Washington 20, New England 17

[ducks]

Washington 20, New England 17

Preview -Box Score -Recap


By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer
September 28, 2003


AP - Sep 28, 5:30 pm EDT
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LANDOVER, Md. (AP) -- The Washington Redskins thought they had taken over their game with New England with their first fumble recovery of the season.

They nearly blew it in the last two minutes.

Led by Champ Bailey , Washington's defense intercepted Tom Brady three times, while the Redskins were turnover-free as they had 28 rushes and threw just 22 passes in Sunday's 20-17 victory over the undermanned New England Patriots . The pass attempts were a new low in Steve Spurrier's year-and-a-quarter as head coach.

Leading 6-3 at halftime, the fumble recovery helped them open it to 20-3 in the third quarter. But two touchdown passes by Brady put the Patriots within three points with 2:10 to play.

The Redskins then mismanaged the clock, throwing two incomplete passes and committing three false-start penalties -- both by Pro Bowl tackle Chris Samuels .Laveranues Coles ' tough catch appeared to convert a third-and-16, but it was ruled incomplete after a video review.

Bryan Barker 's punt gave the Patriots the ball at Washington's 45 with 1:39 to go, and they drove to the 38 before Brady's fourth-and-3 pass was broken up by Ifeanyi Ohalete . That final pass came after coach Bill Belichick opted not to try to tie the game on what would have been a 55-yard attempt by Adam Vinatieri .

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The Redskins (3-1) have had all four of their games decided by three points or fewer.

The Patriots (2-2) played without nine opening-day starters, including three linebackers. Two offensive linemen made their first NFL starts, and Brady has been nursing a sore elbow.

The Redskins led 6-3 at the half, and then a big play by the defense turned the tide. Bailey, not fooled a bit when the ball was snapped directly to Kevin Faulk on a third-and-4, made the tackle in the backfield but was too busy celebrating to notice that he'd knocked the ball loose. Safety Matt Bowen saw it and cradled it just enough to keep it inbound before picking it up and falling in a pile inches from the goal line.

Ladell Betts scored on the next play, putting the Redskins up by 10. They later made it 20-3 on Rock Cartwright 's 3-yard run.

Patrick Ramsey , who threw just seven times in the second half, finished 10-for-22 for 147 yards.

Brady was 25-for-38 for 289 yards. He hit David Givens for a 29-yard score and Larry Centers for a 7-yard TD in the second half. link

[ducks]

will the eagles remain winless in their new home:Q


washington 3-1 (Road: 1-0) 4:15 pm EDT*
* Philadelphia 1-2 (Home: 0-2) FOX*

[SAmikeyp]

Gotta give your boys props, ducks. I was one of those who doubted Spurrier's ability to coach in the NFL. So far this season, he has proven me wrong. They should beat Philly.

[bigzak25]

It will be a tough as game in philly. I'm hoping to split with philly, but nothing would be better than getting the first win at the Lincoln Memorial.