At 5-7 and with thoughts of Sean Taylor in their hearts and minds with every play, it wouldn't have been hard to see Joe Gibbs and the Washington Redskins just fold up shop and call it a season. Such as not been the case as the Redskins have played the past three weeks with a renewed vigor and purpose - almost as if the spirit of Sean is in them... In a must win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Redskins rose to the occasion again, jumping to a 22-0 halftime lead over the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, and then cruising in the second half to a 32-21 victory. Coming into the week, the Vikings had been one of the hottest teams in football, winning five straight games.
The Redskins defense opened the scoring in the first quarter, tacking Viking running back Tony Richardson in the end zone for a safety. Todd Collins threw touchdown passes to Chris Cooley and Santana Moss to make it 16-0 midway through the first half. Cliton Portis then threw a touchdown pass on an option play to Antawn Randle El late in the first half to make it a 22-0 Redskins margin.
Shane Suisham kicked a 26 yard field-goal just past midway through the third quarter to make it a 25-0 Redskins lead. A Tavaris Jackson two yard pass to tight-end Jim Kleinsasser gave the Vikings their first score of the game late in the third quarter to make it a 25-7 game. Jackson would score again with 10:18 to go in the fourth quarter on a six yard touchdown run to trim the margin to 25-14. The Redskins answered right back, driving the length of the field and closing the deal with a 13 yard Portis run to make it 32-14. Jackson scored again for the Vikings on a one year run just after the two minute warning to tally the final points of the game.
The Redskins now control their own destiny. A win over Dallas next week at RFK Stadium would give the Redskins second wild card spot in the NFC. The Cowboys figure to rest a lot of their regulars in the game as they locked up the #1 NFC seed today. Green Bay lost their chance to be the #1 seed in NFC as they were stunned by the Chicago Bears by a 35-7 score today at a snowy and windy Soldier Field. Even if the Redskins lose next week, they would still get in the playoffs if both the Vikings and Saints lose. For a team that was in mourning and seemingly out of the playoff race three weeks ago, it's certainly been an amazing turnaround for the Redskins.
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