Washington Wins, Football Fans Lose

Neither team deserves a win after this effort

The numbers speak for themselves. Six interceptions, seven fumbles and nine turnovers between the teams marked the Redskins' 17-14 win over the Bears -- one of the sloppiest wins in recent history.

It happened to be a gorgeous day in Chicago. Neither the Redskins' Donovan McNabb nor the Bears' Jay Cutler could blame the sloppy play on precipitation.

After all, Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall was able to make plenty of catches. His four interceptions tied an NFL record for interceptions in a single game. Hell, Hall's four receptions were good enough to make him Cutler's second overall receiver for the game. Those four interceptions -- which all came during what must have been a demoralizing second half for Cutler -- were definitely good enough to tie an NFL record for interceptions in a game.

The pace was marked early on by an interception by Chicago's D.J. Moore, who returned a pass from McNabb 54 yards for a touchdown. But the Redskins responded quickly with a touchdown pass for McNabb.

Early on, 'Skins lineman Albert Haynesworth had a big impact. In his first game back after missing two Sundays following the death of his half-brother, he delivered a big sack against Cutler with nine minutes left in the first quarter. Former Lombardi Award–winning Longhorns linebacker Brian Orakpo -- who got two sacks in on the beleaguered Chicago quarterback -- contributed consistent outside pressure.

The Redskins' Graham Gano picked up a 46-year-old field goal to take a 10-7 lead. Washington's defense then folded as the Bears mustered an offensive drive for a touchdown. Such is the state of the Bears' offense: At one point, Chicago fans gave the team a standing ovation merely for making a first down. Of course, penalties against Washington contributed most of the yardage in that effort.

Bears tight-end Greg Olsen, who had no catches over the last three games, managed a few more receptions. But Cutler -- who suffered an astonishing nine sacks in the Bears' Oct. 3 loss against the New York Giants, a figure that practically put him on the endangered species list -- depended on wide received Johnny Knox throughout. Knox and DeAngelo Hall, that is.

Down in the third half, Washington nearly jeopardized the game with another interception by Moore for a touchdown -- but the play was called back on a dead ball penalty.

Hall put the game-winning score on the board in the third quarter with an interception he returned for 92 yards and the touchdown. The third and fourth interception in the fourth quarter were just gravy.

Washington's Gano missed a 37-yard field goal with a "thunk" as the ball struck the goal post. 'Skins fans will no doubt remember a happier outcome from his October 10 game-winning kick to the post versus Green Bay.

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