But the 6-2 record was hiding offensive weaknesses. Washington's offense had scored just 17 points, 14 points and 18 points (not counting a punt return touchdown by Santana Moss) in its past three games against weak sisters St. Louis, Cleveland and Detroit.

Those problems now have been fully exposed in the wake of Washington's fourth defeat in five games. The Redskins scored just six, 10, seven and 10 in those four losses against the ferocious defenses of Pittsburgh, Dallas, the New York Giants and Baltimore.

The Redskins have sunk to 29th in scoring, ahead of only the likes of Cincinnati, St. Louis and Oakland.

"You can't put your finger on any one thing," said receiver Antwaan Randle El, who scored Washington's only touchdown in Sunday night's 24-10 loss at Baltimore. "You can't just say it's the offensive line, can't put it all on the quarterback, can't say it's the receivers or the backs. It's a combination of everybody basically doing their part and doing their part together and I think we haven't had that in the last couple of weeks and it showed up again. When you go against a defense like that, it is always going to show up."

Making matters worse for the reeling Redskins (7-6) is that Samuels suffered a season-ending torn right triceps against the Ravens. Stephon Heyer, who started this year as the right tackle before yielding to Jon Jansen in Week 4, will replace Samuels. With Jansen likely also out with a sprained left knee, veteran Jason Fabini would start at right tackle Sunday at Cincinnati.

"We have to shore up our problems on the offensive line," said coach Jim Zorn.

Then there's the matter of running back Clinton Portis, who came into the Baltimore game as the NFL's No. 2 rusher but exited with his fourth game in five under 70 yards and 16 carries.

Zorn removed Portis, who has barely practiced of late because of injuries to his neck, ribs and knee, after one series in the second half in favor of Ladell Betts because the Redskins were in passing mode trailing 14-0 and then 17-0, angering his bellcow.

"I ask no questions, bro," Portis said testily in the postgame locker room. "I held my helmet. ... (Zorn) don't have to talk to me about nothing. He's the head coach. I'm the player. ... The good thing about it is I'll practice on Wednesday. There ain't nothing wrong with me."

On Monday, Zorn said he hasn't abandoned Portis' centrality.

"We've got to keep Clinton going," Zorn said. "Even though he sat on the bench and was frustrated, he's going to be far healthier and be able to practice this week, which is going to help us down this run. We were more in a passing mode in that second half being 14 points down. I thought that was the right choice. Now we have him and now he can practice and he can be in all of those situations and we can get after it."