Missed Extra Point Gives Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win Over Washington Redskins

In what had become a theme throughout the course of the game, the Washington Redskins capped off a poor special teams and kicking performance by a missed extra points with nine seconds remaining to lose by one point to the Tampa Bay buccaneers 17-16.

“It was almost weird. We’re sitting on the sidelines, and something just didn’t feel right,” remarked Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams after the game. “I was like, ‘Man, he’s going to miss it; we’re going to block it.’ Something just didn’t feel right, man. When I see the snap go over the place-kicker’s head, I was like ‘Wow, OK, game’s over.’ “

With the win, Tampa Bay (8-5) continues to be in serious contention for a playoff berth in the NFC.  They remain in third place in their own division however, behind Atlanta and New Orleans in the NFC South.   The victory snapped a two-game skid for the Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers managed one touchdown and three field goals in the game.  The lone touchdown came courtesy of a Josh Freeman pass to tight end Kellen Winslow, combined with a successful two-point conversion.

It was a game in which the weather played a factor, as the sloppy and wet conditions hindered both offense, which ultimate culminated into the game coming down to a missed extra point.

“I could have been the difference in that game,” said Gano after the game. “I just have to stay confident and move on to next week.”

Afterward for the Redskins (5-8), holder Hunter Smith recalled the botched snap, and poor performance in the kicking game of the Redskins.

“People are going to call for Graham’s head. They’re going to say it was a high snap. They’re going to blame me for dropping it,” Smith remarked. “I’m a 12-year vet and I have to catch the ball and get it down. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining; it doesn’t matter where the snap is. If anybody needs to lose their job, it’s me, certainly not one of those guys. I certainly accept blame and hope I receive the blame.”

The Redskins got a solid effort on the ground from running back Ryan Torain, who gained 172 yards on the afternoon.

Tampa Bay was set as a one-point favorite on NFL Betting lines, with the game resulting in a push.  The game’s total of 34 points took the under, which was installed at 41 points prior to kick off.