Redskins grades

By David Elfin (Contact) | Monday, November 17, 2008

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MAKING THE GRADE

RUN OFFENSE B

Clinton Portis didn't look like a guy with a gimpy knee the way he powered for 29 yards on five carries on the first drive. Ladell Betts carried just once for 1 yard after being out for a month with a sprained knee. Jason Campbell's keeper with five receivers surprised the Cowboys and became a 22-yard gain.

PASS OFFENSE C-

Campbell spent a decent amount of time being flushed out of the pocket by the relentless Dallas pass rush; he passed for just 64 yards in the first half. Fullback Mike Sellers had two catches for 15 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive. Receiver Santana Moss had five catches for just 29 yards.

RUN DEFENSE C-

Marion Barber finished with 114 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, wearing the Redskins down as the game went along. Barber gained 27 yards on the fourth-quarter drive that gave the Cowboys the lead. Linebacker Rocky McIntosh was all over the field.

PASS DEFENSE C+

DeAngelo Hall ended Dallas' second series by intercepting Tony Romo's pass for Terrell Owens. Carlos Rogers popped the ball loose from Owens, with McIntosh catching the carom, to finish the Cowboys' fourth drive, again inside Washington's red zone. Martellus Bennett beat Chris Horton and LaRon Landry for the winning touchdown.

SPECIAL TEAMS B

Rock Cartwright's season-long 58-yard kickoff return set up Shaun Suisham's 41-yard field goal just before halftime that gave the Redskins a 10-7 lead. Later, Suisham was short on a 46-yard attempt. Ryan Plackemeier had a solid night with a 47-yard average on four punts.

COACHING B-

Zorn's quarterback draw call was brilliant, but the continual short throws to the flat weren't working, so a different strategy should have been in order. Greg Blache's opportunistic defense slowed Dallas for a while, but the Cowboys made key plays when they needed them.

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