NFL Game Summary - Washington at Chicago
(Sunday, October 24th)
Final Score: Washington 17, Chicago 14
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - DeAngelo Hall had four interceptions, including
one that he returned 92 yards for what proved to be the game-winning
touchdown, to help the Washington Redskins take a 17-14 win over the Chicago
Bears.
Donovan McNabb went 17-for-32 with 200 yards, one touchdown and two
interceptions while Ryan Torain had 125 yards on 21 carries for the Redskins
(4-3), who have won three of their last four games. Santana Moss finished the
game with five receptions for 63 yards and a score.
"It was a defensive game," said Washington head coach Mike Shanahan, who won
the 150th game of his coaching career. "The Bears did an excellent job on
defense, as well as our football team. We kept them off balance, and we played
a very consistent game."
Jay Cutler had a tough contest as he was picked off four times, fumbled the
ball once and was sacked four times. He finished the game 26-for-40 with 281
yards and a score for the Bears (4-3), who have dropped their past two games
heading into their bye week.
"Sometimes you just don't play well enough to win," said Chicago head coach
Lovie Smith. "Like last week, I did feel like we were ready to play our best
ball, didn't feel that way today. You can't turn the ball over that many
times, it's as simple as that."
With Washington holding a three-point lead at the start of the fourth, Chicago
got into Washington territory, but a 1st-and-10 at the 35 saw Matt Forte
fumble a reception and Washington recover it at its own 25.
The Redskins then got into Chicago territory thanks to 54 yards on three
carries from Torain, but he fumbled the ball on a first down play and the
Bears got the ball back at their own seven-yard line.
The parade of turnovers continued as Cutler was picked off by Hall to give the
Redskins a golden opportunity to add to their lead, but the team moved
backwards and Graham Gano's 37-yard field goal attempt banged off the top of
the left upright and stayed out with 8:07 to play.
The Bears were held to a three-and-out and had to punt the ball away, but then
held the Redskins and got the ball back at their own 19 with 3:31 to play.
Cutler got the team near midfield with a pair of completions to Johnny Knox,
but Hall came up with his fourth interception of the game and the Redskins
killed the rest of the clock.
"I've never had more than two picks in a game, six in a season," said Hall.
"So, you know, to be sitting right now and have four in one game, it's kinda
mind-blowing. I had my mom, my aunt, and my two cousins in the stands. The
first ball went to my mom. Second ball went to my aunt. Next thing you know,
everybody had a ball."
The first points of the game came from the Chicago defense. D.J. Moore came
around the left end cleanly and had a hold of McNabb, who tried to get rid of
the ball. Israel Idonije got his hands in the air and deflected the ball, with
Moore coming down with it and rumbling untouched into the end zone from 54
yards out for a 7-0 lead with 6:03 left in the first.
The Redskins, though, answered with a nine-play drive that covered 72 yards
and saw McNabb hit Moss in the end zone from 24 yards out to tie the game with
1:08 left in the first.
Washington took the lead with its first touch of the second quarter as Gano's
46-yard field goal with 12:09 left in the frame capped a six-play drive for a
10-7 lead.
From there the teams exchanged punts several times, but the Bears got the ball
back with just over four minutes to play and marched down the field to take
the lead.
The team gained five first downs on the drive and Cutler gave the club a 14-10
advantage with 24 seconds left in the half as he tossed a nine-yard score to
the left corner for Knox.
Chicago started the second half with the ball and got down to the Washington
one-yard line, but Cutler fumbled the ball trying to leap over the pile and
the Redskins recovered.
"I'll have to look at it on film," said Cutler about the fumble. "I extended
the ball forward, then Albert [Haynesworth] was in there and pushed me back. I
started to go backwards. The middle linebacker came flying over the top and
knocked it out. I felt like I was going backwards."
On 2nd-and-18, McNabb tossed a pass to the left side which Moore intercepted
and took into the end zone for what appeared to be his second touchdown of the
game, but Washington was called for delay of game to wipe the score out and
later had to punt.
The next three possession saw interceptions and the third one allowed
Washington to take the lead.
Facing a 3rd-and-7 at the Washington 13, Cutler threw the ball to the right
sideline and Hall came down with the ball. He then raced down the sideline
untouched for 92 yards and a 17-14 score with 1:36 left in the third.
Game Notes
The Redskins play in Detroit next Sunday...The Bears play at Buffalo following
their week off...The four interceptions by Hall tied an NFL record held by 18
other players. He is the first person to do it since Deltha O'Neal
accomplished the feat with Denver in 2001...The nine turnovers between the
two teams were the most in a game this season...The Redskins have won 10
of the past 12 games against Chicago...Knox finished the game with
six catches for 86 yards and the score.
10/24 19:00:23 ET

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