This is the sixth installment of TheHogs.net 2004 NFL season simulation using the NFL2K5 title on the Playstation 2 video game system.
Washington Redskins (1-4) at Chicago Bears (3-1)
(Chicago) The Redskins came into the game with renewed optimism after the team jettisoned the high priced QB Mark Brunell in a trade with the Bills to Buffalo for another veteran QB, Drew Bledsoe. Due to an elbow injury to Patrick Ramsey, Bledsoe headed into the game as starter with just one week to digest the Redskins playbook.
The Bears started the scoring off after they force the Redskins to punt on their first drive. They then move the ball 30 yards in 10 plays and score the first points of the game when K Paul Edinger connects on a 49 yard field goal.
Bears 3 -0.
The Redskins are again forced to punt after a decent drive but dropped balls prevent the drive from progressing. The Bears take over after a Redskins punt but they are unable to move the ball after three plays are also forced to punt. On the punt, Sean Taylor breaks through and blocks the kick. Matt Bowen recovers for the Redskins at the Bears 26. After a 4 yard run by Clinton Portis, Drew Bledsoe hooks up with Laveranues Coles for a 22 yard touchdown.
Redskins 7-3.
The teams then became entrenched in a defensive struggle as they played the battle of field position for the remainder of the half. The Redskins had the best opportunity to score as a wide open James Thrash dropped a huge pass down the left side that could have gone for a touchdown but certainly would have left a seemingly easy field goal.
The second half opened with the teams again struggling to move the ball until the Redskins, on their second drive of the half, went 68 yards in 9 plays and scored their second touchdown when Portis found room over the right side from 20 yards out.
Redskins 14-3.
The Bears seemingly found their offense at the half as well as on the first play after the kickoff; QB Rex Grossman goes deep and hits a streaking Marty Booker for an 80 yard touchdown. The Redskins defense was caught in a blitz and a blown coverage on the same play.
Redskins 14-10.
At the end of the third quarter, the Redskins missed an opportunity to open a 7 point lead after John Hall came up short on a 42 yard field goal attempt.
The Redskins defense opened the final quarter by clamping down on the Bears offense and after three plays (-12 net yards) forced a punt. The pumped up Redskins offense came out and on a 6 play 68 yard drive which saw Bledsoe go 4 for 4 on pass attempts, they score when the final pass to Thrash goes for a 40 yard touchdown.
Redskins 21-10.
The Bears, however, showed why they are 3-1 as they march 86 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown, but take 4:37 off the clock. The touchdown came on a 40 yard catch and carry by David Terrell. The drive was sustained by two key penalties against the Redskins defense, the most costly a roughing the passer call against Brandon Noble. The Bears attempted a two point conversion but failed when the Grossman pass was batted down at the line.
Redskins 21-16.
With only 1:05 remaining and trailing by 5, the Bears go for the onside kick and recover (Jerry Azumah) at the Redskin 48. They waste no time as the Bears score two plays later when Grossman hits Justin Gage for a 44 yard touchdown. On the play, rookie Sean Taylor went for the interception rather than the tackle and in the process knocked down fellow defender, Todd Franz, thus allowing Gage to walk untouched into the end zone. They would also tack on the 2 point conversion after former Redskin, Bryan Johnson, bowled his way over the end-stripe from 2 yards out.
Bears 24-21.
So, with only :51 left in the game and trailing by a field goal, the newly acquired Drew Bledsoe was looked to for some last minute heroics. The Redskins started their final drive on their own 23. On first down, Bledsoe hit Darnerian McCants for a 15 yard pass on the far sideline. With: 47 seconds left, Bledsoe found Coles for a quick hitter on the sideline that takes only 3 ticks off the clock. : 44 seconds left and the Redskins are at their own 38 yard line. Bledsoe stood in the pocket long enough to find Coles across the middle for 16 yards. Timeout called by the Redskins with: 36 seconds left in the game. The next play, Taylor Jacobs appeared to haul in a huge 23 yard catch as he went out of bounds that would have had the Redskins in field goal position but the replay booth nullified the catch. The Redskins show their resiliency as on the next play, as Bledsoe found Ladell Betts somehow open at the 9 yard line as he scored on the 46 yard pass to put the Redskins up with only: 25 seconds left in the game.
Redskins 28-21.
The Bears were unable to do anything with the remaining time as the Redskins came into their backyard and posted an impressive road victory behind Drew Bledsoe’ 16-30 for 263 yards and 3 touchdown performance. The defense was paced by Lavar Arrington’s 15 tackles.
28 – WASHINGTON REDSKINS (2-4)
24 – CHICAGO BEARS (3-2)
POWER STANDINGS
The Redskins remain at 30th in the league. The top three teams are Denver, Minnesota and the New York Jets.
DIVISION STANDINGS
New York Giants 3-2
Philadelphia Eagles 2-3
Washington Redskins 2-4
Dallas Cowboys 1-4
TRANSACTION WIRE
The Redskins were again active as the trading deadline draws close.
The Washington Redskins announce the trade of WR Rod Gardner and the 2005 2nd round draft pick to the New York Giants for WR Amani Toomer.
The Washington Redskins announce the trade of their 2005 1st and 4th round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for TE Todd Heap. The Redskins also announce the release of TE Walter Rasby.
Tune in next week for a recap of the NFL action as the Redskins use their BYE week to get healthy and refocus for the remainder of the season. They will return to action the following week against the Green Bay Packers.
-Wingman
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Les Barnhart