Our NBA team is imploding. Our NFL and MLB teams have imploded. Our MLS team missed the playoffs. And everyone waits in horror for a Caps playoff meltdown. Sports means pain for Washington, D.C. area fans. Need proof? Here are the city’s 10 worst losses of the past decade:
10. Padres 8, Nationals 5
Sept. 17, 2005 » The Darlings of D.C. after moving from Montreal, the Nats were hanging on in the NL Wild Card race — just two games back of the Phillies with 14 left. But up 5-0 with two outs in ninth, closer Chad Cordero gave up a grand slam to Khalil Greene and lost on a 12th-inning homer. Let’s just say things haven’t gone well since.
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9. Saints 33, Redskins 30 (OT)
Dec. 6, 2009 » The pain is so fresh for Redskins fans. Washington was up seven with 1:52 to play and about to stun the unbeaten New Orleans Saints, but kicker Shaun Suisham botched a 23-yard field goal. The Saints marched down field for the game-tying touchdown and New Orleans won it with an overtime field goal.
The sad thing about the Washington sports scene is that there were plenty of other deserving candidates left off the Top 10 list. It’s hard to forget Georgetown — coming off a Final Four appearance — blowing a 17-point second-half lead in an NCAA Tournament loss to Davidson two years ago. The Caps have had so many bad losses we didn’t even mention the 2-1 triple-overtime playoff defeat to Tampa Bay in 2003. That came in Game 6 after Washington had earlier led the series 2-0. It also directly led to the team blowing up its entire roster before the NHL lockout. Want more? How about the Redskins’ two playoff losses at Seattle in 2005 and 2008. Both times Washington was in the game late. Both times it flew back across the continent a loser.
8. Penguins 4, Capitals 3 (OT)
April 24, 2001 » The Caps easily won their second straight Southeast Division title. But Pittsburgh was waiting for them in the playoffs — again. The Caps lost three times by a single goal, including in overtime of Game 6. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar lost a bouncing puck at the blueline to Martin Straka, who streaked down the ice for a series-clinching goal.
7. Duke 98, Maryland 96 (OT)
Jan. 27, 2001 » The Terrapins were headed for a breakthrough win over the Blue Devils, who had tortured them so often. Up 12 late, the Cole Field House crowd starting chanting the game was over. Uh-oh! Steve Blake fouled out and the Terps fell apart, blowing a 10-point lead with 54 seconds left and losing in overtime.
6. Bills 17, Redskins 16
Dec. 2, 2007 » Safety Sean Taylor had just died and the Redskins dedicated this game — and the rest of the season — to him. One win wasn’t going to bring their friend back after his tragic death, of course. But the Redskins were still heartbroken when a Joe Gibbs timeout led to a 15-yard penalty and gave Buffalo a better chance at a game-winning field goal. Although the Skins did bounce back and win four straight after this game to make the playoffs.
5. Flyers 3, Capitals 2 (OT)
April 21, 2008 » The first playoff series in five years ended in an instant as Philadelphia stunned Verizon Center with a Game 7 overtime goal. Just like that, a brilliant run — 11 of 12 wins to close the regular season and make playoffs — was over. But was it the start of the greatest era in team history? Or is there more heartache in store?
4. Cavaliers 114, Wizards 113 (OT)
May 5, 2006 » Whatever “rivalry” the Cavs and Wizards had ended with this playoff loss at Verizon Center. Washington had already dropped two games in Cleveland by one point each during the series. With LeBron James arrogantly whispering in Gilbert Arenas’ ear, the Wizards guard missed two critical free throws in overtime and Damon Jones nailed a series-clinching 3-pointer. Dagger!.
3. Penguins 6, Capitals 2
May 13, 2009 » The third Game 7 at Verizon Center in just over a year. But the Caps gave up two goals in the first period and were never in it as Pittsburgh ended the Caps’ season with a blowout victory. When the Penguins went on to sweep heavy underdog Carolina in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Caps could only wonder what would have been.
2. Buccaneers 14, Redskins 13
Jan. 15, 2000 » Other Redskins playoff teams this decade had limited hopes of winning a title. This group, though, won the NFC East, beat Detroit in a wild card game and was one kick away from advancing to the conference final. Washington led 13-0 late in third quarter and lost. A bad snap prevented them from even attempting a 51-yard field goal in the final minute.
1. Duke 95, Maryland 84
March 31, 2001 » You shake off a devastating loss to your biggest rival — see No. 6 — and somehow pull out of ensuing tailspin and make the NCAA Tournament. Your long-suffering program then reaches it’s first Final Four. Up 22 on your biggest rival in semifinals — revenge in sight — you blow the lead and the game. You are the Maryland Terrapins. Luckily they won it all in 2002 or College Park may have been burned to the ground.
