ATLANTA | Somehow within striking distance of the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at the Georgia Dome, the old problems resurfaced for the Washington Redskins.
Allowing big plays.
Not protecting the quarterback.
Falling victim to injuries.
The Redskins dug themselves a 21-point hole during an embarrassing first half only to draw within a touchdown with 13:05 remaining.
But Michael Turner’s 58-yard touchdown run and a second injury to Jason Campbell extinguished the Redskins’ hopes as they lost to Atlanta 31-17. It was Washington’s fourth consecutive defeat.
Down 24-3 at halftime with as many offensive yards as penalty yards (69), the Redskins turned in their most impressive quarter-plus of the year.
The Redskins got back in the game with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that consumed the opening 7:50 of the second half and was capped by Ladell Betts’ 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal.
Following an Atlanta three-and-out, the Redskins held the ball for 6:50, traveling 81 yards on 13 plays and drawing within a touchdown on Campbell’s back-of-the-end-zone, 3-yard touchdown pass to Todd Yoder that was upheld after Atlanta’s challenge.
The Redskins played the second half without running back Clinton Portis, who suffered a first-quarter concussion. Campbell also missed a play in the second quarter after hurting his chest on Atlanta’s fifth sack of the half (which tied a franchise record for a first half).
Turner’s run — his second of the game (he earlier went for 33 yards) — made it 31-17 with 11:23 remaining. The brutal day of Redskins safety LaRon Landry concluded with a woefully missed tackle near midfield that allowed Turner to get off to the races.
The Falcons scored on touchdown plays of 2, 62, 33 and 58 yards. Turner rushed 18 times for 166 yards.
Campbell was 15-for-22 for 196 yards.
The 2-6 start is the worst in Dan Snyder’s tenure as owner.
The first half was all about Atlanta scoring and the Redskins melting down.
Atlanta took the opening kickoff and marched 74 yards on 10 snaps. Albert Haynesworth started the game by jumping offside. Five plays later, Brian Orakpo and London Fletcher took poor angles on Turner’s outside run that netted 33 yards. Haynesworth’s second penalty came four plays later when he jumped into the neutral zone on fourth-and-1 from the Redskins 8.
Two plays later, Matt Ryan threw 2 yards to tight end Tony Gonzalez, who blocked Andre Carter at the snap before releasing into the pattern. Linebacker Chris Wilson was a step behind and couldn’t defend the pass.
It was the third touchdown allowed by the Redskins on an opponent’s opening drive this year.
The Redskins’ answered with a 1-yard gain by Portis, no gain by Portis and a sack of Campbell for an 8-yard loss.
Rocky McIntosh ended Atlanta’s second drive with an interception and 18-yard return to the Washington 47. It was Washington’s first interception this year not by DeAngelo Hall.
The Redskins returned their interception.
The Falcons scored on their interception.
Washington squandered the turnover when Campbell’s throw went through Fred Davis’ hands. Tye Hill caught the deflection and returned it 62 yards for a 14-0 Falcons lead.
The Redskins got on the board with a 48-yard Shaun Suisham field goal with 5:56 left in the first half. A 47-yard pass to Sellers set up the drive, which was stopped by two sacks.
Atlanta wasted no time making it 21-3, using a 38-yard punt return to set up Turner’s 30-yard touchdown run.
The Falcons added a field goal to end the half, capping a drive married by 30 yards in penalties on the Redskins. Ryan scrambled and was hit out of bounds by Landry. During the ensuing melee, Hall pushed several players and coach Mike Smith.
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