2008 Washington Redskins season The 2008 Washington Redskins season was the 76th season for the team in the National Football League . They failed to improve upon their 9 - 7 record from 2007 . They played teams from the NFC West and AFC North as per the schedule rotation , as well as their regular games with NFC East rivals . Offseason . The 2008 offseason opened with the announcement on January 8 , 2008 of the retirement of head coach Joe Gibbs . The Redskins immediately began a national search for a new head coach . On January 25 , 2008 , Jim Zorn was hired as offensive coordinator . The following day , Associate Head Coach Al Saunders and Assistant Head Coach Gregg Williams were fired and Greg Blache was named defensive coordinator . On February 9 , Jim Zorn was hired to be Head Coach . On February 15 , Sherman Smith , the former running backs coach for the Tennessee Titans , was hired as an offensive coordinator . Key departures . On February 26 , 2008 , the Redskins released WR Brandon Lloyd . Lloyd later signed with the Chicago Bears . Mark Brunell , Reche Caldwell , Rick DeMulling , Randall Godfrey , Brian Kozlowski , David Macklin , Keenan McCardell , Pierson Prioleau , Mike Pucillo , and Omar Stoutmire were free agents and not re - signed by the Redskins . On August 30 , the Redskins released veterans Ryan Boschetti ( DT ) , Derrick Frost ( P ) , and Todd Wade ( OT ) . Key additions . On May 27 , 2008 , the Redskins traded a conditional 2009 seventh - round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for DE Erasmus James . According to the terms of the deal , James must play in at least one regular season game in order for the Vikings to receive the draft pick . On July 20 , 2008 , the Redskins traded a 2009 second - round draft pick and a 2010 sixth - round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins for DE Jason Taylor . On November 6 , 2008 , the Redskins signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a one - year contract . 2008 NFL Draft . The Redskins traded their # 21 ( 1st round ) , # 84 ( 3rd round ) , and # 154 ( 5th round ) selections to the Atlanta Falcons for their # 34 ( 2nd round ) , # 48 ( 2nd round ) , and # 103 ( 4th round ) selections . They then traded their # 103 selection to the Tennessee Titans for their # 124 ( 4th round ) and # 157 ( 5th round ) selections . Lastly , they traded their # 157 and # 228 ( 7th round ) selections to the St . Louis Rams for their # 168 ( 6th round ) and # 180 ( 6th round ) selections . Preseason . Hall of Fame Game vs . Indianapolis Colts . Washington started the game on a high note when they recovered a surprise onside kick by the Colts . Three plays later , quarterback Jason Campbell threw a touchdown pass to Antwaan Randle El and gave the Redskins a 7 - 0 lead . The Colts responded on their own drive which ended in a field goal by K Adam Vinatieri . In the second quarter , Colts C Jamey Richard snapped the ball over the head of the QB and it sailed out of the endzone for a safety . Later in the quarter , the Colts scored a touchdown when QB Quinn Gray threw a 30 - yard pass to WR Onrea Jones . After a missed field goal attempt by Shaun Suisham , the Colts were able to end the first half with a field goal of their own making the halftime score Colts 13 - Redskins 10 . The Colts received the ball following halftime and marched down the field to score another field goal . The Redskins responded with a drive resulting in a 20 - yard touchdown pass from QB Colt Brennan to WR Maurice Mann . The Redskins were able to follow up with another touchdown drive when Brennan hit RB Marcus Mason on a 5 - yard pass . After the Colts got the ball back a couple of series later , QB Jared Lorenzen threw an interception to Redskins CB Matteral Richardson who took it back for a touchdown and sealed the victory for the Redskins . The Redskins had two former players , WR Art Monk and CB Darrell Green , inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame . Preseason Week 1 vs . Buffalo Bills . The Redskins received the ball first but immediately gave it to the Bills when RB Marcus Mason fumbled during the kick return . After the turnover , the Redskins defense was able to hold the Bills to a field goal . Later in the 1st quarter , the Redskins drove down the field and RB Clinton Portis scored on a 1 - yard rushing play on a 4th down . Two series later , the Redskins drove down the field again and QB Todd Collins passed to RB Ladell Betts on a screen play which resulted in a 12 - yard touchdown . Buffalo responded with a drive of their own which resulted in a field goal . When the Redskins got the ball back after the field goal , Collins threw a pass which was intercepted by CB Ashton Youboty . QB J . P . Losman threw a touchdown pass to WR James Hardy and the Bills completed a successful 2 - point conversion to tie the game before halftime . The second half was dominated by both defenses and the only score was a 46 - yard field goal by Redskins K Shaun Suisham in the 3rd quarter . Preseason Week 2 at New York Jets . The Jets scored first in this game when newly - signed QB Brett Favre completed a 4 - yard touchdown pass to TE Dustin Keller . The Redskins responded with a drive that ended with a 30 - yard field goal from K Shaun Suisham . The Redskins would have another chance to score later in the 2nd quarter , but that drive ended when QB Derek Devine threw an interception to CB James Ihedigbo at the Jets ' 19 yardline . Neither team would score for the rest of the half . The Redskins received the ball first starting the 3rd quarter and ended a 51 - yard drive with a 36 - yard field goal from Suisham . Later in the 4th quarter , the Jets scored when K Mike Nugent kicked a 43 - yard field goal . After two more drives stalled , the Redskins received the ball with 2 : 04 left in the game . QB Colt Brennan and the Redskins drove down the field and scored a touchdown when Brennan threw a short pass to TE Jason Goode who took it 33 yards to the endzone . The Jets received the ball again and had a chance to tie the game , but K Mike Nugent missed a 23 - yard field goal as time expired . Preseason Week 3 at Carolina Panthers . Although the game was close after the first quarter , the Panthers dominated the second quarter . Both RBs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams rushed for a 50 and 60 yard TDs , respectivelly . WR Steve Smith scored on a fumble recovery and QB Jake Delhomme threw a 24 - yard TD pass to TE Dante Rosario . The Redskins were finally able to get on the scoreboard with a field goal in the 3rd quarter , but only after Delhomme threw a screen pass to Steve Smith for a 33 yard touchdown . The high note for the Redskins was holding the Panthers to just 6 points ( two field goals ) in the 4th quarter . Preseason Week 4 vs . Jacksonville Jaguars . For the second week in a row , the Redskins were held to just a field goal . The Jaguars scored on their second drive when QB David Garrard threw a 3 - yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams . The Jaguars were able to score again early in the second quarter when QB Cleo Lemon threw a 4 - yard TD pass to TE Greg Estandia . Early in the 4th quarter , the Jaguars scored on their first play of the drive when QB Todd Bouman threw a 51 - yard TD pass to WR Troy Williamson . After a 3 - 0 start to the pre - season , the Redskins suffered two consecutive defeats to close out their exhibition games . Regular season . Week 1 : at New York Giants . The Redskins began their 2008 campaign on the road against their NFC East rival and defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants . In this annual kickoff game , coach Jim Zorn made his official NFL head coaching debut . In the first quarter , Washington trailed early as Giants QB Eli Manning closed out their opening drive with a 1 - yard TD run . Later in the quarter , New York added on to their lead when John Carney kicked a 24 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the ' Skins continued to trail as Carney kicked two more field goals of 25 & 47 yards . Near the end of the half , Washington finally got on the board as QB Jason Campbell completed a 12 - yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss . However , the second half was an all - out defensive struggle as New York held on for the win . With the loss , the Redskins began their season at 0 - 1 . Week 2 : vs . New Orleans Saints . Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Giants , the Redskins played their Week 2 home opener against the New Orleans Saints . In the first quarter , the ' Skins took the early lead when Shaun Suisham kicked a 22 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Washington increased its lead with Suisham ' s 36 - yard field goal . The Saints would respond with RB Pierre Thomas ' s 1 - yard TD run and kicker Martín Gramática ' s 49 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , New Orleans increased its lead with QB Drew Brees completing a 19 - yard TD pass to WR Robert Meachem . Afterwards , the ' Skins responded when RB Clinton Portis scored on a 9 - yard TD run ( with a failed 2 - point conversion ) . The Saints responded with a Reggie Bush 55 yard punt return for a touchdown . The Redskins were able to mount a fourth quarter comeback by rallying for 14 points in the final stanza . The comeback started with a Clinton Portis 8 - yard TD run , and was completed when QB Jason Campbell threw a 67 - yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss . With the come from behind win , the Redskins improved to 1 - 1 . Week 3 : vs . Arizona Cardinals . The Redskins remained at home for Week 3 to play the Arizona Cardinals . In the first quarter , the Redskins scored first with RB Clinton Portis scoring on a 3 - yard touchdown run . In the second quarter , Washington increased its lead when Shaun Suisham kicked a 48 - yard field goal . The Cardinals closed out the first half with QB Kurt Warner completing a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin . In the third quarter , Arizona tied the game when kicker Neil Rackers made a 26 - yard field goal attempt . The Redskins responded with QB Jason Campbell completing a 2 - yard TD pass to TE Todd Yoder . Arizona followed with a 62 - yard Warner TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald . In the fourth quarter , the Redskins pulled away with Campbell ' s 17 - yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss . With the win , the Redskins improved to 2 - 1 . Week 4 : at Dallas Cowboys . After defeating the Cardinals at home , the Redskins flew to Texas Stadium for an inter - conference game with the Dallas Cowboys . The Cowboys led early when QB Tony Romo completed a 21 - yard TD pass to TE Jason Witten in the first quarter . In the second quarter , Washington responded with 17 points . QB Jason Campbell threw touchdown passes of 3 & 2 yards to WR James Thrash and WR Antwaan Randle El respectively , and kicker Shaun Suisham added a 20 - yard field goal . Dallas ended the first half scoring with a Nick Folk 36 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Cowboys tied the game with Romo throwing a 10 - yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens . The Redskins answered with a 33 - yard field goal by Suisham . In the fourth quarter , Washington increased its lead with Suisham field goals of 33 & 29 yards . Dallas would score late in the game with an 11 - yard Romo completion to WR Miles Austin . The Cowboys then attempted an onside kick , however , the kick was recovered by the Redskins and they were able to seal the victory . With the win , the Redskins improved to 3 - 1 . Also , head coach Jim Zorn became the first Redskins rookie head coach since George Allen to earn a victory over the Cowboys in Dallas on his first attempt . Week 5 : at Philadelphia Eagles . Coming off a road win over the Cowboys , the Redskins traveled to Lincoln Financial Field for a Week 5 NFC East duel with the Philadelphia Eagles . In the first quarter , the Redskins trailed early as RB Brian Westbrook scored on a 9 - yard TD run and the Eagles DeSean Jackson returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown . In the second quarter , Washington responded with Shaun Suisham kicking field goals of 41 , 48 , and 50 yards . In the third quarter , the Redskins took the lead on a trick play as WR Antwaan Randle El threw an 18 - yard TD pass to TE Chris Cooley . In the fourth quarter , the Redskins increased their lead when Clinton Portis scored on a 4 - yard TD run . Afterwards , the Eagles were unable to rally , only managing a 23 - yard field goal by kicker David Akers . With the win , the Redskins improved to 4 - 1 . Week 6 : vs . St . Louis Rams . The Redskins played the winless St . Louis Rams in week 6 . The Redskins obtained an early lead when RB Clinton Portis scored on a 3 - yard TD run . The Rams responded with a Josh Brown 51 - yard field goal . St . Louis scored again later in the second quarter when free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown . The Rams increased their lead as Brown kicked filed goals of 25 and 44 yards early in the 2nd half . In the fourth quarter , Washington regained the lead with a Shaun Suisham 38 - yard field goal and a Clinton Portis 2 - yard rushing TD . St . Louis would come back to win the game on a 49 - yard Brown field goal . With the unexpected loss , the Redskins fell to 4 - 2 . Week 7 : vs . Cleveland Browns . The Redskins played at home for a Week 7 with the Cleveland Browns visiting . After a scoreless first half , the Redskins scored in the third quarter on a Clinton Portis 3 - yard TD run . The Browns responded when kicker Phil Dawson made a 37 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Washington increased its lead as QB Jason Campbell completed an 18 - yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss . After falling behind 14 - 3 , Cleveland staged a late rally with QB Derek Anderson completing a 1 - yard TD pass to WR Joshua Cribbs and a successful 2 - point conversion pass to WR Braylon Edwards . The Browns had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds of the game , however , Phil Dawson ' s 54 - yard field goal attempt went wide right and the Redskins prevailed . Redskins Season Record : 5 - 2 Week 8 : at Detroit Lions . The Redskins scored first when Shaun Suisham kicked a 25 yard field goal . Detroit running back Rudi Johnson scored on an 11 yard run at the end of the first quarter . In the second quarter , Detroit added to its lead on a 43 yard Jason Hanson field goal . Washington ended the half with another field goal . In the third quarter , the Redskins regained the lead as Suisham made a 45 yard field goal . Washington scored again when Jason Campbell completed a 50 yard pass to wide receiver Santana Moss . In the fourth quarter , Moss returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown . Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky answered with a 17 yard pass to Calvin Johnson . Washington closed out the scoring with a Suisham field goal of 42 yards , and the Redskins won the game 25 - 17 . Redskins Season Record : 6 - 2 Week 9 : vs . Pittsburgh Steelers . The Redskins donned their burgundy uniforms and played at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a special pre - election day edition of Monday Night Football . The Steelers opened the game with a failed onside kick attempt which gave the Redskins position at their opponent ' s 41 yard line . The drive ended with a Shaun Suisham field goal . The Redskins regained possession on a tipped Ben Roethlisberger pass that was intercepted by Cornelius Griffin early in the first quarter . The drive resulted in another field goal giving Washington a 6 - 0 lead over the Steelers . In the second quarter , Steelers ' Jeff Reed scored on a 35 yard field goal . Pittsburgh took the lead as they turned a blocked Ryan Plackemeier punt attempt into a 1 yard touchdown run by Roethlisberger , who exited the game following the score due to an injury to his shoulder and would not return . In the second half , Byron Leftwich entered the game for the injured Roethlisberger . Pittsburgh rusher Willie Parker ran for a touchdown in the third quarter ( with a failed extra point ) . Early in the fourth quarter , Leftwich completed a 5 yard touchdown reception to Santonio Holmes , giving the Steelers a 23 - 6 lead . Jason Campbell appeared to score a rushing touchdown later in the quarter but the ruling was reversed on a Pittsburgh challenge . Byron Leftwich played for only one half and threw for 129 yards . Clinton Portis was held to 51 yards rushing . Jason Campbell was sacked seven times . His streak of avoiding an interception also ended at 249 pass attempts . With the loss , the Redskins entered their bye week 6 - 3 . Week 11 : vs . Dallas Cowboys . Coming off their bye week , the Redskins stayed at home for a Week 11 NFC East rematch with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football . In the first quarter , the ' Skins struck first as QB Jason Campbell completed a 2 - yard TD pass to FB Mike Sellers . In the second quarter , the Cowboys responded with RB Marion Barber 2 - yard TD run . Washington would close out the half with kicker Shaun Suisham nailing a 41 - yard field goal . After a scoreless third quarter , Dallas took the lead when Dallas QB Tony Romo completed a 25 - yard TD pass to TE Martellus Bennett . The ' Skins attempted to mount a comeback , however the Cowboys ' defense was able to secure the win . With the loss , the Redskins fell to 6 - 4 . Week 12 : at Seattle Seahawks . Hoping to rebound from their divisional home loss to the Cowboys , the Redskins flew to Qwest Field for a Week 12 duel with the Seattle Seahawks . In the first quarter , the Redskins trailed early as the Seahawks Olindo Mare kicked a 45 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Washington took the lead as RB Ladell Betts scored on a 1 - yard TD run . Seattle would respond when QB Matt Hasselbeck connected with RB Maurice Morris on a 4 - yard TD pass . In the third quarter , the Redskins took the lead on successive scores by Shaun Suisham ( 26 - yard field goal ) and a Jason Campbell 8 - yard TD pass to WR Antwaan Randle El . In the fourth quarter , the Seahawks tied the game when Hasselbeck completed a 10 - yard TD pass to TE John Carlson . Afterwards , Washington regained the lead as Suisham nailed a 22 - yard field goal . Late in the game , a Ledell Betts fumble opened the door for a Seattle comeback . However , Matt Hasselbeck threw an interception to CB Shawn Springs on the first play of the series with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game . The Redskins ran out the clock , and sealed the win in Seattle . The game marked the return of Redskins head coach Jim Zorn and running back Shaun Alexander to their former team . Clinton Portis , who was questionable to play , led the running game with 143 yards . Washington ended a 2 - game losing streak with the win . With the win , Washington improved to 7 - 4 . Week 13 : vs . New York Giants . The Redskins played at home for an NFC East division rematch against the New York Giants . Prior to the game , the franchise held a pregame ceremony where the late Sean Taylor was added to the Redskins Ring of Honor . In the first quarter , Washington trailed early as Giants quarterback Eli Manning completed a 40 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amani Toomer . New York kicker John Carney also scored on a 31 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the Redskins continued to trail as Carney kicked a 38 - yard field goal . Washington would close out the half as rookie wide receiver Devin Thomas ran for a 29 - yard touchdown . In the third quarter , New York answered with running back Brandon Jacobs scoring on a 1 - yard touchdown run . In the fourth quarter , the Giants pulled away as Carney connected on a 39 - yard field goal . Redskins Season Record : 7 - 5 Week 14 : at Baltimore Ravens . Washington traveled to Baltimore for an inter - conference game against the Ravens . Washington won the toss , and elected to receive the opening kick . Washington quarterback Jason Campbell was intercepted early in the drive by Ravens safety Ed Reed . Baltimore running back Le ' Ron McClain converted the turnover into points when he scored a rushing TD on the ensuing Ravens possession . Later in the first quarter , the Ravens defense struck for a defensive touchdown when Ed Reed recovered a fumble from Washington running back Clinton Portis . In the third quarter , Ravens kicker Matt Stover extended the Ravens lead with a 32 - yard field goal . Early in the fourth quarter , Washington got on the board with a Shaun Suisham 43 - yard field goal . Baltimore running back Willis McGahee fumbled on the Raven ' s next possession , and the Redskins cut the Ravens lead to 17 - 10 on a touchdown pass to Antwaan Randle - El . The Redskins defense was unable to come up with another stop , and the Ravens ended their next drive with quarterback Joe Flacco throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Derrick Mason . Redskins Season Record : 7 - 6 Week 15 : at Cincinnati Bengals . The Redskins fumbled the ball on their first possession , and it gave the Bengals field position at the Redskins ' 41 yard line . Cincinnati quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick scored in the first quarter with a 1 - yard run . Fitzpatrick would score again in the quarter with a pass to wide receiver Chris Henry . The Bengals began the second quarter with a Shayne Graham field goal . The Redskins later scored when quarterback Jason Campbell threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Santana Moss halfway through the quarter . Shaun Suisham successfully kicked a short field goal near the end of the first half . The Bengals and Redskins exchanged field goals in the fourth quarter . The loss dropped the Redskins to 7 - 7 and removed them from reaching the playoffs for the second straight season . Week 16 : vs . Philadelphia Eagles . Hoping to rebound from their embarrassing road loss to the Bengals , the Redskins went home for a Week 16 NFC East rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles . The game went scoreless until the Redskins were able to put together a long second quarter scoring drive . The drive began on their own 14 - yard line with 11 : 55 left in the half , and ended 8½ minutes later on Shaun Suisham ' s 33 - yard field goal . The Redskins intercepted Donovan McNabb in the third quarter , and took possession of the ball at the Philadelphia 19 - yard line . Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley each helped move the ball to the 1 - yard line , and Portis culminated the short drive with a touchdown run . A 47 - yard pass in the third quarter from Donovan McNabb to Brian Westbrook put the Eagles in position to score . They failed to convert a 3rd and 3 from the Washington 5 - yard line , and settled for a 22 - yard field goal by David Akers . With 3 : 48 left in the game , the Eagles began a long drive that began at their own 9 - yard line . With the ball at the Redskins 18 - yard line and 12 seconds left in the game , Donovan McNabb completed a 17 - yard pass to Reggie Brown . Fred Smoot and LaRon Landry tackled Brown to prevent him from breaking the goal line . With no timeouts remaining , the Eagles were unable to stop the clock or complete another play . The play was reviewed from the replay booth , and it was determined that Brown did not break the plane of the goal line and the on - field ruling was upheld . With the win , Washington improved to 8 - 7 and swept the season series from the Eagles for the first time since 2005 . Week 17 : at San Francisco 49ers . Coming off their divisional home win over the Eagles , the Redskins closed out their season at Bill Walsh Field at Candlestick Park in a Week 17 duel with the San Francisco 49ers . Washington trailed early in the first quarter as 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill got a 2 - yard touchdown run . The Redskins would respond in the second quarter with running back Clinton Portis ' 4 - yard touchdown run , kicker Shaun Suisham ' s 41 - yard field goal , and quarterback Jason Campbell ' s 6 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antwaan Randle El . In the third quarter , San Francisco answered with running back DeShaun Foster scroing on a 1 - yard touchdown run . In the fourth quarter , the 49ers took the lead as Hill completed a 9 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Hill and a 33 - yeard field goal by 49ers kicker Joe Nedney . Washington tied the game as Campbell scored on a 2 - yard touchdown run , however San Francisco prevailed as Nedney kicked a game - winning 39 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Redskins ' season ended at 8 - 8 .