Redskins Climb Off the Floor : Lohmiller’s Kick Caps Rally in 27-24 Win Over Saints

The Washington Redskins were like a fighter out on his feet who somehow lands a knockout punch.

The Redskins were trailing by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but Chip Lohmiller kicked a 23-yard field goal with 47 seconds left Sunday to give Washington a 27-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

“I’ve got to feel a little like we came back from the dead,” Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs said.

Washington (6-4) trailed, 24-17, before driving 94 yards for the tying touchdown, an 8-yard pass from Williams to Ricky Sanders with 8:25 left. Then Williams moved Washington 64 yards to set up Lohmiller’s game-winner.

“Everyone else had played well and it was my turn to do the job,” Lohmiller said.

The Saints (7-3), whose 3 losses have come by a combined 6 points, almost forced the game into overtime, but Morten Andersen was just short on a 49-yard field goal attempt with 4 seconds remaining.

New Orleans, trying to win an NFL-record 11th straight road game, stayed tied with the Rams for the NFC West lead despite losing its second straight, while the Redskins stayed 1 game behind the New York Giants in the NFC East.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Saints receiver Eric Martin, who had 10 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. “We needed this win.”

The Saints had a chance to put the game away earlier in the final quarter, but Andersen had a 53-yard field goal attempt blocked by Monte Coleman. The Saints were in good field goal position, but were penalized 15 yards when Jim Dombrowski was called for a personal foul for taking a swing at Washington’s Dexter Manley.

Washington then launched its tying touchdown drive.

Williams hit 20 of 28 passes for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns.

New Orleans took a 21-17 lead in the third quarter when Buford Jordan picked up a fumble by teammate Rueben Mayes and scored from the 7.

Three plays after Jordan’s score, Gene Atkins intercepted a Williams pass and took it 40 yards to the Redskins’ 8, setting up a 19-yard field goal by Andersen that made it 24-17 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

The Saints took a 7-0 lead on Hebert’s 2-yard scoring pass to Martin, but the Redskins got even with on Williams’ 1-yard touchdown pass to Gary Clark.

Hebert came back with an 18-yard scoring strike to Robert Clark, but the Redskins got a 14-14 tie at halftime when Williams scored on a 1-yard bootleg.