Redskins Enjoy a Laugher

It’s hard to pick which was the more bizarre sight: 313-pound Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson rambling 88 yards for a touchdown, or Washington Redskin Coach Norv Turner sporting a dirty gold-glistening false tooth to celebrate a 26-point victory.

“This was a gift from Larry Centers for Halloween,” said Turner, who went from ashen-faced loser at Dallas a week ago to stand-up comedian after Sunday’s 48-22 victory over the Chicago Bears. “Sorry I was a little late. I was in a meeting with Mr. Snyder.”

Team owner Dan Snyder gave Turner a 40-minute earful immediately after the 38-20 loss to the Cowboys. This time, the owner was happy after a game in which all the breaks went Washington’s way, leaving the Bears with nothing but hard luck and a three-game losing streak.

Wilkinson, picking up a fumble after Marco Coleman hit Bear quarterback Shane Matthews, scored his first career touchdown, Stephen Davis rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and Brad Johnson competed 15 of 25 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns for the Redskins, who led, 45-0, in the third quarter and are averaging just under 35 points a game.

The Bears (3-5) came into the game giving up only 16.1 points a game and had 22 sacks. But they had no sacks against the Redskins (5-2)and gave up 376 yards.

The first two plays told the story. Chicago’s Walt Harris stepped in front of Centers and couldn’t quite make the catch on a would-be interception with nothing between him and the goal line. On the next play, with the Bears blitzing, Davis took a pitch to the right, cut back and ran 76 yards untouched for a touchdown.

Bear backup quarterback Cade McNown played the second half after Matthews aggravated a hamstring injury. McNown completed 23 of 40 passes for 272 yards and all three of the Bear touchdowns, but also had three interceptions.