I awoke Sunday to a beautiful blue Maryland sky. It was certain to be a perfect day for going to see a football game! Woohoo!
After spending a leisurely morning with the Courtland family and friends, Bob and I left for the game just after 11:00. Given the weather, there was no need for coats on this day. It was strictly shirt sleeves and sunglasses on this day. (So much for the stadium blanket I packed)
Traffic was slow but steady as the Beltway was packed with Redskin fans. We passed the time listening to football pregame shows on the radio featuring a variety of former Redskin players singing the praises of their mighty 'Skins.
We got off the freeway, parked, then walked nearly a mile the rest of the way to the stadium. Along the way we passed several packed parking lots. I admit I was surprised to see as many tailgaters as I did -- not quite what I'd call Lambeau-quality tailgating, but tailgating nonetheless.
Once we finally arrived at FedEx Field, Bob gave me a quick walk-around tour of the stadium before making our way to our seats. It was nice, but not overly impressive. To me FedEx Field is a good example of the many of the no-frills sport-specific venues being built these days. As a football stadium, it's an efficient facility that's easy to get around in, has good spectator seating, with adequate concessions and bathroom facilities. What it lacks is character. I like stadiums like the Safeco Field (Seattle Mariners), Bank One Ballpark (Arizona Diamondbacks), Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles) or of course lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers), aren't just great stadiums -- they come packed with character.
As game time approached, I bought my obligatory game day program, then Bob and I took our seats and settled in for a sunny afternoon of pro football. I was surprised to see how many Packer fans were in attendance. There were lots of Cheese Heads visible among the sea of Redskin fans.
By the way, I should also point out that Bob surprised me a bit by pointing out that he too was rooting for the Packers in this game -- but not because he had any allegiance to the team. It was actually politically motivated. It turns out that in the previous 16 presidential elections, when the Redskins lost the last home game before the election, the incumbent lost. Likewise if they won, then the incumbent would win. As a Kerry supporter, Bob needed Green Bay to win.
From the beginning Green Bay seemed to take control and easily moved the ball down field on each of their first three possessions. Unfortunately this success only translated to a 17-0 lead as the first drive stalled and resulted only in a Longwell field goal. Ahman Green and Javon Walker each contributed touchdowns in subsequent possessions. The Redskins managed to get on the board just before halftime with a touchdown pass from former Favre backup, Mark Brunell.
Although I was a bit concerned about my usual belief that the play-calling was a bit too predictable again in the first half, it was more than offset by my confidence in the Packers' passing game and a defense that bent, yet didn't break. After sampling the FedEx Field cuisine, the second half was ready to start.
Green Bay opened the half with a seven-play drive that eventually stalled and ended with a 39 yard field goal that pushed the score to 20-7 in their favor. Unfortunately this is when the tide slowly began to turn in favor of the Redskins. Neither team was able to score the rest the third quarter, and Green Bay was forced to punt on each of it's next two possessions. The third quarter ultimately ended with the same 20-7 score, and a Redskin team with growing confidence.
After missing a field goal, the Packers exchanged punts with the Redskins on their next respective possessions. Then came the first Packer nightmare. Favre was intercepted by Shaun Springs and Brunell immediately converted it into a quick touchdown for the 'Skins. They moved to within 6 points at 20-14. With 4:52 left in the game, the complexion of the game changed completely.
Two more Packer nightmares followed quickly. Favre was intercepted on each of his next two possessions. It got worse as Washington drove into Packer territory. Green Bay had been having trouble putting pressure on Mark Brunell without blitzing. Unfortunately with less than three minutes on the clock and Washington driving, Green bay blitzed and Brunell caught a streaking Curtis Portis streaking across the middle. As the fans around me jumped to their feet screaming. I couldn't bear too look and sat horrified as the cheers escalated, then finally broke into screams for an apparent Redskin go-ahead touchdown.
Fortunately the football gods were shining on us Packer fans this afternoon. There was a flag on the field. Before allowing a field goal, the referees huddled and announced that an illegal motion penalty had been called on james Thrash. They had to take the points off the board. On the very next play, another miracle happened immediately... Brunell threw his next pass directly to Al Harris. Any semblance of momentum went the way of Green Bay with that mistake. Four plays later Ahman Green scored to push the score to 28-14, Green Bay. By now the chants from Green Bay fans made for nearly a home game atmosphere for them. All that was left at this point was to run out the clock. By the time the gun sounded, the stands were nearly cleared of Redskin fans. The ride home would be a happy one.
Although I was most definitely happy with the victory, I definitely felt as though we had dodged a major bullet. Later we learned that Favre had aggravated his long-standing thumb injury on his throwing hand, likely accounting for his poor passing in the second half.
We spent the rest of the evening dealing with trick-or-treaters and relaxed conversation. We ordered a wonderful meal from Outback Steakhouse for curbside delivery. Bob and I closed the evening with lots of computer and gadget-related conversation over the dining room table.
A relaxing end to another great day. Unfortunately, I head back toomorrow. (heavy sigh)
But in the mean time... Go Pack!
