This shootout offered some signs that Gibbs' offense was coming to life, but Cardinals QB Jim Hart picked the Skins' defense apart for the team's third straight loss. The Redskins had the lead in the first quarter, then saw St Louis rattle off 17 unanswered points. Theismann and Hart traded long TD passes before halftime, and the Skins ended the half down 26-17. After a scoreless 3rd quarter, St Louis broke the game open with two more TD's. Washington's offense was able to answer with two fourth quarter TDs of its own, but it was too little, too late.