Turner, Redskins Both Get Defensive

Indignant after one of the biggest victories of his coaching career, Norv Turner lashed out at those who have questioned the character, motivation and desire of his first-place Washington Redskins.

Sunday’s defense-led 23-13 victory over the New York Giants put the Redskins (6-4) alone at the top of the NFC East. It also broke a two-game losing streak that evoked comparisons to Turner’s teams that have collapsed in seasons past.

“You can criticize this group,” Turner said. “You can criticize me when we screw up. We call the wrong play sometimes. We go the wrong way sometimes. We drop the ball, we may get beat. But don’t challenge this group, their character, their ability to compete. . . . There are a lot of people that questioned whether this team could respond, and they did.”

Some of those people were the Giants (5-5), who were itching to avenge a 50-21 defeat in Week 2. New York’s defense played better this time, but the offense committed five turnovers and allowed four sacks against the league’s worst defense.

“All year, we get the same questions, we’re giving the same answers and we’re still making the same mistakes,” Giant running back Tiki Barber said. “We rely on the defense a little too much.”

The final turnover came when Kerry Collins fumbled the snap at the Redskin 27 as the Giants were driving to try to tie the game with 4:03 to play. Kenard Lang recovered, the final big play from a defense ranked worst in the league.

Collins, who was 13 for 21 for 221 yards with one interception, was in the game because Kent Graham suffered a concussion in the first half.