Hill, Oilers Get Drop on the Redskins, 41-17

L.A. Times Archives

Oct. 31, 1988 12 AM PT

<i> From Times Wire Services </i>

HOUSTON —

Before Drew Hill’s case of the drops became critical, Warren Moon got him over it.

Moon threw 3 touchdown passes to Hill and the Houston Oilers forced 6 turnovers in a 41-17 rout of the Washington Redskins Sunday night.

Hill, who dropped a catchable ball in the end zone last week in a loss to Cincinnati, scored on pass plays of 22, 33 and 11 yards from Moon. His first touchdown came 2 plays after another drop in the end zone.

“A drop is a drop, it was at the tip of the end zone but I should have had it,” said Hill, who had 9 catches for 148 yards. “But I came back and made some big plays. It was a good game against a Super Bowl team. They called my number a lot today. I think Warren was looking for me.”

The victory moved the Oilers (6-3) to within 1 game of Cincinnati in the AFC Central and kept them even with Cleveland heading into next week’s game with the Browns. The Redskins (5-4) had a 3-game winning streak snapped and fell 1 game behind the New York Giants in the NFC East.

The Oilers’ defense recovered 5 fumbles and intercepted a pass by Doug Williams. Defensive end Ray Childress recovered 3 of the fumbles, including 2 by Williams, who was also sacked 3 times. Four of the turnovers set up Houston touchdowns.

“When you play against a team like the Redskins, you really have to go after them,” Oilers defensive end Sean Jones said. “We have to take care of business 1 week at a time.”

The Oilers held the Redskins to 29 yards rushing and slowed down Washington’s passing attack.

Moon’s first 2 scoring passes to Hill and Moon’s 3-yard scoring run staked the Oilers to a 24-3 lead at halftime.

The Redskins got within 24-10 on Timmy Smith’s 1-yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter, but Moon and Hill hooked up again to make it 31-10 and Allen Pinkett ran 16 yards for a touchdown with 5:35 left.

The Redskins closed out the scoring with 1:34 left when backup quarterback Mark Rypien hit Keith Griffin with a 4th-down 4-yard touchdown pass.

Moon completed 16 of 30 passes for 192 yards.