The 49ers 2008 season came to an exciting conclusion with a 39-yard field goal by kicker Joe Nedney as time expired for a 27-24 victory over the Redskins.
The 49ers took a seven-point lead with 5:06 left in the game on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Shaun Hill to Jason Hill, but the Redskins then enjoyed a long kickoff return by Rocky Cartwright out to their 45.
Jason Campbell came up with a 23-yard scramble a few plays later to set the Redskins up at the 9-yardline at the two minute warning. on 4th and 2, Campbell scrambled up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown. Kicker Shaun Suisham hit the extra point to tie the game.
Hill took over with 1:02 remaining and converted a critical 3rd and 1 from their 36 with a 19-yard throw to Michael Robinson to move into Redskins territory. After spiking the ball, Hill's 24-yard toss to Bryant Johnson set the 49ers up at the 21-yardline. As time expired, Nedney hit the game winner.
Just minutes after the conclusion of the game, the 49ers announced they planned to enter contract negotiations to keep Mike Singletary as their head coach.
1st Quarter Scoring Summary
The 49ers started the game with a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive that was finished off by a 2-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Shaun Hill. The opening drive was highlighed by a 29-yard Hill pass to tight end Billy Bajema, only his second reception of the season.
The 49ers drove to the Redskins 29-yardline on the second series of the game, but stalled on a 3rd and 1 pass play to Isaac Bruce that lost a yard. Joe Nedney pulled his 48-yard field goal wide right, allowing the Redskins to take over on downs at their 38.
2nd Quarter Scoring Summary
With 14:20 to go in the second quarter, Redskins running back Clinton Portis exploded through the line and into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown to even the game at 7-7. Portis' run completed a 10-play, 62-yard scoring drive.
After starting off the game 6 of 6, Hill was intercepted by cornerback Carlos Rogers on a throw intended for Josh Morgan. Rogers returned the ball to the 49ers 23-yardline before Hill tackled him by the ankles.
The Redskins couldn't pick up a single yard with LB Manny Lawson almost intercepting Jason Campbell, but Washington still got on the board with a 41-yard field goal by kicker Shaun Suisham. The field goal gave the Redskins a 10-7 lead with 11:32 to go in the quarter.
With 26 seconds to go in the first half, Antwaan Randle El caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Campbell to increase the Redskins lead to 17-6. The TD reception mopped off a 16-play, 78-yard scoring drive that ate up over nine minutes. (Three defensive starters left the field during the drive: LB Manny Lawson, S Mark Roman and S Michael Lewis).
3rd Quarter Scoring Summary
Takeo Spikes' recovery of a Clinton Portis fumble set the 49ers offense up at the Redskins 38-yardline for their first possession of the second half. The 49ers used five straight run plays to reach the end zone. Gore started things off with two carries for 19 yards, followed by an 18-yard rush by DeShaun Foster. Foster's long run set the offense up at the 1-yardline, and on his second try, Foster punched it in for a 1-yard TD. The score trimmed the Redskins lead to 17-14.
4th Quarter Scoring Summary
With 9:53 to go in the game, the 49ers recaptured a 21-17 lead with an 8-play, 80-yard scoring drive that was completed with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Shaun Hill to Jason Hill. Hill caught the ball aroudn the six-yardline and then headed out to his right before diving for the pylon. The drive included only one run play, but it was a critical one as Michael Robinson picked up a first down with a 2-yard carry on a 3rd and 1 at the Redskins 11. But the series was highlighted by a few impressive receptions, including Robinson's leap to haul in a 24-yard grab at the Redskins 20. Bryant Johnson also came back to the ball to catch an underthrown 19-yard pass over the middle to ignite the drive. Foster also made a one-handed grab while on the move to pick up 12 yards into Redskins territory.
Joe Nedney's 33-yard field goal with 5:06 left in the game finished off a quick 5-play, 34-yard scoring drive that put the 49ers up by 7 points (24-17). A 35-yard punt return by Allen Rossum set the 49ers up with solid field position on the drive, with Shaun Hill then immediately connecting with Josh Morgan on a deep ball over the middle for a 26-yard gain into Redskins territory.
A long return by Rocky Cartwright out to their 45 helped the Redskins out with excellent field position. Jason Campbell got them even closer with a 23-yard scramble down to the 49ers 9-yardline at the two-minute mark. On 4th and 2, Campbell rushed up the middle for the score. The extra point tied it, but the 49ers weren't down for the count.
With 1:02 to work with, Hill completed a 3rd and 1 pass to Michael Robinson for 19 yards, and then found Bryant Johnson for a 24-yard completion at the 21. Joe Nedney then won the game as time expired with his 39-yard field goal.
