Redskins Watch Season Vanish

A handful of Washington Redskins gathered around a television in a stadium luxury box Sunday and watched helplessly as their season came to an end.

The Redskins defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 35-32, but didn’t get the help they needed to make their first postseason appearance in five years.

Minnesota defeated Indianapolis in an early game, and the players and Coach Norv Turner watched the Detroit Lions defeat the New York Jets, 13-10, to clinch the NFC’s final berth.

“We got ourselves in this situation, and hopefully we’ll find a way to be in Week 16 next year and not have to rely on anybody,” Turner said.

Reflecting on a season full of disappointing games, most of the players felt the playoffs were lost long before Sunday.

“We lost to Baltimore at home, and we lost to St. Louis at home,” tackle Shar Pourdanesh said. “We were big favorites and didn’t show up to play.”

Still, the Redskins (8-7-1) had hope when the Jets had a first-and-goal in the fourth quarter. But Bryant Westbrook intercepted, though replays showed he juggled the ball out of bounds.

“I probably yelled at the TV on that one,” said Turner, a proponent of instant replay. “[Jet Coach] Bill Parcells may vote for instant replay next time.”

As for the Redskin victory, Darryl Pounds and Darrell Green returned a fumble and interception for touchdowns to give them a 14-0 first-quarter lead. Washington generated enough offense to hold off Philadelphia (6-9-1), which failed to win a road game this season.