Victory Is Difficult for Redskins to Handle

This victory was so ugly, the Washington Redskins didn’t know what to think of it.

The NFC East-leading Redskins blew a 14-point lead against the struggling Philadelphia Eagles, missed a field-goal kick on the last play of regulation and had an aborted field-goal attempt in overtime. They finally won, 20-17, on Brett Conway’s 27-yard field goal 4:34 into the extra period Sunday.

“There’s a little disappointment,” guard Tre’ Johnson said. “I’m glad to walk away with the W, but we could play a lot better.”

Perhaps there’s a rule mandating that the Redskins (7-4) and Eagles (3-9) play close games. Fifteen of their last 17 games have been decided by seven points or less, including a 35-28 Philadelphia victory two weeks ago. The teams have alternated victories since the start of the 1996 season.

How else to explain how rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb, who had struggled for 10 quarters since becoming the Eagle starter, could lead two 91-yard touchdown drives after his team trailed 17-3? And what possibly could have made Conway slice an easy 28-yarder wide right on the last play of regulation?

Conway got another chance after James Thrash’s 48-yard kickoff return to start the overtime period, but not without more drama. Conway was set to try a 20-yarder, but holder Brad Johnson mishandled the snap and fell on the ball. Conway got another chance only because the gaffe happened on third down.

The Redskins needed two fortunate deflections on both of their first-half scoring plays. Conway’s 43-yard field goal hit the left upright before going through, and Brad Johnson’s short pass into heavy coverage was deflected and bounced off Stephen Alexander’s chest before teammate Mike Sellers grabbed it for a touchdown.