WEx: A long sigh at Mile High

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A long sigh at Mile High

By JOHN KEIM

http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2005/10/10/sports/redskins/001_all_skinsmain.txt

DENVER - They drove downfield in a steady rain, generating momentum and, finally points. Suddenly the Denver crowd, which had sensed victory long before, held its breath.

And then, on the two-point conversion, they exhaled.

Mark Brunell’s roll-out pass to his left, intended for David Patten, was tipped by linebacker Ian Gold, denying Washington a chance at victory.

Denver defeated Washington, 21-19 in front of 72,887 rain-soaked fans. The Redskins drop to 3-1; Denver improved to 4-1.

Brunell nearly led the game-tying drive. The Redskins, starting from their own 6-yard line late in the game, benefited from timely penalties and crucial catches. A defensive holding on fourth and 10 sustained the drive. And Brunell capped it with an 11-yard touchdown pass to H-back Chris Cooley with 1:09 remaining.

“We found a way to score, we were just two points short,” Redskins offensive lineman Randy Thomas said. “Things happen. We had opportunities. At the end a guy got lucky and tipped the ball.’’

The Redskins turned a blocked punt by Chris Clemons into a field goal. Washington took possession at the Denver 40, drove to the 18 and settled for a 35-yard Nick Novak field goal, cutting the deficit to 21-13.

Denver took a 21-10 lead when running back Tatum Bell ran around left end, slipped through a tackle from safety Matt Bowen along the sidelines, and sprinted for a 55-yard touchdown. The series was set up when Novak had his second field goal blocked in two weeks.

Novak tried to bat the ball but hit it right to Al Wilson, who returned it 16 yards to the Denver 40.

Washington never led in the game after Bell put Denver ahead with a 34-yard touchdown run on fourth and one. But the Redskins answered with a 72-yard drive.

Brunell capped the series with a two-yard touchdown pass to Mike Sellers, who lined up as a fullback on the play, for a first quarter score.

Denver took a 14-7 lead when receiver Ashley Lelie scored on a 5-yard fade route, outjumping reserve corner Ade Jimoh, pressed into action for an injured Shawn Springs, who hurt his shin.