The Washington Redskins were defeated by the Tennessee Titans, 25-16, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday. The Redskins were playing to keep their faint playoff hopes alive as were the Titans. The loss almost assures the Redskins of a third straight season of failing to make the postseason after winning the NFC East division and qualifying for the playoffs back in 2015.
Washington (7-8) fought hard despite entering the game 11.5 point underdogs and with another long list of frontline players who could not participate in the contest due to injuries.
The teams fourth signal caller in quarterback Josh Johnson played admirably and almost led the Redskins to what would have been an unforeseen upset of the Titans. Instead, Washington watched their adversely difficult season basically come to an end late in the game when Johnson was unable to connect with wideout Josh Doctson on a third-and-three play with 1:23 remaining and was intercepted by Titans free safety Kevin Byard.
Washington got the ball back with a few seconds left but was unable to secure a miracle. Tennessee cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepted Johnson’s ‘Hail Mary’ attempt and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown.
The Redskins played with poise and passion for much of the contest but were done-in down the stretch by turnovers and a porous defensive effort to close out the game.
While addressing the media after the game coach Jay Gruden choked up a little as he spoke with pride regarding his teams’ efforts that was on display throughout the game.
Gruden got a little choked up in presser talking about how his guys laid it on the line and how hard they competed today.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) December 23, 2018
Johnson, in just his fourth career start and second with the Redskins, earned the right to do so again next Week against the Philadelphia Eagles. The journeyman QB has played well enough to warrant a camp invitation for next season. His play over the past two games against stout defenses has been a steadying force for the Burgundy and Gold although it didn’t translate to a win Saturday.
Despite the late INT, I think Josh Johnson has played himself into an invite back for next season to compete for a roster spot.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) December 23, 2018
With an enormous list of players on injured reserve, Washington will look to win next week and secure a one-game better mark than last season at 8-8. There are no moral victories in pro sports but that would be an accomplishment for the Redskins entering the offseason.