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Jaguars play starters, beat Redskins 24-17

Sep 4, 2009 - 3:45 AM By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.(AP) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't want to be the first team in franchise history to endure a winless preseason.

Coach Jack Del Rio even talked to his players about it before the game.

"We didn't want to be the first 0-4 team in Jacksonville history," receiver Mike Sims-Walker said. "We were at home, so that would have made it even worse. We wanted to get a win. That was the most important thing tonight."

It showed, too. Washington's backups were no match for Jacksonville's starters who played most of the first half.

David Garrard led the Jaguars to a touchdown and two field goals in four possessions, Sims-Walker looked sharp in his first action in nearly a month and Jacksonville took advantage of two early turnovers to beat the Redskins 24-17 Thursday night.

Del Rio thought a preseason victory would be huge for a young team trying to rebound from a losing season.

"We certainly don't want to go winless," Garrard said.

Garrard completed 10 of 13 passes for 95 yards and a score. He hooked up with Sims-Walker for a 10-yard TD late in the second quarter, then found rookie Jarett Dillard for the 2-point conversion, making it 21-0. It could have been worse, too, but Jacksonville failed to score from the 3-yard line as time expired in the half.

The Redskins (1-3) played without running back Clinton Portis and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, and several starters stayed in just one series.

Washington even skipped right over backup quarterback Todd Collins and turned things over to rookie Chase Daniel on the second drive. Daniel, battling Colt Brennan for the third-string job, completed 8 of 16 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He fumbled on Quentin Groves' sack, and Jacksonville (1-3) scored three plays later.

Washington's first turnover was just as costly. After Josh Scobee's 23-yard field goal on the opening drive, Anthony Alridge fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Tiquan Underwood scooped it up at the 3-yard line, fell down and then crawled across the goal line for a 10-0 lead.

With most starters on the sideline and quarterbacks switching just about every drive, the Redskins couldn't find a rhythm. Dropped passes didn't help. Marko Mitchell dropped one, and Antwaan Randle El let a perfectly thrown deep ball from Jason Campbell slip through his fingers.

Campbell completed 4 of 6 passes for 33 yards.

"He was excellent," coach Jim Zorn said. "He made big plays. He made a great throw to Antwaan Randle El that we couldn't connect on. We saw what we wanted to see tonight."

Brennan was 10 of 14 for 83 yards before leaving the game with a hamstring injury.

Washington scored on Shaun Suisham's 48-yard field goal in the third quarter, Dominique Dorsey's short TD run in the fourth and Daniel's 4-yard TD pass Mitchell with 48 seconds left.

The Jaguars had plenty to celebrate.

They were 10 of 16 on third down. The offensive line - with rookie tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton starting, and veteran Tony Pashos moving to right guard - controlled up front. Torry Holt had a 31-yard reception, Sims-Walker caught four passes for 64 yards, and Williamson continued his strong preseason with four receptions for 35 yards. Scobee kicked three field goals, including a 52-yarder, and finished 10 for 10 in the preseason.

"We definitely wanted to execute what we showed tonight, moving the ball and putting up points whether it's three or seven, showing that the offense is maturing and moving in the right direction," Garrard said. "That is what we were able to show tonight."

The only negative for Jacksonville was on the injury front.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew bruised his right leg on the opening series when cornerback Fred Smoot tackled him following a short reception. X-rays were negative, but Jones-Drew's status for the season opener remains a question.

"I don't know what's really wrong with him," Garrard said. "I don't know if anything's really wrong with him. He'll be fine. He'll be ready to roll."