 30-yard touchdown catch by Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (below) just 19 seconds earlier. twin rookie terrors. On a cloudless Sunday at MetLife Stadium, Gri" n and Morris nearly yin-ed and yang- ed the Giants into submission. RG3 Cruz strikes after Washington goes up with 1:32 left threw for 258 yards, completed more than 70 percent of his passes and BY RICH CAMPBELL What else could Gri" n have thought lofted a 30-yard touchdown pass to THE WASHINGTON TIMES after New York escaped with a 27-23 Moss with 1:32 left that should have victory following a frenetic series of been The Dagger but wasn’t. Morris, EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | Robert Grif- punches and counterpunches in the meanwhile, ran over and around the fi n III trudged o! the fi eld alone late fourth quarter? home team for 120 yards (and Robert, Sunday afternoon. All but one of his His brilliant 30-yard touchdown when he wasn’t running the option, Washington Redskins teammates had pass to Santana Moss put the Redskins carrying out fakes and otherwise disappeared into the locker room after ahead with 1:32 remaining. But only 19 making a nuisance of himself, tacked the New York Giants ripped out their seconds later, Giants quarterback Eli on 89 more rushing yards). collective heart in the cruelest fashion. Manning, owner of two Super Bowl It was beautiful to behold, this Gri" n lagged behind, and as a handful rings because of moments just like this, Redskins attack. It had the Giants’ of photographers captured his walk, he upstaged him with a 77-yard touchdown heads spinning — and their fans’ contemplated the latest painful lesson pass to Victor Cruz. stomachs churning. As Gri" n put of his rookie season. Victory for the Redskins became it: “I thought what we did kinda Leave it to Rex Grossman, that stead- defeat. First place in the NFC East be- stalemated them for a long time. They fast source of veteran-quarterbacking came last place. And they headed home didn’t know what was coming. We wisdom, to crystallize it for him. Life in wondering, again, how breakdowns in created confusion.” the NFL, Grossman told him, includes the secondary continue to outweigh To w h i c h B a r r y C o fi eld, the erst- wins when you should have lost and how Gri" n has galvanized their o! ense. while Giant, added, “I’m sure their losses in games you believe you should “Right now,” Gri" n said, “it’s kind of isn’t walking away feeling have won. hard to know what to think.” “This,” Gri" n said, “is a game that » see DALY | R2 CRAIG BISACRE/THE WASHINGTON TIMES we should have won.” » see REDSKINS | R2 R2 | REDSKINS ☆ R MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012 EXPANDED REDSKINS COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL

NOTEBOOK Morris runs for !"# yards, but sticks out BY STEPHEN WHYNO AND NATHAN FENNO Fletcher hurts hamstring vice president of o! ciating, tweeted his belief the THE WASHINGTON TIMES call was correct. was forced out of the game in EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | The New York Giants the third quarter when he felt something pull in Forbath confi dent had few answers for Washington’s rushing game his right hamstring. Sunday. Sprinkle in some variety with Robert The middle and defensive captain Kai Forbath insisted he wanted to stick around Gri! n III and add a heavy dose of Alfred Morris, did not return. a long time even given the Redskins’ recent revolv- and the Redskins racked up 248 yards. “I wanted to go out there in two-minute [de- ing door of kickers. “Having a dual-threat quarterback back in fense], but I couldn’t go out there and be me and Despite being short on a couple of kicko" s, the backfi eld defi nitely helps me. They can’t just play the way I was capable of playing or risk Forbath went 3 for 3 on fi eld goal attempts Sun- key on me alone,” Morris said. “So it’s defi nitely a further injuring it or also put our team at a dis- day, making from 20, 43 and 45 yards. He looked perfect marriage between both of us. We continue advantage because I couldn’t go,” Fletcher said. confi dent on every one. to perform good from the backfi eld … it can make Coach Mike Shanahan described Fletcher’s “That’s the only way to make them. When you it tough on defenses to stop us.” injury as a “slight hamstring strain,” but Fletcher start thinking about misses, that’s when you’re But after the 27-23 loss, that rushing perfor- was far from upbeat about it after the game. He going to miss,” Forbath said. “I tell myself before mance was secondary to a couple of lost has played in 231 consecutive games, the longest every kick, ‘I’ve made this kick a thousand times. by the rookies. And even though Morris’ fi rst of his active streak in the NFL. There’s no di" erence in doing them out there than NFL career didn’t lead to New York points, it stuck “We’ll see how things go; we’ll see how I feel it is in practice.’” out as what the rookie will take from this game. ROD LAMKEY JR./THE WASHINGTON TIMES tomorrow and the rest of the week,” Fletcher said. “I fumbled,” Morris said. “If I have anything to Redskins Alfred Morris’ fi rst fumble “It’s a long way to Sunday. I’ll get treatment, do Fan injured in escalator fall do about it, I’d never fumble again.” came on his 132nd carry. Still, the rookie rushed everything I can to get back on the fi eld.” Morris, who ran for a career-best 120 yards on for a career-best 120 yards on 22 carries in the New Jersey State Police say a man has been 22 carries, lost his fi rst fumble on his 132nd carry. New York Giants’ 27-23 win Sunday. Williams decries ‘B.S.’ penalty critically hurt after falling more than 20 feet from Soon after he lost control, the lesson from fullback an escalator as he exited MetLife Stadium after Darrel Young was simple. A third-quarter penalty on right Tyler the game. “I came to him on the sideline and I said, ‘It’s back: fumbling and [getting] my quarterback hit. Polumbus for a leg whip left one of his teammates Sgt. Adam Grossman says the 42-year-old man got to happen sometime. You’re still doing great,’” I defi nitely was upset about that, but I’m going to upset with the referees. The penalty sliced Morris’ was leaving the stadium in East Rutherford on Sun- Young said. “No one says anything when Chris do everything in my power not to have it happen 15-yard run into a 2-yard gain, and Morris fumbled day at around 4 p.m. when he fell over the side of Johnson ran for 2,000 yards when he fumbled. It’s again.” on the next play. the escalator. It’s not clear what caused him to fall. the game we live.” Fumbles from Morris and Gri! n aside, they “It was total B.S., but that’s what we’ve got to Grossman says the man fell about 21 feet and Morris explained that, when he coughed the found numerous holes in the defense and opened play with,” left tackle said. “The landed on a metal stage. ball up in Giants territory in the third quarter, he up space for the passing attack. refs aren’t perfect. We kind of beat ourselves, in The man was airlifted to Hackensack Univer- failed to secure it before trying to make a move. “The way Alfred runs, the way RG3 makes a sense.” sity Hospital and was in critical condition Sunday It’s not a mistake he wants to repeat. plays, I’m not surprised at all about the running Williams hesitated before delivering the last night. “It defi nitely does sting. I hate fumbling,” he game,” Young said. “We got some talent on this three words, as if he didn’t really believe them. Grossman said the investigation is ongoing. said. “That’s like my biggest pet peeve as a running team. We’ve got a lot of guys that can run.” Mike Pereira, the Fox analyst and former NFL ⦁ The Associated Press contributed to this report

GIANTS 27, REDSKINS 23 Washington 3 10 0 10—23 N.Y. Giants 0 13 0 14—27 First Quarter Was — FG Forbath 20, 2:13. Second Quarter NYG — A.Brown 1 run (Tynes kick), 12:41. Was — Moss 26 pass from Gri! n III (Forbath kick), 8:45. NYG — FG Tynes 27, 3:53. Was — FG Forbath 43, 1:49. NYG — FG Tynes 39, :02. Fourth Quarter NYG — Bradshaw 1 run (Tynes kick), 12:55. Was — FG Forbath 45, 5:21. Was — Moss 30 pass from Gri! n III (Forbath kick), 1:32. NYG — Cruz 77 pass from Manning (Tynes kick), 1:13. A — 81,352. Was NYFG First downs 24 22 Total Net Yards 480 393 ROD LAMKEY JR./THE WASHINGTON TIMES Rushes-yards 38-248 19-64 Redskins defenders Madieu Williams and DeAngelo Hall trail Victor Cruz into the end zone a" er the Giants receiver scored the game-winning touchdown. Passing 232 329 Punt Returns 2-13 0-0 They needed seven plays to score after “I’m pretty mad at the football gods Williams. It was , Sha- Kicko! Returns 1-17 4-106 REDSKINS Gri! n threw an on a pass for putting him in the NFC East,” Giants nahan said. Ret. 2-7 1-41 Comp-Att-Int 20-28-1 26-40-2 From page R1 intended for tight end Justin Tuck said. “To face Given the situation, the Redskins over the middle. Quarterback and re- that guy twice a year is going to be a could not a" ord to be beaten deep, yet Sacked-Yards Lost 3-26 1-8 This would have been an incredible ceiver said it was a miscommunication, headache. He takes away from your that’s exactly what happened. Neither Punts 1-33.0 3-40.0 win. The Redskins were one blown perhaps a consequence of Davis’ injury. enthusiasm for the game a little bit.” Wilson nor Williams o" ered insight Fumbles-Lost 5-3 0-0 coverage away from beating the de- Gri! n then lost a fumble on the The Redskins had new life. Three after the game. Penalties-Yards 7-55 3-30 fending Super Bowl champs in their next possession. He didn’t secure the plays later, Gri! n lobbed a touchdown “They made a play,” Williams said, Time of Possession 32:43 27:17 stadium, from overcoming Gri! n’s two ball after faking an inside hando" , and to Moss to put Washington ahead, 23-20. echoing Wilson’s quote. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS second-half turnovers, a lost fumble Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul Moss ran past rookie Jayron Gri! n had one last chance. He be- Washington, Morris by running back Alfred Morris and jarred it loose. The Redskins’ Superman Hosley down the seam. “Perfect throw,” lieved the Redskins would prevail, but RUSHING — 22-120, Gri! n III 9-89, Young 5-26, the season-ending left Achilles tendon apparently was stuck somewhere in a Moss said. “Perfect touch. Put it in the the magic ran out. A.Robinson 1-14, Paul 1-(minus tear tight end su" ered in the phone booth. air where I could run to it.” Moss fumbled at the Redskins’ 43- 1). N.Y. Giants, Bradshaw 12-43, fi rst quarter. But, oh, did he arrive just in time. “I saw one high safety, the safety yard line. He initially protected the ball A.Brown 5-17, Manning 2-4. Instead, they’re 3-4 and in last place. The Redskins were down to their rolled the other way, and I’ve got San- with two hands, but he lost it when he What transpired in the fi nal moments last breath, trailing 20-16 with 2:07 to tana Moss one-on-one against a rookie,” braced himself to hit the ground after PASSING — Washington, Gri! n was a microcosm of their season. Grif- play. On fourth-and-10 from their 23, Gri! n said. linebacker hit him. III 20-28-1-258. N.Y. Giants, fi n and the o" ense made enough plays Gri! n extended the play by rolling He grinned, aware of the irony in When the ride fi nally stopped, and Manning 26-40-2-337. to win, and the defense couldn’t hold left. Pierre-Paul chased him, but Gri! n him exploiting a rookie. the Redskins ended in a valley, Grif- RECEIVING — Washington, Hankerson the lead. juked free. And as he stood dangerously “I’m a rookie myself,” he said, “but fi n expressed pride that he put the 6-70, Paulsen 4-76, Moss 3-67, “That was a tough one,” coach Mike close to crossing the line of scrim- you have to take advantage of that.” team in position to win despite his two Morgan 2-16, Morris 2-10, F.Davis Shanahan said. mage, he zipped a 19-yard completion It was an epic comeback. And it was turnovers. 1-13, Young 1-6, Royster 1-0. N.Y. The fi nal 17 minutes of play were an to Paulsen. gone in 19 seconds. He fi nished speaking to reporters, Giants, Cruz 7-131, Bennett 5-79, up-and-down thrill ride with Gri! n at As soon as the play was over, you Manning redeemed himself from slipped a backpack over his shoulders Nicks 5-53, Bradshaw 4-22, Hixon the controls. The Giants broke a 13-13 tie knew it was one of those iconic RG3 two earlier interceptions. Cruz, from and pulled a suitcase behind him. He 3-32, A.Brown 1-17, Hynoski 1-3. early in the fourth quarter on Ahmad moments, a special display of his poise the right slot, ran past cornerback walked out of MetLife Stadium a little MISSED FIELD GOALS — None Bradshaw’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. and athleticism. Josh Wilson and free safety Madieu smarter and no less determined.

A loss like this makes you think. and Sunday it gave up the to him as a rookie anymore. quarter and is done for the season. DALY It makes you think of all the havoc Cruz even though he was supposed RG3 feels the same way. “I’m Achilles injuries, as we all know, are From page R1 Gri! n fi gures to wreak on the Giants to be double-covered. trying not to approach the game nothing to kid about. Will Fred Davis in years ahead. (You’d better believe Almost as telling as that break- like I’m a rookie,” he said. “I’m not ever be Fred Davis again? Heck, will like they played their best game. They they’re thinking about that in the down, though, was the unit’s inability giving myself excuses. … The team Fred Davis ever play for the Redskins were fortunate. We let it slip away.” New York locker room.) But it also to stop the Giants late in the game doesn’t look at me like I’m a rookie. again? (He’s on a one-year, franchise- Oh, yeah, that. Despite doing so serves as a reminder that RG3 needs when they had a third-and-15 at I try to hold myself accountable for player contract, remember.) And many things worth getting excited more help if he and the Redskins are the New York 12. , not everything.” if he doesn’t play for the Redskins about, the Redskins managed to lose going to be all they can be. And how looking to take any risks with a So naturally he beat himself up again, who exactly is RG3’s tight end the game, 27-23, when their second- long will it take that help to arrive? 20-16 lead, fl ipped a screen to Andre for throwing an interception in of the future? Certainly not Paulsen. ary went to sleep on a 77-yard TD This is a team, let’s not forget, Brown, and he picked up 17 yards to New York territory late in the third Yup, it was a swell day at the pass to Victor Cruz with 1:13 to go. with no fi rst-round pick the next two enable the Giants to retain posses- quarter. He was trying to hit Logan Meadowlands for Mike Shanahan’s It’s not easy to lose when you put years — thanks to the megatrade sion … and force the Redskins to Paulsen over the middle, but Paulsen club. They had the Super Bowl together scoring drives of 93, 80 and to acquire the Gri! n selection. It’s burn two timeouts before they got got held up in tra! c. (The pass champs on the ropes and could have 77 yards and punt just once. It’s not also a team with increasingly obvi- the ball back. Awful, just awful. went instead to strong safety Stevie gone home tied for fi rst in the NFC easy to lose when you gain as many ous holes, holes that won’t be easily Such is Gri! n’s lot in life. He Brown, who ran 41 yards to the East (and left the Giants in an 0-3 yards on the ground as the Redskins fi lled. The defense, minus Brian playing about as well as a rookie Washington 35 to set up a go-ahead division bind); but events, as they did. In fact, they hadn’t rushed for Orakpo (and secondarily, Adam quarterback has ever played, as well touchdown.) say, intervened. In the end, it was more than 225 yards in a losing e" ort Carriker), is an accident waiting to as most veteran can But here’s the thing: Gri! n was di! cult not to wonder: When will since 1959 (when they racked up 255 happen, and the secondary is a total play. Indeed, he’s been in so many having to rely on Paulsen because the Redskins be good enough to against the but mess. It was burned for three long end-of-game situations these fi rst Fred Davis, his top tight end, had turn defeats like this into victories? were beaten by two ). TD passes by Cincinnati (73, 48, 59), seven weeks that it’s hard to look at blown out his Achilles in the fi rst Sooner? Or later? MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012 ☆☆ R REDSKINS | R3

Top performers Saints QB : 377 yards, 4 TDs Bucs QB Josh Freeman: 420 yards, 3 TDs NFL WEEK 7 Titans RB Chris Johnson: 195 yards, 2 TDs

RAVENS Houston blows away depleted

BY KRISTIE RIEKEN Houston’s o! ense couldn’t do any- ASSOCIATED PRESS thing early. It was OK though as the defense got the Texans on the board. HOUSTON | Terrell Suggs was back, Connor Barwin took down Flacco in but the were no the end zone for his fi rst sack of the match for the without season and a safety to make it 3-2. Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb. The Texans started clicking on threw for two touch- o! ense on the next drive, but not downs, Arian Foster ran for two more without a small hiccup. Schaub badly and the defense had a score and added overthrew a wide-open Kevin Walter a safety to lead the Houston Texans to before fi nding Walter four plays later a 43-13 win over the Ravens on Sunday. for a 25-yard touchdown reception Suggs, an outside linebacker who to give Houston a 9-3 lead late in the was selected last season’s Defensive fi rst quarter. Player of the Year, played for the fi rst J.J. Watt tipped a pass on the fi rst time since surgery in May to repair play of the second quarter which a torn right Achilles tendon. But the Johnathan Joseph returned 52 yards defense wasn’t the same without star for a touchdown to extend Houston’s middle linebacker Lewis and top cor- lead to 16-3. nerback Webb, who were both placed Tipped balls were a problem all on the injured reserve during the week. day for Flacco. The Ravens gave up their most “That’s what they do,” Harbaugh points since a 44-20 loss to Indianapo- said. “They do a great job with that. lis in 2007, and Houston’s 43 points We worked on it all week, trying to get were the most in franchise history. their hands down and we were unable “We can’t come here and make to do it. It was a little disappointing.” mistakes like we made and expect to The Ravens were encouraged by be in the game,” safety said. the play of Suggs, who had four tackles But the problems weren’t limited to and a sack Sunday. the defense as the Ravens (5-2) lost to “It looked to me like he played Houston (6-1) for the fi rst time in seven really well,” Harbaugh said. “He was meetings. Joe Flacco was 21 of 43 for in probably surprisingly good foot- 147 yards with two interceptions, and ball shape for as little football as he’s Ray Rice was held to a season-low 42 played. It’s going to be a plus for us and yards rushing. he’s only going to get better.” “I’m not sure what to say about that Suggs was disappointed that his other than they got after us and they fi rst game back was such a lopsided beat us,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh defeat, but thinks the Ravens should said. “They played excellent, we did be encouraged with their 5-2 record not.” entering their bye week considering The Ravens led 3-0 in the fi rst quar- all the injuries they’ve had. ter after a 51-yard fi eld goal by rookie “We know we’ve got some work to Justin Tucker. It was his third of more do,” he said. “This is a very emotional than 50 yards this season, which is the time for us. Losing probably one of ASSOCIATED PRESS most in a season in team history. He the greatest middle in the Houston linebacker Whitney Mercilus celebrates a! er sacking Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco. " e Ravens lost 43-13, their made it four with a 54-yard fi eld goal game and losing your starting corner, most points allowed since a 44-20 loss to Indianapolis in 2007. " e Texans’ points were a franchise record. in the fourth quarter. that’s going to hurt.”

ROUNDUP NFL STANDINGS AMERICAN CONFERENCE Johnson comes alive; Titans outlast Bills EAST W L T PCT PF PA New England 4 3 0 .571 217 163 ASSOCIATED PRESS passed for three touchdowns and 3 3 0 .500 120 117 ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. | Chris Johnson Green Bay’s depleted defense clamped N.Y. Jets 3 4 0 .429 159 170 fi nally hit the gas. And Matt Has- down on the Rams. Bu! alo 3 4 0 .429 171 227 selbeck delivered in the clutch for a Randall Cobb caught two touch- SOUTH W L T PCT PF PA second straight week. down passes and Jordy Nelson had Houston 5 0 0 1.000 149 73 And together, they appear to have eight receptions for a season-best 122 Indianapolis 2 3 0 .400 100 145 the sputtering turned yards for the Packers. Tennessee 2 4 0 .333 114 204 in the right direction after capping a Jacksonville 1 4 0 .200 65 138 wild and wacky game with a thrilling Vikings 21, Cardinals 14 NORTH W L T PCT PF PA fi nish in a 35-34 win over the Bu! alo Baltimore 5 2 0 .714 174 161 Bills on Sunday. MINNEAPOLIS | ran Cincinnati 3 3 0 .500 149 163 Johnson got the Titans’ o! ense up for 153 yards and a fi rst-quarter touch- Pittsburgh 2 3 0 .400 116 115 and running with 195 yards rushing and down, and Minnesota survived an ugly Cleveland 1 6 0 .143 147 180 two touchdowns. Those scores came second half to hand the Cardinals their WEST W L T PCT PF PA during a wild fi rst quarter, in which third straight loss. Te n n e s s e e a n d B u ! alo scored three Percy Harvin caught Christian Denver 3 3 0 .500 170 138 San Diego 3 3 0 .500 148 137 TDs in a span of 30 seconds. Ponder’s only touchdown pass, but Oakland 2 4 0 .333 113 171 It was then up to Hasselbeck to se- Ponder threw an interception that led Kansas City 1 5 0 .167 104 183 cure the victory by hitting Nate Wash- to a second-quarter touchdown run by ington with a 15-yard touchdown pass LaRod Stephens-Howling. NATIONAL CONFERENCE on fourth down with 1:03 remaining. Ponder has seven turnovers in the EAST W L T PCT PF PA “It’s a great feeling,” Hasselbeck last three games; two of them were N.Y. Giants 5 2 0 .714 205 137 said. “To pull through once again in a turned into touchdowns last week at Philadelphia 3 3 0 .500 103 125 close game for our third win in a game Washington. Dallas 3 3 0 .500 113 133 that came down basically to the last Arizona’s John Skelton went 25 for Washington 3 4 0 .429 201 200 play was a great feeling.” 36 for 262 yards and two turnovers. Facing fourth-and-9, Hasselbeck SOUTH W L T PCT PF PA dropped a pass just over the shoulder Atlanta 6 0 0 1.000 171 113 ASSOCIATED PRESS Raiders 26, Jaguars 23 (OT) of Washington, who had a step on New Orleans 2 4 0 .333 176 182 Tampa Bay 2 4 0 .333 148 136 Justin Rogers in the end zone. Titans running back Chris Johnson dives in for the fi rst of his two touchdowns OAKLAND, CALIF. | Sebastian Jan- Carolina 1 5 0 .167 106 144 Sunday during the fi rst half of Tennessee’s win over the Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y. ikowski kicked a 40-yard fi eld goal Patriots 29, Jets 26 (OT) Johnson, who has struggled for much of the season, rushed for 195 yards on the day. after Cecil Shorts III fumbled on the NORTH W L T PCT PF PA opening possession of overtime and Chicago 4 1 0 .800 149 71 FOXBOROUGH, MASS. | Rob Ninkov- the Oakland Raiders rallied from 14 Minnesota 5 2 0 .714 167 131 ich recovered a fumble by Mark San- 3:25 remaining to help Dallas defeat the Saints bounty program and Drew points down in the second half. Green Bay 4 3 0 .571 184 155 chez after Stephen Gostkowski kicked Carolina. Brees threw for 377 yards and four threw one TD pass Detroit 2 3 0 .400 126 137 a 48-yard fi eld goal in overtime as New Trailing by one, led the touchdowns to pace a come-from- and ran for another to force overtime WEST W L T PCT PF PA England held on. Cowboys into fi eld goal range with a behind victory. for the Raiders before they won it after San Francisco 5 2 0 .714 165 100 The Patriots moved into sole pos- 10-play, 44-yard drive to send Dallas While it’s debatable how much Lammar Houston forced a fumble Arizona 4 3 0 .571 124 118 session of fi rst place in the AFC East. to its ninth consecutive regular-season Vilma’s return impacted the Saints de- that Joselio Hanson recovered at the Seattle 4 3 0 .571 116 106 The day started with all four teams victory over the Panthers. fense, the unit turned back two drives Jacksonville 21. St. Louis 3 4 0 .429 130 141 tied at 3-3, but the Jets and the Bu! alo On a fourth-and-1 at their 39, the near the end zone in the second half, After one play to center the ball, THURSDAY’S GAME Bills lost, while the Panthers caught Dallas’ defense including the fi nal three plays of the Janikowski came on to kick the win- San Francisco 13, Seattle 6 were idle. changing personnel and Cam New- game to preserve New Orleans’ second ning fi eld goal. Gostkowski tied the game with a ton quickly completed a pass for an straight win. SUNDAY’S GAMES 43-yard fi eld goal on the last play of apparent fi rst down. But o" cials ruled Brees extended his NFL record for Colts 17, Browns 13 Minnesota 21, Arizona 14 regulation. the Cowboys called timeout before consecutive games with at least one Green Bay 30, St. Louis 20 Houston 43, Baltimore 13 In overtime, each team gets the ball the snap. TD pass to 49, while leading long scor- INDIANAPOLIS | Andrew Luck be- N.Y. Giants 27, Washington 23 unless the fi rst team with it scores a On the ensuing play, Morris Clai- ing drives on four straight possessions came the fi rst Colts quarterback to run Dallas 19, Carolina 14 touchdown. So the Jets had a chance borne collided with receiver Louis to turn a 14-point defi cit into a 28-21 for two touchdowns in a game since New Orleans 35, Tampa Bay 28 after the Patriots managed just a fi eld Murphy before the ball arrived, but halftime lead. 1988, and Indianapolis (3-3) has already Indianapolis 17, Cleveland 13 goal. New York moved from its 15 to no fl ag was thrown. won one more game than it did in 2011. Tennessee 35, Bu! alo 34 its 40 before Sanchez lost the ball as Bailey added his fourth fi eld goal of Packers 30, Rams 20 Brandon Weeden threw for 247 Oakland 26, Jacksonville 23, OT he was being sacked and Ninkovich the game with 53 seconds left. yards and two touchdowns, but Trent New England 29, N.Y. Jets 26, OT recovered, ending the game. ST. LOUIS | and the Richardson, who tried to play through Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, late made themselves a rib cartilage injury, sat out the second Open: Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Saints 35, Bucs 28 Philadelphia, San Diego Cowboys 19, Panthers 14 right at home in St. Louis. half after running eight times for 8 TAMPA, FLA. | played Backed by a huge contingent of yards in the fi rst half. MONDAY’S GAMES CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Dan Bailey made for the fi rst time while appealing a cheeseheads who were every bit as The Browns have lost 11 straight Detroit at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. a go-ahead 28-yard fi eld goal with season-long suspension for his role in loud as the real home fans, Rodgers road games. R4 | REDSKINS ☆ ☆ R MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012 EXPANDED REDSKINS COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL

QUARTERS The Redskins’ strategy from the begin- ning Sunday should have been to keep the ball out of Eli Manning’s hands, and they 1 started o! strong on that front. After a fourth-and-1 false start by ex-Redskins lineman Sean Locklear derailed the Giants’ fi rst drive, Washington started at its own 5 and chewed up nearly the rest of the quarter on the way to a fi eld goal. Alfred Morris nearly topped his en- tire rushing total from a week ago on the drive, carrying 10 times for 46 yards. It sputtered at the end after a dubious illegal shift call on Fred Davis wiped out a TD and Davis was lost to an injury, but the ball control was impressive. A crisply played game continued into the half, with both teams moving the ball down the fi eld e! ectively for the most 2 part. Of course, both teams squandered opportunities in the red zone as well. The big- gest of those may have been Manning missing a wide-open Victor Cruz in the end zone on third down, leading the Giants to settle for a fi eld goal with 3:53 to go in the half. The Redskins followed that with two big runs — 28 yards by Robert Gri" n III followed by 30 from Morris — but had to take a fi eld goal when Justin Tuck sacked RG3 on third down.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Only one choice here, right? Eli Manning erased what had been a shaky a! ernoon by unleashing a 77-yard touchdown to Victor Cruz, who blew past Josh Wilson and Madieu ROD LAMKEY JR./THE WASHINGTON TIMES Williams for the game-clinching score with 1:13 le! . Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (89) reacts with disgust a! er his fumble is recovered by New York, sealing the Giants’ 27-23 win at MetLife Stadium. Moss scored two touchdowns on the day, the fi rst (below) coming from 26 yards out in the second quarter.

So much for that o! ensive e" ciency. Both teams sputtered out of halftime, GIANTS 27, REDSKINS 23 going punt-punt-fumble-interception- 3 interception on full possessions in the quarter. The most costly sequence for the Red- skins came midway through the period, when a Morris run to the Giants’ 13 was negated by For Moss, ecstasy then agony a leg-whip personal foul on Tyler Polumbus. That backed Washington up into a fi rst-and-23, people have said they don’t think he still has it. I, and Morris coughed up his fi rst career fumble Fumble on last drive for one, have seen it. I think he still has it and he on the next play. showed it right there.” The Redskins converted three fourth- comes after TD catch Of course, Eli Manning’s 77-yard touchdown down conversion attempts, most notably pass to Victor Cruz followed. Gri" n’s scramble-and-heave 19-yarder to BY NATHAN FENNO Moss, though, had another opportunity. Did the 4 Logan Paulsen that set up what Wash- THE WASHINGTON TIMES Giants score too quickly? The football rested on the ington hoped would be the winning touch- Redskins’ 32-yard line with 46 seconds left. Could down with 1:32 to go. Of course, that beautiful EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | In a slightly di! erent Gri" n conjure up another rally against a defense 30-yard RG3 toss to Santana Moss became a world, Santana Moss would face the bright TV he shredded for 347 total yards? The quarterback footnote after Manning’s stunning bomb. lights and microphones thrust inches from his zipped an 11-yard pass into Moss’ arms. He wrapped face and relive the happy instant when the game- the football with arms responsible for 655 catches. winning touchdown found his hands. Somehow, Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn Instead, Moss thrust the hands deep into his clawed the ball free. Moss hadn’t lost a fumble since pockets. The detritus of defeat surrounded him: 2010, when he handed over two fumbles. crumpled blue towels, empty water bottles, dis- All tackle Trent Williams saw was the football carded game programs, shards of training tape and — and comeback — on the ground. Hosley, the the urgency to leave MetLife Stadium. rookie Moss beat a few minutes earlier, scooped In the span of a few jarring minutes Sunday, CRAIG BISACRE/THE WASHINGTON TIMES up the ball. Williams hoped Moss’ knee was down. Moss went from hauling in a 30-yard touchdown So did running back Alfred Morris. That’s all they pass to losing a fumble on the last-ditch drive as III’s pass caught him in stride like something from had left. But Moss’ knee wasn’t down. The rally the New York Giants survived the Washington a quarterback instructional video. The touchdown ended and sent Giants supporters whooping back Redskins, 27-23. would do it. The touchdown had to. to their tailgates and New Jersey Transit trains and “It’s something,” the receiver said, “you don’t “We had the game pretty much in our grasp,” tour buses. want to be a part of.” said Moss, who caught four passes for 67 yards. After the cameras receded, Moss slipped In the midst of his 12th NFL season, Moss un- “Would I want it to happen a little di! erent? Yeah, through the locker room, arms covered by his derstands Sunday’s extremes better than most. He but when you’re fi ghting, anything can happen. blue-green sweater. The touchdown that gave the ROD LAMKEY JR./THE WASHINGTON TIMES tries not to get too high or low. Cliches beat back Sometimes you lose a fi ght. I just feel like a lost Redskins an oh-so-brief lead seemed far away. Quarterback Robert Gri" n III scrambles before the waves of cameras. He spoke in an even, gathered a fi ght.” Across the piled du! el bags and stacks of jerseys passing in the fourth quarter. Gri" n completed voice about a turn of events as appealing to him as A win came before the loss. Gri" n noticed Moss and overfl owing garbage cans stood Morris. Be- 20 of 28 passes for 258 yards. a dip in the nearby Hackensack River. one-on-one against a rookie. The opportunity was fore the season started, the rookie asked Moss to Yes, he felt badly about fumbling. Yes, he felt too enticing to pass up. Never mind that Moss’ ex- autograph a No. 89 jersey. Moss had always been good about the touchdown. tensive playing time came thanks to big-ticket free- his favorite Redskin. That last touchdown — his second of the after- agent Pierre Garcon’s lingering (and mysterious) “Santana has been great in this league for a long noon, with 1:32 remaining — stuck in his mind. Vic- foot injury. Never mind Moss’ 33 years, an age when time,” Morris said. “That won’t change. [Fumbles] NUMBERS tory over the defending Super Bowl champions felt most players move into their post-football careers. happen every week. RG3, , . 8: Consecutive games in which the Redskins like beating Giants rookie cornerback “I just want to give him a chance,” Gri" n said. You have to learn from it. Everyone makes mistakes.” have intercepted a pass — their longest streak by three steps on a seam route while Robert Gri" n “He told me he appreciates that because a lot of Even the veteran. since a nine-game run at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996 seasons 132: Carries this season for rookie running back Alfred Morris before his fi rst fumble, which came in the third quarter Sunday 6 for 6: Redskins fourth-down conversions Davis’ season ends with torn Achilles this season 248: Rushing yards for the Redskins, their BY STEPHEN WHYNO the type of player that he is. It’s my ninth consecutive game of at least 125 yards THE WASHINGTON TIMES job to kind of know everything that and their longest streak since doing so in 10 he knows in case something like this straight over the 1990-91 seasons EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | Fred Davis happens.” 9: Consecutive Redskins 100-yard rushing knew something was wrong. He The Redskins are expected to games by rookies after Morris hit 120 Sunday. thought it was just a cramp and tried sign veteran , accord- It was his third of the season, along with Robert to walk it o! . ing to multiple reports. Washington Gri" n III once this year and Roy Helu Jr. (three “I never had experienced that released Cooley, who holds the fran- times) and Evan Royster (twice) last season. before,” Davis said. “And then when chise record for most catches by a I knew I couldn’t walk for at least tight end, in August. The 30-year-old fi ve, 10 minutes, then I knew it was declined o! ers to sign with other something serious.” teams because he wants to play only The injury was a torn left Achil- for the Redskins. NEXT les tendon, which will sideline the “It’d help a lot,” Paul said. “If they REDSKINS AT STEELERS Washington Redskins tight end for do bring back Cooley, I think he can 1 P.M. SUNDAY, FOX the rest of the season. It’s a sig- come in a be a big infl uence on this ⦁ These aren’t your father’s nifi cant blow to the Redskins and to team and have a big impact.” Steelers. Or your uncle’s. Or Davis, who showed a commitment to Even with that possible option, even your older brother’s. rounding out his game beyond just not having Davis is a painful loss for The Steel Curtain has gone being a pass-catching threat. the Redskins. He was Gri" n’s top a bit soft this year with age “This whole camp was focus- CRAIG BISACRE/THE WASHINGTON TIMES target through the fi rst seven games, and injuries catching up to ing on that and just focusing on Redskins tight end Fred Davis, being greeted by quarterback Robert Gri" n and his work on route-running and Pittsburgh’s once-dominant all that stu! I wanted to get better III, will fi nish the season with 24 catches for 325 yards. blocking was paying o! . defense. The biggest hit has at. I knew that I could do it and “We’ve just got to kind of unfor- come from the loss of safety be one of the top tight ends in the tunately move forward and try to Troy Polamalu, who missed league,” Davis said, wearing a walk- stepped on his foot. but he’s also a great run blocker. Just replace him, I guess,” Paulsen said. his second straight game ing boot and standing with the aid The 26-year-old tried to hop o! a good guy to have out there on the Easier said than done. But team- Sunday night against the of crutches. “But when stu! like the fi eld but eventually needed as- fi eld with you. … He’ll be missed.” mates espoused plenty of confi dence Bengals with a nagging calf this happens, it [stinks]. You’ve just sistance to get to the sideline and On Sunday, Logan Paulsen and in Paulsen and Paul. injury. On the other side of the ball, running got to get better and get ready for was carted o! down the tunnel. His fi lled in. Paulsen came up “It’s huge, but we still have other backs Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman next year.” season ended with 24 catches for 325 with a career-high four catches for tight ends just as good with Niles also missed Sunday night’s game. The Steelers Davis tore the tendon late in the yards, and his injury leaves a gaping 76 yards, including a sideline grab and Logan, who played a great game do still have at quarterback fi rst quarter of Sunday’s 27-23 loss to hole to fi ll. on third and 17 that helped prolong today as well,” running back Alfred and a dynamic receiving corps led by Mike the New York Giants. He was run- “Losing Fred is huge. In my opin- a fourth-quarter drive. Morris said. “[Paulsen] stepped up in Wallace and Antonio Brown. Given that the ning a route in the end zone and felt ion, he’s a gamer,” quarterback Rob- “That’s why I’m on the team is time of injury. [It is] a big loss, but at Redskins’ biggest weakness is secondary play, something pop. He wasn’t sure if it ert Gri" n III said. “He shows up on for this moment,” Paulsen said. “You the same time we do have other guys the pressure is again likely to fall on RG3 and happened just from running on the game day. Not only does he catch the want to have Fred the entire time that are just as good that can get the the Washington o! ense to keep pace. turf at MetLife Stadium or if safety ball and is he great after the catch, and for the entire year because of job done.”