The game in quarters

A closer look at Sunday's contest.

By LAWRENCE HOLLYFIELD
Published November 14, 2005

FIRST QUARTER

CLINTON IN '05: Redskins back Clinton Portis had four carries of 10 or more yards, looking like he was going to spend the day running past and through Buccaneers.

PASS TENSE: On Tampa Bay's first throw, the Redskins rushed six - one on a delayed blitz - and collapsed the pocket disturbingly quickly around Chris Simms.

THIS SUPERPOWER MORE FUN TO WATCH: Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice, invisible last week, had a tackle, sack and a forced fumble.

BOLDEN BETTER AND BETTER: Cornerback Juran Bolden perfectly timed a hit on David Patten, jostling the ball loose. Bolden pulled in the interception and returned it 28 yards.

BEAUTIFUL - AND LUCKY: Tampa Bay picked up a blitz, giving Simms time to complete a pass to Joey Galloway. Galloway didn't get both feet down but was ruled to have been pushed out at the 3, preventing the Redskins from challenging the ruling.

CALL HIM THE A-PLANE: Mike Alstott, who did everything asked of him with his early opportunities, soared over the pile at the goal line for a 2-yard touchdown.

KIND CAROM: Juran Bolden, in the right place at the right time again, broke up a pass that bounced to Simeon Rice, who made the interception.

RICE REALLY ROLLING: On Washington's next series, the Bucs defensive end recorded his second sack and forced fumble. This time, Dewayne White recovered, setting up a score.

CROWD-PLEASER, COACH-PLEASER: Mike Alstott battered his way into the end zone, needing two carries from the 5.

A (RE)TURN FOR THE WORSE: Ladell Betts answered Alstott's touchdown with a spinning, tiptoeing sprint down the sideline for a 94-yard score.

MORE OF MIKE: On second and 6 from the Tampa Bay 37, Alstott took a short pass from Chris Simms and rumbled 18 yards. A roughing-the-passer penalty moved the ball to the Washington 30.

THIS WEEK'S INSTALLMENT OF "HE'S REALLY FAST": Bucs receiver Joey Galloway made up for an earlier drop by turning a short pass into a 24-yard touchdown.

A REALLY BAD 16 SECONDS: The Bucs didn't handle the second-half kickoff cleanly, committed a holding penalty during the return, missed a block at the line of scrimmage, fumbled and lost a replay challenge.

THE NEXT 90 SECONDS NOT SO HOT EITHER: Washington reached the end zone twice on its next four plays, once on a 7-yard touchdown pass and once on a two-point conversion.

FULLBACK WITH FIRE: Jameel Cook gained 6 yards on a catch on second and 5, refusing to go down on initial contact.

. . . FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME: A 47-yard pass from Mark Brunell to Santana Moss was erased by a holding penalty. Three plays later, the duo connected for 42 yards.

BETTS AGAIN: Ladell Betts, who had no touchdowns entering the game, scored his second of the game with a 17-yard reception.

EASY EDELL: Edell Shepherd caught a 46-yard pass on third and 9.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN: Ike Hilliard scored his first touchdown as a Buc.

THE BIRTH OF A LEADER: The Bucs, trailing by seven, took over on their 46 with 1:52 left. On first down, Chris Simms used a five-step drop and took advantage of seven pass protectors to find Joey Galloway for a 13-yard gain. The play was upheld on video replay.

CHANGING THE PASS RUSH: The Redskins, who sent five rushers after Simms on first down, went with a zone blitz on the next play. Linebacker Marcus Washington leaped high and swatted away the pass.

GOOD READ: The Redskins dropped eight into coverage, so Simms looked underneath and completed a pass to Edell Shepherd 4 yards downfield. Shepherd eluded Carlos Rogers to get 11 and the first down.

CLOCK MANAGEMENT: On first down, Simms spiked the ball to stop the clock.

EVERYTHING COMES TOGETHER: With Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard wide left and the Redskins rushing six, Simms again made the right read and threw a bull's-eye to Shepherd, who had lined up on the right and had a half-step on Walt Harris. Kenyatta Walker had a key block, sliding off Washington to pick up Lemar Marshall.

THE REBIRTH OF A LEGEND: Mike Alstott and the power package were sent in for a two-point conversion. The call was gutsy and Alstott's execution vintage power football as Ryan Clark, Khary Campbell, Ryan Boschetti and Marshall hit Alstott but could not keep him out of the end zone.

[Last modified November 14, 2005, 09:03:03]