Redskins’ backups show they’re ready to shine

The most remarkable aspect of the upset pulled by the Washington Redskins on Sunday lies not in the fact that they finally won again, but rather in the surprising players who led them to victory.

The Redskins delivered their best performance in more than a year in a 27-17 win over the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos, a victory that ended a four-game losing streak and provided the organization with desperately needed relief.

And leading the way were players who had received little time - or in some cases none at all - over the course of this season.

It wasn’t six-time Pro Bowl selection Chris Samuels blanking Elvis Dumervil, the NFL sacks leader, for 51 minutes. In Samuels’ place at left tackle was Levi Jones, who didn’t sign with the Redskins until Oct. 20 and hadn’t started a game in a year.

Randy Thomas, a regular since the 2003 season, wasn’t at right guard helping the running game grind out 174 yards, the Redskins’ most in 18 games. Instead, the spot was manned by Chad Rinehart, making just his third NFL start and his first since Week 4.

“There’s a lot of guys that are really hungry, guys that haven’t had the opportunities,” fullback Mike Sellers said. “There was a whole different mindset.”

Rinehart and Jones weren’t alone among secondary players making a big impact.

Fred Davis, playing in place of injured Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley and making only his fourth start, led the Redskins with four catches for 50 yards.

Quinton Ganther, last on the depth chart at running back, finished with more receiving yards than ace wideout Santana Moss. So did reserve back Rock Cartwright and former starting receivers Antwaan Randle El and Malcolm Kelly.

Ladell Betts replaced the injured Clinton Portis at running back and rushed for 114 yards.

And Betts, blocking tight end Todd Yoder and Sellers scored the Redskins’ touchdowns - Sellers on a pass from holder Hunter Smith on a fake field goal.

“Ladell was like, ‘It’s my time to shine,’ ” Sellers said. “He’s playing with a vengeance.”

The Redskins’ offense lost 16 turnovers in the first 7 1/2 games this season but hasn’t committed one since trailing the Falcons 24-3 at halftime - the key to the turnaround, according to coach Jim Zorn.

Center Casey Rabach said the veterans simply “set their jaw” and said “enough is enough.”

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