Redskins Emerge From NFC Least

Forget backing into the playoffs. The Washington Redskins are going into the postseason as the NFC East champions.

Larry Centers caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Brad Johnson in overtime as the Redskins rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers, 26-20, Sunday night.

Johnson completed 32 of 47 passes for 471 yards and two touchdowns, and was at his best at the end, helping the Redskins (9-6) make up a 20-10 fourth-quarter deficit and claim their first division crown since 1991, when they last went to the Super Bowl.

Washington’s game-winning drive began at its 22. Johnson went three for three, including a 25-yard pass to Skip Hicks to get the drive going. Three plays later, Johnson passed to Centers, who was wide open along the sideline, and he cruised into the end zone, jogging the final five yards for the deciding score.

Johnson’s passing yardage was an NFL season high, surpassing Jeff Garcia’s 437 yards for San Francisco against Cincinnati on Dec. 5.

The loss was the 10th in 11 games for San Francisco (4-11), playing its home finale in what could be Jerry Rice’s final appearance before the home crowd. The wide receiver, who caught his 1,200th career pass during the game, might become another salary cap casualty, according to General Manager Bill Walsh.

“Hopefully, I’ll be back,” Rice said. “It’s been a great career here. I’m not saying it’s going to end but if it does, life goes on.”

The 49ers’ Charlie Garner ran for 129 yards in 16 carries, but it wasn’t enough for the upset-minded 49ers, whose winning streak against the Redskins ended at seven games.

With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, San Francisco was driving toward the go-ahead score when rookie Terry Jackson fumbled and Anthony Cook recovered for Washington at its own 21.

But the Redskins were frustrated by a third-down sack of Johnson, and punted the ball with 18 seconds left. San Francisco ran one play before the game went into overtime.

Trailing 20-10, the Redskins’ Matt Stevens intercepted Garcia’s overthrown pass and returned it 10 yards to the San Francisco 30, setting up a field goal. Johnson tied the score, 20-20, on a one-yard sneak that capped a 67-yard drive with 3:28 left.