Mike Shanahan who was born in the Chicago suburbs along with Donovan McNabb who was born in the city, brought hope to town by leading the Washington Redskins into Solider Field on Sunday.
WR Brandon Banks fumbled the opening kick but got the ball back, Anthony Armstrong and Chris Cooley dropped balls that hit them in the hands on back to back plays on the Redskins first series. The Bears offense had run six plays for -5 yards but they held a 7-0 lead, based on a 54 yard pick thrown by Donovan McNabb. Bears defensive end Israel Idonije tipped the ball and D.J. Moore grabbed out the air and returned it for the game’s first score.
McNabb hit Santana Moss on a 24-yard touchdown reception, capping a 72 yard drive and tie the score and Graham Gano converted a 46-yard field goal to put the Redskins ahead 10-7. The Redskins defense provided Donovan McNabb and the Redskins offense excellent field position though out the first half but this was about hope for the people of Chicago. That’s the only explanation for a 46 yard FG after starting series at the fifty yard line. Right before the half the defense gave more than hope to the Bears fans, they gave up on blitzing Cutler who had already been sacked twice (once by Albert Haynesworth and one that was split by Brian Orakpo and Vonnie Holiday). With no heavy blitz coming the Bears took to the air on a eight play 70 yard drive in which the only running play was when LB Brian Orakpo was flagged for lining up in the neutral zone (his second offside penalty in four plays), The Redskins trailed at halftime 14-10.
Then the Follies began, after marching from their own 23 yard line to the Redskins one yard line with five straight passes the Bears went back to the ground attack. On first and goal NT Albert Haynesworth leaped over the line and caught QB Jay Cutler trying to run a quarterback sneak to the right side, LB London Fletcher forced the ball loose and recovered the fumble. Three plays later McNabb threw another interception to DJ Moore and he also ran this one back for a touchdown (from 18 yards out). It was called no play because the Redskins were called for delay of game and kept the ball. McNabb had fumbled and recovered the ball on the previous play so the stage was set. The Redskins failed to pick up a first down and punted.
CB DeAngelo Hall picked off a Cutler pass intended for WR Devin Hester on the very next play.
Three plays later, McNabb threw a pass that WR Joey Galloway made no effort to get to or catch was intercepted by S Danieal Manning.
The Bears went on a 10 play 70 yard drive that resulted in DeAngelo Hall’s second interception of the quarter. Hall returned the interception 92 yards for a touchdown and the Redskins were back in the lead 17-14 .
The Bears next possession went 47 yards on seven plays before RB Matt Forte’s fumble was recovered by Adam Carriker at the Washington 35 yard line.
Five Plays later RB Robert Torain fumbled inside the Chicago 10 yard line, CB Charles Tillman recovered the loose ball and Cutler took over at the seven yard line.
After a incomplete pass to TE Greg Olsen, Jay Cutler found his favorite receiver DeAngelo Hall and his third pick of the day.
Gano had his 34 FG attempt hit the left upright to end a string of six consecutive possession that ended in some type of turnover.
Two possession later Cutler found DeAngelo Hall again for his NFL record tying fourth interception of the game.
The Redskins held on for a 17-14 win to go above .500 with a 4-3 record.
Game Notes:
– DeAngelo Hall tied an NFL single-game record with four interceptions.
– The Redskins sacked Bears quarterback Jay Cutler four times while forcing five turnovers.
– The Redskins have equaled their win total from last season and produce has many turnovers in seven games as the did all of last season
– The Redskins defense gave up 322 yards today which is 100 yards less than their season average.
– RB Ryan Torain gained 125 yards on 21 carries to be come the first Redskins running back to have back to back 100 yard games since 2008
– The Redskins had six fumbles but only lost one while the Bears had six turnovers in a game that featured a total of nine turnovers
– The Chicago Bears won the time of possession battle 30:48 to 29:12 and the Third Down Efficiency battle 20% (2 of 10) to 15% (2 of 15)
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall