LANDOVER, Md. – After scoring the game’s only touchdown, Clinton Portis lifted his jersey to reveal a white shirt with the words “In memory of Sean Taylor.”

They played for Sean. They tried to win for Sean, just as Sean’s father had told them to do. The grief of the Washington Redskins was on full display Sunday, in front of 85,000 fans waving their No. 21 towels, but their fragile emotions were shattered when Rian Lindell kicked a 36-yard field goal with 4 seconds left to give the Buffalo Bills a 17-16 victory.

Five days after Taylor died from a gunshot wound in Florida, the Redskins defense did Taylor proud by not allowing a touchdown. Buffalo’s points came on five field goals and a safety, and a major gaffe played a part in leaving Washington’s players disconsolate at the final whistle.

Lindell made a 51-yard attempt that didn’t count because the Redskins called timeout just as the ball was snapped. Washington then tried the same tactic again, but consecutive timeouts aren’t allowed when attempting to freeze the kicker. The resulting 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave the veteran Lindell a much easier kick. His game-winner gave him a streak of 17 consecutive made field goals.

AP-ES-12-02-07 1622EST