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Portis leads Redskins to OT win over Jets

Nov 4, 2007 - 11:08 PM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Clinton Portis and the Washington Redskins spoiled the first game of the Kellen Clemens era for the New York Jets.

Portis rushed for 196 yards on 36 carries and Shaun Suisham kicked a 46-yard field goal in overtime to lead the Redskins to a 20-17 victory on Sunday.

Washington (5-3) now holds an 8-1 edge over the Jets (1-8) in career meetings. The Redskins were coming off a 52-7 loss at New England last week.

"This was really big for us," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "We could've been 4-4. Now you're 5-3 going home. I'm excited about that. It's euphoria and probably a lot of relief."

In his first game since getting the starting nod at quarterback over veteran Chad Pennington, Clemens directed a game-tying drive, capped off by a 30-yard field goal by Mike Nugent with 10 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

Clemens completed 23-of-42 for 226 yards and also rushed for 48 yards in his second career start.

"I don't think Washington expected me to do any scrambling," Clemens said. "When things broke down or when things were covered, I tried to make plays with my feet. I don't think that will be a week-to-week thing. The coverages forced me to run."

It was the Redskins who got the last laugh in overtime. After forcing the Jets to punt on the first possession, the Redskins drove from their own 10-yard line to set the stage for Suisham's game-winning kick. Portis rushed for 61 yards on the final drive.

"The offensive line was jelling," Portis said. "All I could do was run behind them. When we stuck with the running game early, the whole team felt good to stick with the game plan."

Suisham finished with five field goals to tie a franchise record.

New York's Leon Washington opened the game by running back the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown.

After the team traded field goals, Clemens directed an 80-yard drive, capped off with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Joe Kowalewski, to put the Jets ahead, 17-3, midway through the second quarter.

"As the game progressed, I got more and more comfortable," Clemens said. "Even up to the last third down we didn't convert, I felt pretty comfortable and was excited to be back there playing."

The Redskins responded with 17 points to take a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter. After a pair of field goals by Suisham, Washington took advantage of the game's lone turnover.

Safety LaRon Landry scooped up a Jerricho Cotchery fumble early in the fourth quarter and the Redskins methodically drove down the field on the ground.

Portis eventually punched the ball in from the 1-yard line, and quarterback Jason Campbell hit Antwaan Randle El on a two-point conversion pass to put the Redskins ahead, 20-17.

"As a team we kept fighting," Portis said. "Nobody got down. Nobody got worried. We kept to our game plan. We didn't do anything different. It was just consistent.

"You know what? It panned out."

Campbell completed 12-of-23 passes for 142 yards.

The Jets were without top receiver Laveranues Coles, who missed the game with a concussion. Cotchery caught five passes for 90 yards.