Mistakes, Miscues Doom Redskins' Chances For Win
Chris Errington, The Tampa Tribune, published 26 November 2007

As soon as his 49th and final pass left his hand Sunday, Jason Campbell knew he'd made a mistake. It was that kind of day for the Washington Redskins. Facing second-and-10 from the Tampa Bay 16 with 25 seconds remaining, Campbell's pass to Santana Moss in the back-right corner of the end zone was intercepted by cornerback Brian Kelly, ending Washington's final threat and one of its most frustrating days in years. Or, at least the past three weeks.

In consecutive crushing losses to the Eagles, Cowboys and Buccaneers by a combined 19 points, Campbell has thrown critical red-zone interceptions, ending scoring chances that could have changed the game's outcome. "I probably wanted to get more air under it," Campbell said of his final pass. "The guy Kelly made a great play to jump and get it, but that's one I wish I could have back."

Despite completing 30 passes, holding a 412-192 advantage in total yards and with a defense that held the Buccaneers without a first down during the second half, Washington's playoff chances were severely damaged in the 19-13 loss.

The main reason - six turnovers. "We put ourselves in such a hole with the turnovers. It's hard to understand why we'd do that to ourselves," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "When you lose like this, it's extremely tough. It takes a real toll on the football team."

For the third time in as many weeks, Washington came up short in a game it could have won. The list of self-inflicted wounds was enough to make some Redskins players laugh in disgust because of the damage to their playoff chances. At 5-6, Washington seemingly needs to win its remaining five games to have a realistic shot at making the NFC playoffs. "We felt before the game it was a must win-out situation for us," Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot said. "We need a win, period."

Added left guard Pete Kendall, "I hope everyone here recognizes our margin for error is slight."

The Redskins did themselves no favors right from the start Sunday. Moss lost control of a short Campbell pass on Washington's first play, leading to an Earnest Graham 1-yard touchdown run five minutes in and setting the tone for the rest of the game. The Redskins lost four fumbles during the first 19 minutes, all within their own 30-yard line, to help stake Tampa Bay to a 16-3 lead.

When it was over, Redskins players put the blame squarely on their own shoulders, especially the fourth-down play. Trailing 19-10 following a 39-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley on their first possession of the second half, Campbell hit Tampa's Reche Caldwell inches short of a first down at the Bucs' 4. Even with more than 17 minutes remaining, Gibbs passed up the field goal, electing to give the ball to Clinton Portis. The coach said later that Campbell has the option of handing the ball to Portis or sneaking it himself depending on the defense's alignment.

When Portis was stuffed for no gain by Derrick Brooks, the Redskins had wasted an opportunity they wouldn't see again. "On fourth-and-one, I don't care what the play is, we've got to make that," Portis said. "We can't give up a push in the backfield and I've got to find a way to get the first down. If we got a touchdown, then we win the game. It doesn't matter what the stats say, one team wins and one loses. It doesn't do you any good to have more talent if you don't win the games."