Primetime Tussle
BALTIMORE (AP) -Given their uneven performance against the Baltimore Ravens, the Washington Redskins must be glad they don’t face their so-called rivals on a regular basis.
Ed Reed set up a touchdown with an interception and scored on a 22-yard fumble return, part of a stifling effort by the Baltimore defense in a 24-10 victory Sunday night.
With their seventh win in eight games, the Ravens (9-4) enhanced their stature in the wild-card race and remained one game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. Baltimore hosts the Steelers next Sunday.
Washington (7-6) has lost four of five. The Redskins trailed 17-0 before scoring twice in the fourth quarter after Baltimore turnovers, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Jason Campbell threw two interceptions and was sacked twice; Clinton Portis had only 32 yards rushing and lost a fumble; and Shaun Suisham missed a 48-yard field goal.
The teams play their home games only 32 miles apart, but this was only the fourth meeting between the Redskins and Ravens – the first in Baltimore. The Ravens hold a 3-1 lead in the series.
One reason for the Redskins’ success this season is ball security – Washington had only 12 turnovers and four interceptions through its first 12 games. But on the Redskins’ third play from scrimmage, Campbell was hit by Terrell Suggs while throwing the ball, and Reed picked off the pass at the Baltimore 45.
Joe Flacco promptly completed a 26-yard pass to Derrick Mason, and a 21-yard run by Ray Rice on a third-and-10 play led to an 8-yard touchdown run by Le’Ron McClain.
Washington’s third possession was as disastrous as the first. At the end of an 11-yard run, Portis had the ball stripped by Reed, who picked up the fumble and ran for a touchdown to make it 14-0 with less than 6 minutes elapsed. Redskins coach Jim Zorn insisted that Portis was down, but a replay upheld the ruling.
It was the 11th career touchdown for Reed, the second on a fumble return. The other was a 22-yarder against Washington in 2004.
Matt Stover kicked a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter to end a 14-play drive and make it 17-0, and it appeared the Ravens would coast to victory.
But Washington got a field goal after an interception by LaRon Landry, and DeAngelo Hall returned a fumble by Willis McGahee 13 yards to the Baltimore 30 to set up a fourth-down touchdown pass from Campbell to Antwaan Randle El with 10:17 left.
It was the first TD against the Ravens in 13 quarters and 46 possessions.
Baltimore then launched an 83-yard drive in which McClain ran 10 times for 43 yards before Flacco threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Mason.
Reed ended any hope the Redskins had with an interception just after the 2-minute warning.
Posted: 12/8/08 12:40 AM ET
