Redskins pull away from Broncos

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By Ryan O'Halloran

The Washington Redskins can score more than 20 points after all.

Unable to reach that landmark during the season's miserable first half, the Redskins broke their four-game losing streak with a 27-17 home win on Sunday over the Denver Broncos.

Starting in place of Clinton Portis (concussion), running back Ladell Betts rushed 26 times for 114 yards and a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:44 remaining that broke a 17-all tie.

Denver lost its third straight game after starting the season 6-0.

A DeAngelo Hall interception with 8:57 remaining set up the winning drive. He returned the pick 30 yards before a lateral to LaRon Landry gained another 13 yards.

The Redskins cashed in with an 11-play, 60-yard drive, capped by Betts score.

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Redskins finally win

The Redskins finally win one, with a 27-17 victory over the Denver Broncos.

The biggest play of the drive came on third-and-3 from the Broncos 32. Jason Campbell threw a quick pass down the line of scrimmage to Devin Thomas, who broke two tackles during a 27-yard gain.

Denver took over at its own 27 after the touchdown but couldnt gain a yard as Simms threw four consecutive incompletions. The first two came under pressure by Andre Carter and Albert Haynesworth, Reed Doughty almost intercepted the third down pass and Simms overthrew an open Brandon Marshall on fourth down.

Shaun Suishams 35-yard field goal with 1:10 remaining sealed the Redskins win.

Campbell was 17-of-26 for 193 yards and a touchdown. Holder Hunter Smith threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Mike Sellers when it first appeared the Redskins were setting up for a field goal.

The Redskins running back by committee produced 174 rushing yards.

Denver quarterback Kyle Orton was 11-of-18 for 193 yards and touchdowns of 40 and 75 yards to Marshall before leaving at halftime with an ankle injury.

The Redskins again fell behind early — the fourth play from scrimmage to be exact — when Orton hit a wide open Marshall for a 40-yard touchdown pass. A coverage snafu contributed to the touchdown, as Carlos Rogers appeared to play trail coverage but Landry reacted late.

Washington answered with only its second first-quarter touchdown of the year, a 12-play, 78-yard drive to tie the game on Campbells 2-yard touchdown to Todd Yoder. Big plays on the drive were a 24-yard pass to Fred Davis that set up a first-and-goal from the Broncos 5.

Marshall and Orton hooked up again later in the quarter when Hall or Landry got the wrong coverage call. Hall let Marshall run by him and he became open when Landry jumped on an underneath route and Marshall scored on a 75-yard pass.

The Redskins forced the games second tie midway through the second quarter. On a fourth-and-20 from the Broncos 35, the Redskins lined up for a field goal but Suisham motioned left, leaving Smith to receive the shotgun snap. Smith rolled right and appeared ready to pooch punt to the goal line. But with time to survey the field, he threw 35 yards to Mike Sellers for the touchdown.

Denver responded with a clock-milking drive (18 plays, 82 yards, 6:25) to take a 17-14 halftime lead on Matt Praters 24-yard field goal.

Following a scoreless third quarter, the Redskins tied the game at 17 on Suishams 30-yard field goal.

At 3-6, the Redskins now travel for consecutive NFC East road games against Dallas and Philadelphia.