Redskins Run Wild Over Lions

Twenty minutes of Stephen Davis was more than enough for the Washington Redskins. It was way too much for the Detroit Lions.

Davis entered Saturday's NFC wild-card game with a sore ankle and left with a sprained knee. In between, he revitalized the Redskins' running game with 119 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns to lead Washington to victory in its first playoff game in seven years, 27-13 over the mistake-prone Lions.

"I gave Stephen Davis a game ball," coach Norv Turner said. "But he can't collect it unless he plays against Tampa."

For a few hours at least, the Redskins were able to revel in a rout that had them leading 27-0 at halftime. It was their fifth straight home victory, and now they have to do something they haven't done all year: Win a big away game.

"You don't want to get too complacent and say we've arrived, because we haven't," guard Keith Sims said. "Now we've got to go on the road."

Davis ran for an NFC-high 1,405 yards this season, but hadn't played since spraining his ankle Dec. 19 at Indianapolis. Davis was in pain as he practiced last week, and Turner was concerned that his Pro Bowl back wouldn't be able to play the entire game. Davis responded with two runs for 30-plus yards before the new injury forced him out.

"He's abslutely what makes this whole show go," Sims said.

The Lions haven't won a road playoff game since 1957 and are 0-20 against the Redskins in Washington, including 0-3 in postseason. The Lions were in the playoffs for the fifth time in seven years, but have yet to advance.

Former Redskins quarterback Gus Frerotte was heckled, and banners invited him to reprise his infamous head-butt into the wall from two seasons ago as he returned to Washington for the first time. Frerotte was essentially a non-factor because the Lions don't have a running game and his line didn't give him time to throw.

"Gus at times just didn't get a chance to even turn around," Detroit coach Bobby Ross said.

Frerotte was sacked on the first play of the game, dislocating a finger on his non-throwing hand in the process, and had to use a timeout after the second play. He finished 21-for-46 for 251 yards and two interceptions and was sacked five times.

When Detroit beat Washington five weeks ago, the Redskins were undone by 14 penalties, five sacks and four turnovers. The rematch was a mirror image, with the Lions committing 12 penalties for 126 yards, two turnovers and allowing five sacks.

AP

Redskins running back Stephen Davis busts loose for a 58-yard run.

The Redskins were nearly flawless as they scored on five of their first six possessions, although the Lions graciously helped more than once with ill-timed penalties. Washington had just oe penalty, no turnovers and allowed no sacks in the 27-point first half.

"The first half, that's as good as our team can play," Turner said.

A running-into-the-punter penalty on Clint Kriewaldt and a 41-yard pass interference call against Bryant Westbrook on Washington's opening drive set up the first touchdown, a 1-yard run by Davis.

Despite the loss of Heck, Davis started the next drive with a 58-yard scamper and ended it with a 4-yard run behind Pro Bowl guard Tre Johnson.

Champ Bailey's interception and a personal foul on Lions linebacker Allen Aldridge for shoving a forearm into Brad Johnson's helmet set up the Redskins' next score, a 33-yard field goal by Brett Conway. Davis had a 32-yard run before getting hurt on the next drive, which ended with a 23-yarder from Conway.

Brad Johnson hit Albert Connell for a 30-yard touchdown to make it 27-0 with 1:19 left in the first half.

With the game essentially over, the highlight of the second half was a fight between Brad Johnson and Robert Porcher, started when Johnson retaliated after Porcher threw a block following an interception. Several players joined in, and the Redskins lost their third offensive starter of the game when Tre Johnson was ejected for grabbing an official's head and pulling off the official's cap.

"I've been watching a little of WWF," Brad Johnson said. "I felt like I won that one."

The Lions scored twice in the final 10 minutes to avoid the shutout. Ron Rice returned Lamar Campbell's blocked field goal 94 yards for a touchdown, and Frerotte hit Ron Rivers for a 5-yard TD pass on the last play of the game.

Notes