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Final letdown for Redskins

Lose halftime lead, finish season at .500

By Ryan O'Halloran | Sunday, December 28, 2008

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SAN FRANCISCO | With their lead at 10 points at halftime, the Washington Redskins had a second consecutive winning season in its grasp.

When it became clear Dallas would be blown out by Philadelphia, a third-place finish in the NFC East was there for the taking.

But in a second half meltdown that proved to be a microcosm of the Redskins' last two months, Washington could capture neither, losing to the San Francisco 49ers 27-24 to finish 8-8 and in the division cellar.

When Jason Campbell scrambled for a 2-yard touchdown with 1:09 remaining, the game appeared headed for overtime. But the 49ers quickly moved 51 yards and Joe Nedney's 39-yard field goal won it as time expired.

On the 49ers' winning drive, Maryland alum Shaun Hill threw 19 yards to Michael Robinson and 24 yards to Bryant Johnson.

"We have a long trip back," Redskins coach Jim Zorn said after the loss, the team's sixth in the last eight games. "We have a lot to think about for our group."

The Redskins followed an efficient first half - two long scoring drives, one takeaway and a 17-7 lead - with an equally inefficient second half. The offense started with a fumble and didn't get going again until it was desperation time.

Down 24-17 with less than six minutes remaining, the Redskins started at their own 47 thanks to Rock Cartwright's 43-yard kickoff return. Twelve-yard passes to Chris Cooley and Santana Moss was followed by a 23-yard Campbell scramble down to the 49ers 10-yard line.

Clinton Portis gained a yard before the two-minute warning and Campbell threw 4 yards to Cooley. On fourth-and-goal from the 2, Campbell looked for Cooley before running for the 3-yard touchdown with 1:09 remaining. It was Campbell's second career rushing score.

San Francisco started at its winning drive at its own 27.