By Ryan O’Halloran
The Redskins and New England meet Sunday for the first time since October 28, 2007, and the last game was all Patriots – a 52-7 win.
And to think the Redskins came into the game with a 4-2 record and some momentum.
It was quickly erased.
The Patriots improved to 8-0 and posted their highest point total since 1979 (they scored 56 two games later) as Tom Brady threw three touchdowns and rushed for two scores.
It remains the fourth-worst defeat in franchise history and was the most lopsided in Joe Gibbs’ coaching career.
Covering the team for the Washington Times that day in Massachusetts, I remember approaching left guard Pete Kendall – one of the all-time Redskins Good Guys – and saying, “Well, that was thorough.”
Pete said: “They’re the best team I’ve played in my career. They were methodical in everything they did. Whatever is said and written about us, I’m in no position to dispute anything.”
Some Redskins balked at New England scoring touchdowns instead of kicking field goals or giving it up on downs. Not Pete or Joe.
“I don’t take any umbrage with that,” Kendall said.
The Redskins rebounded with a December To Remember to make the playoffs. Gibbs retired, the coaching search was bungled and the franchise is still trying to recover.
New England would remain undefeated until getting upset by the Giants in the Super Bowl.
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