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Rackers misses late field goal as Redskins hold off Cardinals

Oct 21, 2007 - 10:42 PM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) - The Washington Redskins withstood a gutsy effort by Kurt Warner.

Neil Rackers missed a 55-yard field goal wide left with two seconds remaining as the Redskins held on for a 21-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Playing with torn ligaments in his left elbow, Warner nearly rallied the Cardinals (3-4) from a 21-6 deficit in the fourth quarter.

Warner, who suffered the injury in last week's 25-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers, completed 27-of-41 passes for 282 yards after a slow start.

The decision to start the veteran quarterback was not made until just before game.

"It really wasn't decided until today," Warner said. "I had it in the back of my mind that if I could, I would."

Forced to use a makeshift offensive line due to a series of injuries, the Redskins (4-2) were badly outplayed, getting outgained, 364-160. One of their touchdowns came on London Fletcher's 27-yard interception return.

"We got a win," Redskins receiver Santana Moss said. "That's all that matters. Our defense played a hell of a game and kept us in it."

Washington quarterback Jason Campbell had a lackluster game, completing just 12-of-18 passes for 95 yards. Clinton Portis rushed for two short touchdowns but was held to 43 yards on 18 carries.

"There wasn't a lot there at times," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "I just think we tried to just do things we felt like we could do."

Arizona opened up its offense in the second half. Warner tossed a 10-yard TD pass to Anquan Boldin eight seconds into the final quarter to pull the Cardinals within 21-13.

Boldin returned to the lineup after missing three games with a hip injury.

With just over seven minutes remaining, the Cardinals were turned back as Andre Carter sacked Warner at the Redskins' 10-yard line, causing a fumble that was recovered by Phillip Daniels.

But the Cardinals got another chance, taking over at their 29 with 2:37 remaining, and Warner went back to work. He completed four passes during the dramatic drive, including tosses of seven and 29 yards to J.J. Arrington that gave Arizona a 1st-and-goal at the 2.

On third down, Tim Rattay replaced Warner and fired a 1-yard TD pass to Leonard Pope with 21 seconds left. It was Rattay's only play of the game.

The Cardinals tried some trickery on the conversion as Boldin took the snap with Rattay lined up to the left. The move backfired as Boldin rolled right and threw a low pass intended for Larry Fitzgerald that was picked off in the end zone by rookie safety LeRon Landry.

"Anytime I line up at quarterback, they're going to look for the run," Boldin said. " I kind of figured Larry would be open. It's something we put in just this week."

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said he had no second thoughts about using Boldin as a quarterback on the conversion try.

"When those plays work, they're great," Whisenhunt said. "When they don't work, people are going to question them."

Arizona recovered the ensuing onside kick, and Warner completed two passes to Bryant Johnson to give Rackers a shot at a game-winning field goal.

Warner struggled in the first half, throwing a pair of interceptions. The Redskins converted those turnovers into 14 points.

Safety Sean Taylor's interception at the Arizona 25 set up Clinton Portis' 2-yard run with 4:12 left in the first quarter.

With seven minutes left in the first half, Fletcher picked off Warner and returned it the distance, giving the Redskins a 14-0 lead.

"We did some good things in the first half by scoring and setting up our offense for another score," Fletcher said. "(Warner) is not a mobile guy, but he is crafty, and we didn't do a good enough job with their receivers."

Warner and Boldin hooked up for a 2-yard TD on the final play of the first half, pulling the Cardinals within 14-6. The extra point was blocked.

The Redskins extended their lead to 21-6 on Portis' 1-yard TD with 5:47 left in the third quarter to give but turned conservative thereafter.