Redskins Hitch Up Offense to Hostetler

A week to prepare made all the difference for Jeff Hostetler.

Hostetler, in his first start of the season, passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns Sunday to lead the Washington Redskins to a 38-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Washington (7-6-1) stayed one game behind the New York Giants in the NFC East heading into next week’s showdown at the Meadowlands.

“It feels good, but we’ve got to let this go,” said Cris Dishman, who intercepted Jake Plummer twice, and returned the second 29 yards for a touchdown. “We’ve still got two more games, the Giants and Philly. If we win the next two, we’re in the playoffs.”

Hostetler practiced with the starters this week, after starter Gus Frerotte broke his hip. Two weeks ago against the Giants, Hostetler threw three interceptions and lost a fumble after replacing Frerotte at halftime.

“Sometimes you can’t always control how things play out for a team,” Hostetler said. “But you can prepare and you can go out and give it everything you have, and that’s what I always try to do.”

With Arizona (3-11) trailing, 31-28, in the fourth quarter, Plummer was sacked by Marvcus Patton and fumbled at the Cardinal 22. Kenard Lang recovered for the Redskins.

Hostetler put the game out of reach with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Albert Connell with 4:17 remaining. The touchdown was set up by an 11-yard scramble by Hostetler.

Hostetler’s other scoring passes covered four yards to Larry Bowie and 23 yards to Henry Ellard.

Plummer was 19 of 38 passing for 337 yards and four touchdowns. Rob Moore caught touchdown passes of four, 29 and 47 yards, while Plummer and Chris Gedney teamed for a 37-yard scoring play.