Graham Gano, the latest in a long line of mediocre kickers for the Washington Redskins, missed 2-of-3 field goals in a 27-24 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday at FedEx Field.
Dan Bailey kicked a 39-yard field goal to give the Cowboys the win in overtime.
Rex Grossman led Washington on an 89-yard drive capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Donte Stallworth to tie the score at 24 with 14 seconds left. Grossman had one of his better outings, connecting on 25-of-38 passes for 289 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Grossman also ran for a touchdown.
Jabar Gaffney contributed a strong effort for Washington with seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Redskins’ overrated bend and break defense allowed Tony Romo to throw for 292 yards and three touchdowns.
Gano could have won the game with a 52-yard kick in overtime, but the kick sailed to the right. In the third quarter, with the Redskins up 17-10, Gano missed a 49-yarder. Both misses were long field goals, but the fact is that Gano has been the most inconsistent kicker in the NFL during his short two-year career.
Much of the blame for the Redskins’ six-game losing streak will be again focused on the play of the quarterbacks, running game and play-calling, and rightfully so. But the Redskins’ kicking game is once again among the worst in the NFL.
The Redskins have had six key offensive players injured for parts of the season, and three starters are out for the year. Still, if the Redskins had a better kicker, they might have another two wins.
Gano has made just 16-of-24 kicks in 2011, a rate of less than 67 percent, good for 31st in the NFL. Only Jay Feely of Arizona is making kicks at a lower rate than Gano.
To read the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
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