Skins.com:Redskins, Dolphins In A Nail-Biter

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Redskins, Dolphins In A Nail-Biter

11/23/2003

Fourth Quarter

Redskins 23

Dolphins 17

The Dolphins closed the gap on the Redskins lead with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ricky Williams. The score completed a 12-play, 71-yard drive and was engineered by Jay Fiedler, who replaced Brian Griese at quarterback on the drive.

On the next drive, Tim Hasselbeck completed two third-down passes, one on a 10-yard pass to Patrick Johnson and another on a 10-yard pass to Chad Morton. The latter beat a Miami blitz.

But Hasselbeck could not convert his third third-down play on the drive, getting sacked at Washington's 43-yard line by Jason Taylor.

Third Quarter

The Redskins increased their lead in the third quarter to 23-10 on a 22-yard field goal by John Hall. Washington controlled the clock in the quarter and later capitalized on a muffed punt by Kendall Newson at the Dolphins' 16-yard line. Zeron Flemister recovered the fumble.

Tim Hasselbeck completed an 11-yard pass to Chad Morton, who has been a key part of the Redskins' game plan, but the drive stalled and Hall converted on his field goal.

The Redskins had possession of the ball for nearly 12 minutes in the quarter.

Miami head coach Dave Wannstedt sent in Jay Fiedler to take over for Brian Griese at quarterback. Fiedler, normally the starter, is playing with a sprained knee.

Second Quarter

The Redskins held a 10-point edge over Miami at halftime, with the offense led by the efficient passing of Tim Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck replaced injured starter Patrick Ramsey in the first quarter and was 11-of-14 for 106 yards in an impressive performance. Late in the second quarter, the Redskins took a commanding lead with a 2-yard touchdown run by Trung Canidate, completing a 12-play, 80-yard drive. The score represented the third consecutive drive that Hasselbeck led the Redskins to points since he entered the game.

Also on the drive, Washington was led by a strong running Canidate and Chad Morton. Canidate had an 11-yard scamper and Morton broke free for a 27-yard gainer to put the Redskins in scoring position. Tim Hasselbeck also added a key 11-yard run for a first down.

Left tackle Chris Samuels sprained his right knee and went into the locker room for further examination. He was replaced by Brandon Winey. Also, Taylor Jacobs suffered a knee sprain in the game and his return to the game was questionable.

Earlier in the second quarter, Laveranues Coles caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Tim Hasselbeck to give the Redskins their first lead of the game. Coles, in single coverage, ran a post pattern and caught the pass in stride just as he crossed the goal line. It was Coles' fourth score of the year.

The score completed an impressive 5-play, 61-yard drive led by Hasselbeck, who was 4-of-4 for 59 yards on the drive.

First Quarter Update

John Hall kicked his second field goal of the game to pull the Redskins within one point of Miami late in the first quarter. Tim Hasselbeck led the Redskins on a 11-play, 43-yard drive and was aided by the running of Trung Canidate and Chad Morton.

Hasselbeck, who was 3-of-6 for 25 yards on the drive, replaced Ramsey after the second-year quarterback appeared to injure his shoulder on a hard sack during the Redskins' previous drive. Ramsey was throwing on the sidelines later and initial reports indicated he may return to the game. But with Hasselbeck playing well, it appears that Steve Spurrier wants to stick with the hot hand.

Earlier, John Hall kicked a 28-yard field goal to get the Redskins on the scoreboard. The score was set up by a David Terrell interception midway through the first quarter.

Terrell intercepted a Brian Griese pass that was tipped by LaVar Arrington and returned the ball to the Dolphins' 8-yard line. But the Dolphins' defense clamped down and forced the Redskins into the field goal.

On the third-down play, Ramsey was sacked by Jason Taylor for a 4-yard loss. At the same time, Jay Williams also landed on Ramsey, adding to the hit. Ramsey landed hard on his shoulder and was helped off the field.

The Redskins were able to get their share of pressure on Griese. Renaldo Wynn and Bruce Smith shared a sack of Griese, giving Smith his 198th career sack tying him for a NFL record with Reggie White.

Bernard Holsey took advantage of a pair of inexperienced Miami guards and recorded a key sack to help stymie a drive.

Miami entered the game struggling on offense, but used a quick strike to jump ahead of the Redskins. Facing a third-and-one at their own 20-yard line on the opening drive, Griese floated a pass in the flat to McKnight, who was covered by David Terrell.

McKnight caught the ball and turned upfield, racing down the sideline. Safety Matt Bowen took a bad angle and McKnight sped past him and Champ Bailey into the end zone for a quick seven points.