Washington, D.C. is known for many things — being the center of the nation’s politics,
home to cherry blossoms in the spring and dozens of museums. What it isn’t known
for is drawing the nation’s best athletes, and the Washington Redskins are no exception.
But last Sunday the team shocked everyone when they defeated the Jacksonville
Jaguars 16-13.
This season has been hard on the Skins, with quarterback Alex Smith breaking his leg home to cherry blossoms in the spring and dozens of museums. What it isn’t known
for is drawing the nation’s best athletes, and the Washington Redskins are no exception.
But last Sunday the team shocked everyone when they defeated the Jacksonville
Jaguars 16-13.
on November 18, three different quarterbacks playing over the past month and a season
of seven wins and seven losses, four of which came back to back. But In the final
moments of Sunday’s game, Dustin Hopkins kicked a 36-yard field goal to win the game
causing an eruption of emotion. Coach Jay Gruden smiled and Josh Johnson, a
quarterback who had never won a game he started in his 10-year NFL career, fell to
his knees.
of seven wins and seven losses, four of which came back to back. But In the final
moments of Sunday’s game, Dustin Hopkins kicked a 36-yard field goal to win the game
causing an eruption of emotion. Coach Jay Gruden smiled and Josh Johnson, a
quarterback who had never won a game he started in his 10-year NFL career, fell to
his knees.
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| Photo from Sports Logos |
Hopkin’s kick keeps the team’s playoff hopes alive. Going into Sunday they were a
half-game out of theconference’s last wild-card spot. The Jaguars garnered a seven
point lead early on and held it until late in the fourth quarter. In the third-down at the
40-yard line, Johnson threw the ball 33 yards to wide receiver Jamison Crowder. In just
four plays, the Redskins moved the ball another 27 yards. Johnson passed to tight end
Jeremy Sprinkle, who scored a touchdown, and Hopkins made the field goal for an
extra point, tying the game.
half-game out of theconference’s last wild-card spot. The Jaguars garnered a seven
point lead early on and held it until late in the fourth quarter. In the third-down at the
40-yard line, Johnson threw the ball 33 yards to wide receiver Jamison Crowder. In just
four plays, the Redskins moved the ball another 27 yards. Johnson passed to tight end
Jeremy Sprinkle, who scored a touchdown, and Hopkins made the field goal for an
extra point, tying the game.
Fabian Moreau, Washington’s defensive back, intercepted a pass bringing Washington
back to the 45-yard line. Six plays later the Redskins were within kicking distance of victory.
They took a chance on their new long snapper, Andrew East, who signed two days before,
after their regular snapper, Nick Sundber, went into reserve to a back injury. East snapped
the ball to Tress Way who set Hopkins up for the game winning kick.
They took a chance on their new long snapper, Andrew East, who signed two days before,
after their regular snapper, Nick Sundber, went into reserve to a back injury. East snapped
the ball to Tress Way who set Hopkins up for the game winning kick.
This victory may have begun on Thursday, according to linebacker Pernell McPhee, who
said there was a change in the team’s attitude after Thursday’s practice. He spoke to the
players that afternoon about having faith in their team and their goals. The change in the
Redskins from their four game losing streak to Sunday’s win was astonishing. In the past
five games, the defense had given up at least 400 yards in four of them - on Sunday they
kept the Jaguars from gaining 200 yards. For all those who counted the Redskins out, it
may be time to reconsider their odds. We'll see how things go Saturday against the
Tennessee Titans.
said there was a change in the team’s attitude after Thursday’s practice. He spoke to the
players that afternoon about having faith in their team and their goals. The change in the
Redskins from their four game losing streak to Sunday’s win was astonishing. In the past
five games, the defense had given up at least 400 yards in four of them - on Sunday they
kept the Jaguars from gaining 200 yards. For all those who counted the Redskins out, it
may be time to reconsider their odds. We'll see how things go Saturday against the
Tennessee Titans.
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