Jaguars Playoff Hopes Dim, as Grossman Returns to the Swamp to Lead Washington to Victory!

The Washington Redskins traveled down to Jacksonville on Sunday to take on a playoff hungry Jaguars team. The Jags needed a victory to keep pace with Indianapolis in the AFC South, as Rex Grossman returned to play where he had found his most success, playing for the Florida Gators right up the street. Grossman prevailed in his return as he lead the Redskins 20-17 past the suddenly reeling Jaguars, losers of two straight after winning five of their past six. The game needed an extra period but it did not take long, when David Garrard threw a devastating interception on the third play of overtime, setting up the Graham Gano game winning 31 yard field goal.

Jacksonville was limited to playing the game without their perennial all-pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who was out with a leg injury. This loss was visible as the Jaguars could not get anything going on the ground with Rashad Jennings getting the bulk of the carries with 15 gaining only 32 yards. David Garrard led the team with 39 yards rushing on six carries, with 20 of those yards coming on a touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17.

The Redskins did not get much on the ground as well, but Ryan Torain provided just enough to keep the defense off balance, gaining 65 yards on 20 carries, and a one yard touchdown that would put the Redskins up 17-10, early in the fourth quarter. The touchdown was gained on a fourth and one, as Mike Shanahan opted to go for it over a field goal with the game tied in the fourth quarter. This decision paid off when Torain hit pay dirt and avoided having to settle for only three points.

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Rex Grossman fared moderately in his return to the swamp, managing the game for 182 yards and a touchdown on 19 completions. Santana Moss lead the way with 85 yards on five catches on the day. Grossman also threw one costly interception to second year corner Derek Cox out of William & Mary near the end of the first half, while in the red zone. Cox’s interception would be reviewed as he appeared to have duel control with the Redskin receiver, while falling out of the end zone. The replay both showed that the call was correct and the Jaguars were rewarded the ball at their 20 yard line. This prevented the Redskins from possibly adding to their lead going into halftime, but instead went into the locker room with the score 10-7.

The Redskins jumped out early in the game when the Graham Gano struck with a 48 yard field goal. Grossman than hit Fred Davis on a one yard touchdown pass following Garrard’s first interception of the game to Carlos Rogers, putting Washington up 10-0 six minutes into the game.

Garrard responded on the Jaguars first drive of the second quarter as he lead the team down the field and hit Mike Thomas for a 19 yard strike into the end zone. Mike Thomas was Garrard’s top target catching six balls for 96 yards and the touchdown. Garrard finished the game with 299 yards on 22 of 38 passes with the touchdown and two interceptions.

Kevin Barnes was the recipient of the interception in Overtime, as he jumped in front of the ball that set up the game winning field goal. Graham Gano finally got redemption for the few blunders this season, as he won the game for a team desperately needing a victory. This game showed how there is still pride on this team as the Redskins hindered the Jaguars playoff hopes.

Jacksonville can still make the playoffs with a win next Sunday, but also need the Colts to loose to Tennessee for them get in, and this coupled with several other playoff scenarios has us headed into a wild final week of the regular season next Sunday.

By Jason Stein
ProFootball-fans.com Washington Redskins Correspondent