Redskins Left Kicking Themselves (Again) After Loss to Saints

The Washington Redskins were on the verge of handing the New Orleans Saints their first loss of the season">Washington Redskins were on the verge of handing the New Orleans Saints their first loss of the season in what would have been one of the most shocking upsets of the year.

Instead, they find themselves frustrated, missing another opportunity to come through with a win because of a missed field goal by kicker Shaun Suisham.

With 1:56 left in the game, the Redskins were holding on to a 30-23 lead at the Saints' four-yard line. All the Redskins had to do was kick a field goal, which would have increased the lead to 10 and most likely put an end to the Saints' undefeated season.

Instead, Suisham's 23-yard field goal attempt went wide right, allowing the Saints new life and a chance to tie the game. Five plays later, Saints quarterback Drew Brees found wide receiver Robert Meachem for 53 yards down the middle to tie the game 30-30 before New Orleans went on to win in overtime.

The Redskins have now lost three games in a row by a combined seven points. While Suisham made his only field goal attempt against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, he missed two field goals from 39 yards and 50 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11 that ended up making a difference in a 7-6 loss.

With the loss, the Redskins drop to 3-9 on the season and are left thinking about the respect they would have earned being the first team to beat the Saints all season. All they had to do was kick a 23-yard field goal that would have sealed the game. 

Unfortunately, the missed chip shot is just a small chapter of this season's story for the Redskins and their fans.

Dan Parzych is the founder of the new NFCEastFootball.com