TAMPA – The Redskins were understandably giddy over their wild-card victory over the Bucs Saturday afternoon, but among the offensive unit it was a bittersweet celebration.
Advancing to Sunday’s divisional playoff game was the objective, but it was tough to feel totally satisfied after earning only 120 net yards in their 17-10 triumph over Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium.
Had the Redskins’ defense not returned a fumble for a touchdown and set up another score with an interception, Washington’s season would be over. Instead, the offense has a chance to redeem itself in Seattle, where the top-seeded Seahawks await rested from a bye week.
“They’re some elements from every win that you can take from it and be very positive about it,” said guard Ray Brown. “But at the same time we know we’ve got to play better offensively to continue in this tournament.”
The Redskins’ net yardage was the lowest output ever by a team to win a playoff game and the ninth lowest of all-time. Still Washington managed its sixth straight victory, thanks to a defense that limited the Bucs to 243 yards and, more importantly, intercepted two passes and returned a fumble for a critical touchdown.
A LaVar Arrington interception gave the Redskins the ball at the Bucs’ 6 in the first quarter. Clinton Portis scored from there. And four minutes later, the Bucs second touchdown came on a 51-yard fumble return by safety Sean Taylor. Washington’s only other score came on a 47-yard field goal by John Hall in the second quarter.
Statistically, Portis, who had rushed for more than 100 yards five straight games, managed just 53 yards on 16 carries, while quarterback Mark Brunell completed just 7 of 15 passes for 41 yards. His quarterback rating was a paltry 25.7.
“I was telling someone earlier to get a [win] in the playoffs, particularly on the road, you don’t really care about numbers,” Brunell said. “You don’t care how pretty it is, or how effective you were on offense. To get a win is huge. You are on the road, in the playoffs, against a very good defense, we will take it.”
The Bucs were rated the top-defense in the NFL and played up to that standard, eliminating the Redskins’ running game and blanketing receivers. This game was far different than when the two teams played on Nov. 13 and combined for 729 total yards in the Bucs’ 36-35 win.
“Our guys on offense were giving it everything we had,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. “We tried a little bit of everything and we couldn’t get anything to work. You have to give Tampa Bay credit. The first time around here, we got quite a few yards. I was concerned coming back because I think they’ve got a lot of pride and they’re No. 1 on defense because they’re real good. I give them all the credit in the world.”
Santana Moss, the Redskins’ big-play receiver, was virtually a non-factor, making just two catches for 18 yards. That led all Redskin receivers.
“When we threw the ball, I was not singled up. I was doubled and tripled,” he said. “I saw one dude had his cousin on the field and his auntie waiting in the end zone. All we could do is do enough to win.”
The Redskins (11-6) did enough to win, but know they’ll need to do more against the Seahawks, who have more offensive weapons than the Bucs, including the NFL’s MVP in running back Shaun Alexander.
“We’re not going to go there and do the same thing again,” Moss said. “We know we can play football. We just have to win. That’s all that matters.”