Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden had been waiting for the special teams unit to come through with big plays.
He got several during the Washington Redskins' 19-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, as kicker Kai Forbath converted on all four of his field goal attempts, punter Tress Way once again boomed a 50-plus-yard punt and Niles Paul scooped up a botched punt return that would eventually put points on the board.
Forbath – who received a game ball for his efforts from Gruden after the game – was on point throughout the afternoon despite the fact that the wind occasionally picked up, and the game's outcome was decided on his last second field goal attempt.
"I was literally telling myself this is a PAT [point after touchdown]," Forbath told the media after the game. "You know, I do this every day in practice, every day in games. Nothing needs to change. So that's exactly what I did."
On the season, the UCLA product is now 11-for-12 on his field-goal attempts.
But, while Forbath's accuracy was greatly needed in a game in which both teams struggled to capitalize in the red zone, perhaps the biggest special teams play came halfway through the third quarter when Way's pooched punt was mishandled by Titans returner Dexter McCluster.
Kicking from the 50-yard line, Way's punt was fielded by McCluster at the 22-yard line, but the second-team All-Pro couldn't get a handle on the ball, fumbling it right into Paul's waiting hands.
"We've been in desperate need of a game-changing special teams play," Paul said after the game. "And we got one and we've got to keep making plays.
"Special teams has to be the difference in games."
After some slipups early in the season, fullback Darrel Young said it was nice to have such a positive special teams play.
"After being on this team and having a rough couple starts in the beginning of my career in terms of missed field goals, extra points, just bad special teams play on everyone's part, it's just good to actually put ourselves in a situation where the special teams coach isn't question," he said. "It's just a good feeling."
RELATED LINKS:--Article: Kai Forbath's Boot Nets Redskins Victory
--Gallery: Excluisve Look At Redskins' Sideline, Week 7
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