Buddy Finds His Man, but He’s on Redskins : NFC: Rookie Shuler’s five interceptions help Cardinals pull out 19-16 overtime victory.

WASHINGTON —  Buddy Ryan found a quarterback who could help his team. Unfortunately for the Washington Redskins, it was Heath Shuler.

Ryan’s Arizona Cardinals intercepted Shuler five times on Sunday, and took advantage for a 19-16 victory on Todd Peterson’s 29-yard field goal with five minutes left in overtime.

The winning kick came immediately after Terry Hoage picked off a pass and returned it to the Washington 12.

Steve Beuerlein, restored by Ryan as Arizona’s starting quarterback, threw a disputed, tying touchdown pass with 19 seconds left in regulation. Beuerlein’s pass was to Ricky Proehl, who had the ball stripped from his hands by cornerback Alan Grant.

The Redskins argued that it should have been ruled an interception, but officials ruled it a touchdown. The Cardinals opted to kick the extra point, and Peterson tied the score at 16-16.

Beuerlein also threw three interceptions, with Darrell Green returning one for a 27-yard score.

Beuerlein, who began the season as Arizona’s starter, was benched early after poor performances. Jim McMahon and Jay Schroeder took turns before Ryan gave the job back to Beuerlein this week.

He completed 16 of 34 passes for 194 yards and helped Arizona (2-4) overcome a 14-3 fourth-quarter deficit. The drive for the tying touchdown was kept alive when Beuerlein completed a pass for 17 yards on third and 14.

The Redskins (1-6) lost their fifth in a row and remained winless at RFK Stadium. They had a chance in overtime as Shuler moved them in position for a 51-yard field goal try by Chip Lohmiller, but the kick was blocked.

Shuler, who was 11 of 32 for 158 yards and one touchdown, was limping slightly after the game because of a sprained right ankle suffered in the second quarter. He said the injury gave him trouble during the rest of the game.

Redskin Coach Norv Turner said Shuler had made “a combination of bad throws and bad decisions.”

With the score, 14-3, early in the fourth quarter, Shuler was picked off for a third time and cornerback Aeneas Williams returned it 43 yards to the Washington 22. Four plays later, Ronald Moore ran in from the 10 to make the score 14-9.

Chuck Levy tried to run around the right side for the two-point conversion, but was stopped a yard short by safety Darryl Morrison.

With 4:57 left, the Cardinals took a deliberate safety, rather than attempting to punt from their end zone, giving the Redskins a 16-9 lead.

In overtime, Ryan had the Cardinals punt on fourth and one from the Arizona 49. Two plays later, Hoage picked off Shuler, setting up the winning kick.

“This was a real gut-check for everyone,” Ryan said.