A loss to Norv? Ugh

The Redskins could not lose this game.

They were 4-0 at home. They were out to atone for last Sunday’s controversial, heartbreaking loss at Tampa Bay. They faced a Raiders team that was 3-6 overall and 1-3 outside of the Black Hole. What’s more, they led 13-3 at halftime.

And yet the Redskins found a way to lose in the final 75 seconds to a Raiders team with no running game, a weak defense and a coach by the name of Norv Turner, master of the agonizing defeat.

Two weeks ago, the Redskins felt as if they were on top of the world: They had just ended a four-year losing streak to the Eagles and were talking playoffs.

Now, the Redskins are staring at a bleak January for the sixth straight season.

The game kicked off at 1 p.m., but the Monday Morning Quarterback feels seriously bleary-eyed this morning.

Q: Did I really see that? Tell me I drank from the wrong bottle and that we didn’t really lose to Norv at home.

A: I’m as shocked as you are. Losing on the road to the Broncos, Chiefs, Giants and Bucs is to be expected. But being cowed by Norv at home is embarrassing. Dan Snyder must be feeling mighty small this morning.

Q: Snyder fired Norv for losing back-to-back nail-biters at home to the Eagles and Giants when we were 7-6 and still in the hunt. Is he going to fire Joe Gibbs for losing back-to-back close ones to the previously punchless Bucs and the loathsome Raiders?

A: No way. Not even Snyder would dare dump a Hall of Fame coach during the season. RFK barely has half the seating capacity of the Big Ugly by the Beltway; otherwise, Danny might be ready to reclaim the stadium where Coach Joe ruled.

Maybe Jack Kent Cooke really did build his team’s house on an ancient Indian burial ground; not much has gone right for the Redskins since they moved to Landover.

Q: This was supposed to be one of the gimmes on the schedule. Are we going to lose at the Cardinals, too?

A: Hey, the Cardinals beat the Rams on the road yesterday. To be truthful, anybody can beat you, and you can beat anybody.

Q: Excuse me?

A: Sorry, I was channeling Coach Joe there for a minute. This was a game no team with serious playoff aspirations should lose.

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