Memphis Triumphs in Tight Defensive Battle Against Washington

In a game dominated by defensive grit and field goals, the Memphis Showboats emerged victorious, defeating the Washington Federals 22-13 at RFK Memorial Stadium. Memphis kicker Alan Duncan proved to be the star of the day, converting five field goals, including two long-range strikes from 50 and 51 yards. Memphis quarterback Walter Lewis directed a balanced offensive attack, combining 243 rushing yards from the Showboats’ ground game with his precise short passing to control possession. Running back Harry Sydney contributed the game’s lone rushing touchdown, helping Memphis jump out to an early lead.

Washington struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, despite a spirited second-quarter surge. Steve Sewell’s electrifying 21-yard touchdown run and a 47-yard field goal from Jeff Brockhaus narrowed Memphis’s lead to 13-10 at halftime. However, costly drops and inefficient third-down execution hampered their offense in the second half. Memphis’s defense, led by Ray Odums with 10 tackles and Mike Grant’s disruptive presence, stymied the Federals’ passing attack, holding quarterback Mike Collier to a passer rating of 59.0 and forcing a crucial turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter.

The Federals displayed flashes of promise, including a stellar kickoff return game from Mike Robinson, who averaged 30.3 yards per return. Still, it was the steadiness of Memphis’s special teams and their ability to convert red-zone opportunities into points that sealed the victory. With the win, Memphis improves to 9-5, bolstering their playoff aspirations, while Washington falls to 8-6, facing an uphill battle to secure their postseason berth in a competitive division.