Check out the top photos from the Washington Redskins' Week 7 matchup against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, at FedExField in Landover, Md.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
With 7:41 remaining in Sunday's Week 7 matchup between the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans at FedExField, the Redskins saw the Titans take a one-point lead, 17-16, after a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Charlie Whitehurst over the top to wide receiver Derek Hagan.
On 3rd and 8 of the ensuing Redskins drive from their own 23, the Titans brought the house, with safety Michael Griffith earning a big sack on third-string Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy.
The deflating moment was a far cry from just one quarter earlier, when the Redskins seemingly grasped a hold on all of the momentum after recovering a muffed Titans punt return at the Tennessee 24-yard line.
But the Redskins got one more shot to pull ahead late in the game after that late Titans stop.
And they finally cashed in.
With McCoy leading the charge on that final 10-play drive, Washington charged 76 yards down the field, and, with three seconds left on the clock, kicker Kai Forbath sealed the Redskins' second victory of the season with a 22-yard field goal, giving his team a 19-17 decision over the Titans in front of 75,227 fans at FedExField.
REVEALING MOMENT
Ker-plunk.
Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden the past couple weeks has expressed concern that his special teams units were yet to make any "splash plays" – or momentum-changing plays for you traditionalists – this season.
But late in the third quarter, the Redskins unleashed a cannon ball into the pool, when punter Tress Way's 28-yard punt was muffed by returner Dexter McCluster. The ball then conveniently landed into the hands of Redskins' tight end Niles Paul at the Tennessee 24-yard line.
Five plays later, the Redskins cashed in with a 27-yard field goal from Kai Forbath – his third of the game – to extend their lead to 16-10 with 13:32 left in the game.
The ball hasn't exactly bounced the Redskins' way each week this season. But that's literally what happened on that particular play, which was probably a sight for the sore eyes of Gruden and special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica.
PLAY OF THE GAME
You could say Colt McCoy couldn't have scripted his first pass as a member of the Redskins any better.
Gruden elected to go with McCoy under center to start the second half against the Titans, and the decision immediately paid off.
On 2nd and 9 from the Washington 30, McCoy, lined up in the shotgun, found wide receiver Pierre Garçon to his left, who caught the pass and hit another gear. The Mount Union product sprinted virtually untouched – despite having several defenders in his way – 70 yards down the sideline for the touchdown.
It was McCoy's first touchdown pass since Dec. 23, 2012, when the then-Cleveland Browns signal caller earned the TD against the Denver Broncos.
McCoy looked poised out there leading the Redskins' offense in the second half, giving Gruden another solid option under center while starter Robert Griffin III continues to recover from a dislocated left ankle suffered Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Pierre Garçon has proven the past three season with the Redskins that he is an absolute monster when he gets the ball in his hands.
After an injury-plaged – yet still productive – 2012 season, Garçon came back in 2013 and was a lone bright spot for the Redskins during a down year, leading the league in catches with 113.
Garçon has continued where he left off this season, and showed those same animalistic instincts against the Titans on Sunday, catching five passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, averaging 17.4 yards per catch in the process.
Garçon had lots of competition for Player of the Game honors, however.
It's hard to ignore a four field goal performance by Forbath, whose kicks kept the Redskins in the game and ultimately won it for Washington
Also, middle linebacker Keenan Robinson was everywhere for the Redskins on Sunday, collecting a game-best 14 tackles.
UNSUNG HEROAnybody who might even come close to questioning Jason Hatcher's passion for the game of football would only need to look at Sunday's game against the Titans to reverse that line of thinking.
On two occasions throughout the game, Hatcher's helmet was ripped clean off by his opponent along the Tennessee offensive line. Instead of giving up on the play, Hatcher kept chugging along towards Titans quarterback Charlie Whitehurst as hard as he could, in one instance forcing an incomplete pass deep in Washington territory.
Hatcher has been just as advertised when he signed with the Redskins as a free agent this offseason. Not only is he an animal along the defensive line – and a handful for anybody who comes into his path – but he is undoubtedly already one of the Redskins' leaders in the locker room.
Hatcher might've just had two tackles Sunday, but his value goes far beyond what he does on the field each and every week.
WHAT'S NEXT
With today's matchup against the Titans now in the past, the Washington Redskins turn their attention to divisional play once again.
The Redskins next Monday travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys for a 8:30 p.m. kickoff at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys took a 5-1 record into today's action, and take on the New York Giants today at 4:25 p.m. in Dallas.
Washington will attempt to even their Monday night record against the Cowboys at 8-8 and earn their first Monday win against the Cowboys since a 14-13 win Sept. 19, 2005.
(For more on this story -- and for much more from the game -- check back with **www.redskins.com*.)*
RELATED LINKS:-- EXCLUSIVE LOOK: Redskins-Titans Behind The Bench-- Redskins Set Sights On Dallas Cowboys
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