EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The countdown has begun for the Washington Redskins.
Desperately needing a win to remain in contention for an NFC wild-card spot, Washington could not shake loose from its offensive woes yesterday, and the New York Giants blocked a field-goal try by James Tuthill late in the fourth quarter to seal a 19-17 victory before a wet and cold crowd of 78,727 at Giants Stadium.
The Redskins fell to 4-6 and 0-2 in the NFC East. They are three games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles (7-3, 3-0) and two back of New York (6-4, 2-1).
Washington's third two-game losing streak of the season officially put the team on the clock, coach Steve Spurrier said.
"Basically, when you get eight losses, you're out of it," he said. "Until we've got eight losses, we're mathematically still alive."
The rain that pelted North Jersey all afternoon couldn't wash away the Washington offense's struggles, as the unit had just 65 yards of total offense in the second half and 166 for the game.
The Redskins had nine fewer first downs than New York (21-12), had possession of the ball for about 13 fewer minutes (36:42-23:18) and ran 26 fewer plays (84-58).
Quarterback Shane Matthews, who earned the starting role after rookie Patrick Ramsey played poorly in a 30-9 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 20, earned his third consecutive sub-60 passer rating. He connected on 15 of 35 passes (42.9 percent) for 113 yards, was sacked twice and threw an interception for a 58.4 rating.
Matthews, a career 60 percent passer who has completed less than 50 percent of his throws in three of the past four games, may have played himself out of the starting role.
Spurrier, who moved Danny Wuerffel up from the emergency position to the No. 2 spot before the game, did not reject the idea of a fourth quarterback switch this season.
"We'll look at it," Spurrier said. "We'll look at anything. We've got to do something to give some excitement to this offense. I'm not sure what it is right now, but we've got to do something."
Said Matthews, who threw touchdown passes to wide receivers Willie Jackson and Rod Gardner: "I'd like to think that [I'm still the starter]. I'm extremely frustrated."
Washington ran the ball just 21 times, with Stephen Davis carrying it 19 times for 59 yards. Afterward, Davis contended that the team's best route to success is through the running game.
"What we do best is run the ball," said Davis, who touched the ball just eight times in the second half. "We've got to do more of that and pass the ball when we have the opportunity."
Washington actually took a 17-10 lead early in the third quarter. After a 10-10 tie at halftime, Giants quarterback Kerry Collins (22-for-46 for 211 yards and a touchdown) threw his second interception of the game when Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey batted upward a slant to wide receiver Amani Toomer and free safety David Terrell returned the ball to New York's 11-yard line.
On the next play, Matthews lobbed an off-balance pass that seemed headed for a certain interception in the end zone. But Gardner (five catches for 47 yards) jumped and caught the ball among six Giants defenders with 11:53 left in the period.
After Matt Bryant converted a 34-yard field goal to cut the Redskins' lead to 17-13 with 2:56 left in the quarter, Ladell Betts fumbled on the ensuing kick return and Marcellus Rivers recovered at Washington's 37.
Five plays later, Bryant nailed a 33-yarder to make it a one-point deficit.
The Redskins' next possession ended in three plays as Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn picked off Matthews' pass intended for wide receiver Derrius Thompson on an out pattern at Washington's 40.
Bryant kicked his fourth field goal of the afternoon from 19 yards to give New York a 19-17 edge.
The teams traded possessions before Washington threatened to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter. The offense marched 39 yards, stalling at the Giants' 25.
Tuthill, who had missed twice in 11 field-goal attempts, took a shot from 42 yards, but Lance Legree blocked the kick and Omar Stoutmire picked up the loose ball and returned it to the Redskins' 48.
"Should've made it," said Tuthill, who slipped on the muddy field before the attempt. "I know that if my plant foot stuck and I kicked the field goal, it would've gone through."
Spurrier seemed incredulous that long snapper Ethan Albright, who said afterward that the ball was wet, forgot to ask for a drier ball.
"Ethan didn't know he could ask for a new ball, and I said, 'Gosh, as much as you've been snapping,' " Spurrier said. "But that's just one of those plays."
But Albright said the wetness didn't affect the snap, saying: "I've had worse in my hands on game day."