Redskins Eke Out Another Win

Redskins tie Giants for best NFC East record with OT win

This is the sound of a Redskins victory: thunk.

After a second-half performance in which the Redskins outplayed Green Bay, the Packers' Mason Crosby narrowly missed a game-winning field goal with just seven seconds left in the fourth when the ball bounced off the upright with a thunk.

It was the second of two missed field goals for Crosby, which opened up an opportunity for the Redskins to sneak out a win in overtime.

That's the second overtime victory for the Redskins at home. Following a LaRon Landry interception and two calls against the Packers -- one for holding and one for pass interference -- Graham Gano drilled a 33-yard field goal for the win.

A thrilling kick that split the uprights, it was the highlight of an otherwise ugly game.

Top Redskins draft pick Trent Williams was injured in a hail-mary throw to end regulation play, though he returned for one series during overtime. The other starting tackle, Jammal Brown, also suffered a knee injury that hampered the Redskins' offense. The Packers' tight end JerMichael Finley left the game during the first possession.

Packers linebacker leader Clay Matthews left the game in the third quarter with a cramp, but by that time 'Skins quarterback Donovan McNabb had suffered a game's worth of hits and hurries. The NFL sack leader was credited with 1.5 of the 5 sacks McNabb suffered today. Most Packers defenders got a look at him, and it showed in his diminished scramble in the second half.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers fared nearly as badly. The 'Skins improved defense dealt Rodgers four sacks and eight hits. The defense stymied the Packers in the fourth quarter, forcing three punts and a missed field goal over four possessions.

McNabb looked rough all game long. But his performance contributed as much to the Washington win as Gano's clutch field goal.

He finished, after all, with 357 yards and a 48-yard touchdown to Armstrong. The injury to Matthews freed up time and breathing room for McNabb in the pocket late in the game. The most explosive moment came early on, when McNabb fired a 52-yard reception to Santana Moss that set up a 26-yarder from Gano.

The Packers led early after a 71-yard run from Brandon Jackson put Rodgers in place for a goalline pass to Donald Lee for the touchdown. A 52-yard field goal by Crosby cemented the lead, though Gano was able to put Washington on the scoreboard -- just before Crosby returned the Packers' lead to 10.

Crosby and Gano both missed subsequent field goals. But Crosby missed more.

With the win, the Redskins tie the New York Giants for the lead in the NFC East -- a perch the Redskins have secured with one improbable win after another. Of the Redskins last five games, four of them have been decided in the final play of the game.

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