RUN OFFENSE C-
With starting tackles Chris Samuels (torn triceps) and Jon Jansen (sprained knee) out, the Redskins struggled early to run the ball behind Stephon Heyer and Jason Fabini. Clinton Portis rallied but still had another subpar day. Mike Sellers was stopped twice and fumbled at the Cincinnati 1-yard line in the third quarter.
PASS OFFENSE C
Jason Campbell wasn’t really pressured early despite the new tackles, but his throws were generally off-target. Tight end Chris Cooley’s fumble led to the Bengals’ first score. Santana Moss made a great leaping catch on the 10-yard touchdown that finally got the Redskins on the scoreboard. Campbell shook off an apparent wrist injury.
RUN DEFENSE D+
Cedric Benson came in averaging just 3 yards a carry, but early against Washington he ran like the star he was supposed to be, averaging 6.6 yards on his first eight carries. Rocky McIntosh was benched for Alfred Fincher, but London Fletcher played well despite a sprained foot.
PASS DEFENSE C-
The combination of Fitzpatrick and Benson burned the Redskins for 79 yards on a screen pass. One-time Pro Bowl candidate Carlos Rogers followed that by getting beaten by Chris Henry for an easy touchdown. Rogers was not happy he did not play much. The rest of the secondary wasn’t good either.
SPECIAL TEAMS C
Moss’ 31-yard punt return started the comeback. Ryan Plackemeier’s first punt was a 59-yard beauty to the 5; he boomed a 62-yarder to end the third quarter. Rock Cartwright had three great returns, including a late 87-yarder. Shaun Suisham kicked off out of bounds twice.
COACHING F
This was a game the Redskins had to have against a team with nothing to play for, yet they were manhandled early and never caught up. Cincinnati’s touchdown less than five minutes in topped its output from the past two weeks combined. Jim Zorn’s job security has to be questioned now that the 6-2 start has spiraled into a 7-7 free fall.
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