A Crack Backup Leads Redskins to 4th in a Row

Nasty weather couldn’t prevent Kent Graham from doing what he does best: torment the Denver Broncos.

Graham threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter as the Washington Redskins beat Denver, 17-10, Sunday, their fourth consecutive victory after opening the season with five losses.

Graham--who had two touchdown passes as the New York Giants upset the Broncos, 20-16, to ruin Denver’s bid for an undefeated season in the 14th game of the 1998 season--punished them again. He led the Redskins to all their points, replacing Tony Banks after he suffered a concussion late in the first half.

“That was quite a game too,” Graham said of his previous upset victory. “It was a whole different situation.

“I’m happy to be a part of this organization, to have great people around me. When you are thrown in the heat of the moment, you go back to your natural way of playing.

“The Broncos were bringing a lot of people up to the line and were daring us to throw the ball outside. We did that. The coaches did a great job of adjusting.”

Redskin Coach Marty Schottenheimer said he was “delighted with the play of Kent. An experienced guy like that gives you a sense of confidence. You know he’s not going to come unglued.”

Banks had to be carted off the field after being hit by defensive tackle Leon Lett while throwing a pass with 1:50 left in the half. Graham promptly completed three of three passes, setting up Brett Conway’s 48-yard field goal.

Following a Denver fumble late in the third quarter, Graham capped a 50-yard drive with a five-yard pass to Michael Westbrook for the tying touchdown with 14:18 remaining. Helped by a pass-interference penalty, the Redskins went 54 yards for the winning score, with Graham hitting tight end Zeron Flemister with a three-yard pass with 2:48 left.

Light rain that turned to snow in the second half contributed to a host of misplays. Washington finished with six fumbles, three of which it lost, and seven dropped passes. Denver had six fumbles, two of which were lost, and five drops.

The Broncos (5-5), their receiver corps depleted by injuries, played most of the second half in their end of the field. Rod Smith, the NFL’s leading receiver who was playing on a sprained right ankle, was held out for most of the second half.

“When Rod went out, we couldn’t make a play,” quarterback Brian Griese said.

Denver finished with only 10 first downs and 186 total yards--both season lows.

“Offensively, that was the worst performance I’ve ever seen in all my time in the NFL,” Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said.

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D.C. United

The Redskins may have salvaged their season by winning four games after an 0-5 start. Credit Washington’s streak to defense and Stephen Davis’ average of 108 yards rushing per win:

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Record 0-5 4-0 Pts. 6.4 24.0 Pts. allowed 28.8 14.8 Turnover ratio -4 +6 Sacks 1.0 2.3 First downs 9.2 18.0 Opp. first downs 23.0 16.5 Rush yards 77.2 147.5 Opp. rush yards 169.2 78.5

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Roy Jurgens