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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:31 a.m., Sunday, October 12, 2008

NFL: Winless Rams upset Redskins 19-17 on 49-yard FG

By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer

LANDOVER, Md. — Josh Brown kicked a 49-yard field goal on the last play of the game today, giving the St. Louis Rams a 19-17 upset of the Washington Redskins to end an eight-game losing streak over two seasons and make Jim Haslett a winner in his St. Louis head coaching debut.

It takes a fluke play or two for a winless, two-touchdown underdog to pull off the stunner. The Rams got one at the perfect time in the first half against the Redskins, then pulled off the win in the final minute with a big third-and-long pass.

The Redskins (4-2) overcame a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit and appeared set to win their fifth straight game when Clinton Portis' 2-yard run with 3:47 to play gave Washington a 17-16 lead. But the Rams had enough time to mount a comeback, and Marc Bulger hit Donnie Avery down the right sideline for a 43-yard gain on third-and-13 to move into field goal territory.

But the Rams (1-4), being the Rams, nearly botched the game from there. While St. Louis was trying to kill the clock to set up for an easy field goal attempt, offensive lineman Richie Incognito was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for aiming some choice words at an official. The 15-yard infraction made Brown's kick no longer a gimmie, but he still managed to nail his fourth field goal of the game.