Unfinished Business.

Last season after the death of their All-Pro safety Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins won four of their last five games to make the playoffs. Even winning their final four regular season games without quarterback Jason Campbell who dislocated his knee.

If you think the Redskins have forgotten last season's run to the playoffs, or the motivation behind it, then you don't know these Washington Redskins

November 25, 2007 Week 12 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

The Redskins go into Tampa Bay with a 5-5 record looking to gain some momentum as the regular season goes into the home stretch. Washington started out 3-1 but dropped three of their last four games heading into this contest.

The Skins would fall 19-13 as Jason Campbell threw two interceptions, the latter coming in the final five minutes. The Skins were also stopped on a fourth and one from the Tampa 3 yard line. The Skins were out of answers as the season had spun out of control.

Other than pride, the Redskins had little to play for...

In the early morning hours of November 26th. Redskins Pro-Bowl Safety Sean Taylor was shot during a home invasion at his residence in Miami. Taylor 24, who was at home with his girlfriend and their young daughter would succomb to his wounds on November 27th. Taylor did not travel with the team because he was nursing a strained right knee.

The NFL and the Washington Redskins family were in complete shock. Taylor was one of the young stars in the league as well as the emotional leader of the Redskins defense. The NFL was still reeling from the death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams as he left a nightclub New Year's Eve. Taylor had issues early on in his career, but by the testament of coaches and teammates the birth of his daughter seemed to change his life.

Less forgiving were some in the media, who portrayed Taylor in death as someone who "had it coming."

The outpouring of love for Taylor continued days after his passing. The most touching tributes came from Taylor's father also teammate and fellow University of Miami alumnus Clinton Portis.

"You wonder how you speak about a man you admired," Portis said. "You wonder how you speak about a man who means so much to you." Portis talked about the personal transformation Taylor had made in his time as an NFL player, saying, "Sean was at peace in his life. He was always smiling in the locker room. He came to work with the right attitude."

December 2, 2007 Week 13 vs. Buffalo Bills: It was an emotion filled day at FedEx Field as the Redskins held a pregame memorial for Taylor.  Washington began their first defensive series with 10 players as a tribute to Taylor. Washington would lead for most of the game. As time ticked away Buffalo was setting up to attempt a 51-yard field goal for the win, but not before coach Joe Gibbs called a timeout to try and ice kicker Ryan Lindell. Strangely enough Gibbs would call a second timeout, drawing a 15-yard penalty now turning the 51-yard attempt into a 36-yard chip shot. Lindell would split the uprights giving the Bills a 17-16 victory.

The Skins were now 5-7, barring a miracle they would be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

December 6, 2007 vs. Chicago Bears

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