Redskins end season with a big win

The Redskins (6-10) rallied to give a spirited finishing performance to Joe Gibbs' disappointing comeback season, his worst in 13 years with the Redskins. But the 21-18 win over a good Minnesota team should give reason to expect a much better record next year. The Hall of Fame coach plans to keep working nonstop to restore his legacy. ``I'm anxious to get started. The offseason will be a big time for us. I think it will be one of the most important six months of my coaching career, trying to help ourselves every way we can,'' Gibbs said. ``I think the most important thing is that our guys went and finished strong. I think they made a commitment there with nothing on the line but pride.''

Patrick Ramsey completed 17 of 26 passes for 216 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and looked like a capable quarterback for a Joe Gibbs offense. Ladell Betts ran 26 times for a career-high 118 yards subbing for injured back Clinton Portis.  Betts ran harder and looked every bit as good as Portis, which should make the Redskins think about who should be the starter next year. The Redskins scored more than two touchdowns for only the second time all season. ``Maybe they didn't think we had anything to play for,'' defensive end Renaldo Wynn said. ``They don't know this team.''

The defense rattled Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper with four sacks and several times forced him to throw the ball away. Culpepper completed 27 of 44 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. His last pass was a 38-yard desperation touchdown to Marcus Robinson with 2 seconds remaining, as the Vikings drove 80 yards in the last two minutes of the game.

Assistant head coach Greg Williams, again did a masterful job with the defense, which was without several key starters. Minnesota which had the third best offense in the NFL and needing a win to guarantee making the playoffs, looked confused and out-manned most of the game. The Vikings last and desparate 80-yard drive dropped the Redskins to third in defense after being second in the league for most of the season. But so what. Their gutty performance Sunday proved what kind of defense they have and the future looks bright.