Redskins waste opportunities

It was payback time. With 1:09 left in the game Stephen Davis, the former Redskin now playing with the Carolina Panthers, scored the game-winning touchdown in the Panthers' 20-17 come-from-behind defeat of the Redskins on Sunday, November 16, 2003.

Although the Panthers required a late fourth quarter touchdown drive to earn the victory, they outplayed the struggling Redskins. The ineffective Redskins were able to only convert three points on four Panther's turnovers. The Redskins got an early fumble recovery when the ball was jarred loose from the grasp of Davis, but the Redskins turned the ball back over on the ensuing drive. The Panthers dominated most of the game, but missed two field goals and were not highly effective on offense.

In the dismal first half, Washington had only 41 yards of total offense. Quarterback Patrick Ramsey was pressured intensely early on and stellar wide receiver Laveranues Coles barely touched the ball.

The Redskins luck from last week was reversed as Carolina converted on 4th and one with a 25 yard run by Davis in their game-winning 4th quarter drive. Carolina again showed their ability to win close games, while the Redskins displayed their ineffectiveness.

Ramsey and the Redskins offense came alive in the fourth quarter and scored 14 points, but it was not enough to hold onto the lead. Finally, Ramsey got some more protection and had time to complete passes to his wide receivers. Ramsey was sacked three times during the game and took some additional hard hits. At times the offensive line left Ramsey wide open for hits. That aside, Ramsey needs work on his scrambling ability.

Meanwhile, Rock Cartwright established himself as the number-one running back for the Redskins; sadly, he needed only 32 yards rushing to do this. Davis outplayed his old team with 28 rushes for 98 yards. Even if Davis says the game was not about revenge, he had to relish beating the team that got rid of him.

The Redskins defense had a solid game, with two fumbles forced and two interceptions. Also, Davis was contained in the first half and Champ Bailey was all over Carolina's standout wide receiver Steve Smith. However, Carolina wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad rocked the Redskins' secondary for 189 yards in nine catches and in the clutch, the defense was unable to stop Carolina.

If the Redskins want to compete with the best teams in the NFL they have to protect Ramsey, get big plays from their wide receivers and play hard defense. However, with the Redskins record at 4-6 playoff hopes are looking grim.