SB Nation DC - Redskins Vs. Texans: Houston Rallies From 17-Point Deficit To Get 30-27 Overtime Win

Redskins Vs. Texans: Recapping Mike Shanahan's Post-Game Press Conference

2010-09-20T19:40:40Z

Mike Shanahan gave another typically tight-lipped post-game press conference today, one day after his Redskins blew a 27-10 lead in a 30-27 loss to the Houston Texans. Shanahan confirmed that a MRI on Trent Williams' injured knee turned up negative, and added that he'll know more about his status on Wednesday after he gets a chance to rest it.

"When I looked at film, I didn't think it would be too serious," Shanahan said.

If Williams can't go, Stephon Heyer would start, though it's unclear whether he'll replace Williams at left tackle or start at right tackle, with Jammal Brown sliding over to the left side.

Shanahan sounded like he had lots of confidence in Heyer's abilities. He said it's nice to have a backup like Heyer with experience playing both tackle positions, and he expects Heyer to get the job done if called upon.

Other notes:

Shanahan mostly sidestepped DeAngelo Hall's recent comments criticizing defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's gameplan on the game-tying touchdown by Andre Johnson. Shanahan said he wants all of his defensive backs to want to cover the best players, Hall included. He admitted he hadn't heard the context of Hall's comments. Maybe he would have answered differently if he did.
Shanahan also was asked about what it would mean to adopt Hall's ... erm ... suggestion and move him around the field instead of having him covering a side. He said there are negatives because many defensive backs are only good at playing one side, and it requires different technique to play both sides adeptly. The positives are that it offers a ton of flexibility, but it has to be the right player.
Shanahan was also asked about the big plays the defense gave up yesterday. "You're going to give up big plays in any defense when you get started. That's just the learning curve," he said.
Shanahan joked that he can't get mad at Gary Kubiak for calling the timeout to ice Graham Gano because it was a practice Shanahan himself started.
Shanahan was asked about the running game's struggles, and managed to respond in a typically confusing manner. He seemed concerned, but not overly so because the team is still moving the football. He would like the run game to improve, to be clear, but he's happy in general that the team was able to pass so successfully. He also thinks the running game isn't that far away. "You got to be hitting on all cylinders. Just a little bit off here or there, and all of a sudden, a 10-yard gain is a 2-3 yard game. That's what happened throughout the game." He added that "I like the direction we're headed. The running game wasn't there, but it didn't have to be."
Shanahan said he doesn't know about Albert Haynesworth's availability for next week.
Shanahan said Larry Johnson is still getting used to being a backup running back, especially because he used to be the kind of guy who got stronger as the game went on.
On the blocked field goal that ended up being costly late in the game, Shanahan said "we had a bust. We had someone not use the proper technique." That player was Fred Davis, though Shanahan didn't call him out by name.
Shanahan said the team will have a walk through this afternoon to go over yesterday's game one more time before moving on to the Rams.

Redskins Vs. Texans: Postgame Reactions From London Fletcher, DeAngelo Hall, Anthony Armstrong And LaRon Landry

2010-09-20T01:44:01Z

LANDOVER, MD

There were no happy Redskins in the locker room following their 30-27 overtime loss to the Houston Texans. It doesn't get any tougher to stomach than blowing a 17 point lead. However, the Redskins did just that when Neil Rackers hit the game winning 35-yard field goal in OT to complete the comeback for the Texans who were down 27-10 in the third quarter.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb passed for 426 yards, but it wasn't enough as the Redskins squandered a three score advantage and gave up 497 yards passing to Matt Schaub.

"They made plays on the ball and we had them in a couple fourth down situations and let them convert," said linebacker London Fletcher. "Good defense is a defense that makes the play-offs and wins championships; [we] can't allow that. We wasted a great offensive performance by Donovan [and] our team in general. You know, you give us 27 points; that's more than enough to win a football game. It's very tough because it's on us as a defense. We didn't get the job done today."

The Texans were able to get it done on a key fourth down late. With the game on the line and Houston down seven, Schaub threw up a jump ball for star receiver Andre Johnson. Johnson pulled it in over the outstretched Reed Doughty to tie the game and send it to overtime.

LaRon Landry, who had another strong performance with 11 tackles and a sack, expressed his frustration afterwards.

"It's a tough pill to swallow," Landry said. "We were up the whole game and blew it at the end. I wish it didn't happen, but we've got to move on."

It will be hard to shake this one off, but the Redskins travel west to St. Louis for a game against the Rams next Sunday. Sitting at 1-1, the players are aware they must stay focused and forget about today's nightmare.

"It's hard to come back, but at the same time it's a game," said DeAngelo Hall. "It is just one game, and we had this game won. It's not frustrating that we lost, it's frustrating that we had the game won and then lost. We just have to come in Monday, watch what we did wrong and try to correct those things."

Fletcher agreed wholeheartedly. "Come Wednesday, we have to be past this," he said. "It's just the nature of the NFL. We've got another game next Sunday. We've got to come in tomorrow, correct our mistakes, talk about it, and work on it in practice and go from there."

While the defense was at loss for words at what had happened, the offense was disappointed they couldn't score when it counted most.

"As an offense if they score 27 then we have to score 28," said receiver Anthony Armstrong. "We just feed off each other. They (the defense) can't really take full blame because we have to finish. There were times when we went down there and we have to score. It goes both ways."

The offense can certainly take away some positives, but when it comes down to it, the team as a whole was unable to come through in key situations. Be it the missed field goal in overtime, the blocked field goal in the second half, or Joey Galloway's dropped touchdown pass, the Redskins did just enough to blow what would have been a key, confidence building victory in just the second game of the Mike Shanahan era.

Redskins Vs. Texans: Houston Ices The Kicker - The Complete Video

2010-09-20T00:47:25Z

There was plenty of blame to go around in the Redskins' 30-27 loss to the Texans today. But if you choose to place the blame solely on Gary Kubiak, or on the NFL for allowing coaches to call timeouts from the sideline just before a play is called, here is some video to accompany your misery.

(Via @Jose3030)

Redskins Vs. Texans: Neil Rackers' 35-Yard Field Goal Gives Texans Comeback Victory

2010-09-19T23:42:21Z

The Redskins have had lots of heartbreaking losses over the past few years, but few compare to this one. After a 22-yard touchdown by Chris Cooley, the Redskins had a 27-10 lead late in the third quarter.

In the end, they lost the game, as a 35-yard field goal by Neil Rackers in overtime sealed a 30-27 comeback victory for the Texans.

The win was made possible after Redskins kicker Graham Gano missed a 52-yard field goal that would have given the Redskins the win. He had hit the field goal before, but the Texans called a timeout at the last second. The icing worked, as Gano pushed the second attempt wide right.

The Texans picked up a key first down on a short catch by Jacoby Jones, where he was able to get his hands under a low throw, and put themselves in position with a 28-yard pass to Joel Dreessen.

The Texans had tied the game on a 34-yard jump-ball pass to Andre Johnson on 4th and 10 with just over two minutes left to go in regulation. They received the ball first in overtime, but elected not to let Rackers attempt a 52-yard field goal.

There are certainly lots of Redskins that have some soul-searching to do after this loss. A 2-0 start would have truly gotten the Mike Shanahan era started with a bang. Instead, the Redskins are 1-1, with only one narrow victory in two home games under their belt.

Redskins Vs. Texans: After Texans Ice The Kicker, Graham Gano Misses In Overtime

2010-09-19T23:28:10Z

The Texans won the coin toss to start overtime and drove right down the field to the Washington 34-yard line. And while a 52-yard field goal would have been well within Neil Rackers' 55-yard range, Head Coach Gary Kubiak made the controversial decision to punt the ball away to the Redskins rather than attempting a long field goal.

Five minutes later, Mike Shanahan was faced with the same decision. He went the other way.

But it was Kubiak who made another call. He called a timeout from the sideline just before Graham Gano drilled a field goal from 52-yards. The Texans iced the kicker, and it worked. Gano missed the ensuing attempt, and overtime continued.

UPDATE: Redskins Vs. Texans: Trent Williams Down On Field With Knee Injury

2010-09-19T23:04:48Z

UPDATE: Williams has a sprained knee, according to Chris Russell of ESPN 980.

The Redskins' final drive has not gotten off to a good start. On second down, Donovan McNabb was sacked by Mario Williams, causing a third and long. Worse, prized rookie Trent Williams was injured on the play.

Williams fell backwards on the ground and was clutching his left knee for a long time. Two trainers came in to help Williams off the field, and the was undergoing stability tests on his knee. We will keep you posted on his status.

Redskins Vs. Texans: Andre Johnson Out Jumps Reed Doughty To Tie The Game At 27

2010-09-19T22:58:58Z

If this drive taught us anything, it's that Andre Johnson versus Reed Doughty isn't much of a matchup.

On a do-or-die play, Matt Schaub completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Johnson on fourth down. An incomplete pass would have all but ended the game with Washington holding on to a seven point lead with just over two minutes to play. Johnson hauled in the jump ball play, and we now have a tie game.

The Redskins had made three consecutive stops leading up to the touchdown pass, with London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo, and Phillip Buchanon each breaking up a pass.

Redskins Vs. Texans: Blocked Field Goal Attempt Leaves Redskins With Slim Lead

2010-09-19T22:43:12Z

The Redskins looked good to extend their lead back to two scores, but Graham Gano's field goal attempt was blocked by Bernard Pollard.

The drive by the Redskins included a 12-yard run by Clinton Portis. This was his longest run of the day, and a bit refreshing to see since he had been on the sideline with a wrist injury just moments ago.

Prior to the field goal attempt, the Redskins were one yard away from first and goal, but a false start penalty on Jammal Brown backed the team up five yards.

Fred Davis missed an opportunity to slow down Pollard on the block.