Ugh. Really. I’m at the point now where I never want to see Washington attempt another wide receiver end around again. While the play had its heyday about twenty years ago, I cannot remember the last time Washington executed the offensive gimmick in a satisfying way. Surely there is a successful occasion of its execution that a mind untrammeled by the frustration of this past weekend might recall (feel free to have your way with me, commenters!) but to my memory, it seems to be, in the hands of the Redskins, a complicated way to pick up seven yards at best.

At worst, we get what we got Sunday: a stripped ball resulting in a defensive touchdown. In a game in which both offenses seemed to be hell-bent on stockpiling enough venial sins to fill a confessional, Santana Moss’ fumble was the lone mortal sin. And it cost, providing the difference in a 17-14 loss.

That botched play ended up wasting an otherwise fantastic outing by the Washington defense, who gave up one big play – a long pass-and-run down the middle by Donald Lee that positioned the Green Bay offense for their only touchdown. Otherwise, the defense held Brett Favre and his latest collection of supporting players (“Vernand Morency” sounds more like a term used in French agronomics than it does a football player’s name) admirably in check throughout the rest of the game. Even without Marcus Washington, the Redskins’ D shut down Green Bay’s rushers, chased the Packers off the field on third downs, and only allowed their opponent three drives that went beyond thirty yards.