MNF: Titans Top Redskins

L A N D O V E R, Md., Oct. 31, 2000 -- 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.

Johnson Plays Magician

The most dynamic third-down play came when Brad Johnson, hardlythe most mobile of quarterbacks, escaped a sack by spinning awayfrom Jevon Kearse and scrambling 13 yards before taking a stiff hitfrom Denard Walker. A pass interference call on Rolle gave theRedskins first-and-goal, and Johnson hit fullback Mike Sellers twoplays later with a 5-yard pass to make it 7-0.

The Titans responded with a more chaotic, 11-play drive thatincluded three scrambles by quarterback Steve McNair. Al Del Grecocapped it with a 46-yard field goal that barely cleared thecrossbar.

Less than two minutes later, a flying block by Keith Bullucksprang Mason for a 69-yard punt return to put the Titans ahead10-7. Mason darted left and juked punter Tommy Barnhardt for hissecond career punt return touchdown.

Late in the half, a bad snap by Joe Zelenka forced Barnhardt toabort a punt attempt. After the play, Bulluck pushed Barnhardt’shelmet off. Barnhardt retaliated and was flagged for a personalfoul, giving the Titans good field position to set up a 21-yardfield goal by Del Greco.

Rolle’s touchdown then made it 20-7 at the half. The Redskinsclosed to 20-14 late in the third quarter with a 13-play, 66-yarddrive, relying heavily on Stephen Davis. Davis’ seventh touch ofthe drive was a 1-yard TD run.

But the Titans scored the insurance touchdown as George’s runsand a roughing the passer penalty on Kenard Lang led to Wycheck’sscore.

The Redskins came back one more time, passing on 10 of 11 playsto go 71 yards. Larry Centers caught a 3-yard touchdown pass with6:42 to go to make it 27-21.

But Rolle’s second interception ended the Redskins’ last realchance. Dainon Sidney also picked off a desperation pass by Johnsonon the last play of the game.