MNF: Titans Top Redskins
L A N D O V E R, Md., Oct. 31 -- Had Samari Rolle returned the interception80 yards, it wouldn’t have meant a thing.
Instead, Rolle stumbled his weary body across the goal line forthat final yard on the last play of the first half, and theTennessee Titans were well on their way to their seventhconsecutive victory.
Rolle’s score was one of two touchdown on returns for the Titansas they beat Washington 27-21 Monday night, ending the Redskins’five-game winning streak.
Derrick Mason returned a punt 69 yards, and former Washingtontight end Frank Wycheck caught an 18-yard TD pass as the Titans(7-1) maintained a two-game lead over Pittsburgh in the AFCCentral. The loss knocked the Redskins (6-3) out of first place inthe NFC East, one-half game behind the New York Giants.
Rolle’s interception was as dramatic as they come. The Redskins,trailing 13-7, had the ball on the Titans 34 with 10 secondsremaining in the half.
Sideline to Sideline
Rolle stepped in front of Irving Fryar and caught the ball atthe 19. Then, knowing that he had to run it all the way backbecause time had expired, Rolle went from sideline to sideline,reading his blocks all the way to the end zone.
Rolle was then buried under a pile of teammates in the end zoneand couldn’t make it off the field without an injury timeout.
Rolle also had another interception at the Redskins 33 with 1:59to play, ending Washington’s last real chance to drive the balldownfield.
The Titans used Eddie George on seven consecutive plays to setup their only offensive touchdown, scored by Wycheck in the fourthquarter. George sprained his right knee early in last week’s 14-6victory over Baltimore and was not confirmed to start until shortlybefore kickoff. Showing no obvious effects from the injury, hecarried 22 times for 71 yards.
The Titans defense had held every offense it faced this seasonto three plays and a punt on its opening series. The Redskins endedthat streak emphatically with a 16-play, 84-yard drive that took8:19 and included four third-down conversions.
