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Robert Griffin III plays three quarters, but Redskins let lead slip, lose to Giants 24-13 Robert Griffin III plays three quarters, but Redskins let lead slip, lose to Giants 24-13
(35 minutes later)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For a few glorious seconds, at least, Robert Griffin III conjured heroics of his rookie season. With 8 seconds on the clock and a chance to extend Washington’s lead before the first half expired, Griffin took off running for the right corner of the end zone and launched himself, ball-cradling arms outstretched, for the score.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For a few glorious seconds, at least, Robert Griffin III conjured heroics of his rookie season. With 8 seconds on the clock and a chance to extend Washington’s lead before the first half expired, Griffin took off running for the right corner of the end zone and launched himself, ball-cradling arms outstretched, for the score.
But on a hostile field, against their oldest foe, the Washington Redskins were jolted back to reality in the most unexpected way. Upon review, what would have been Griffin’s first rushing touchdown since 2012 was negated, ruled a touchback instead because he lost possession of the ball as he sailed into end zone.But on a hostile field, against their oldest foe, the Washington Redskins were jolted back to reality in the most unexpected way. Upon review, what would have been Griffin’s first rushing touchdown since 2012 was negated, ruled a touchback instead because he lost possession of the ball as he sailed into end zone.
With it, Jay Gruden’s Redskins found a new way to surrender points en route to a familiar outcome: Another double-digit defeat.With it, Jay Gruden’s Redskins found a new way to surrender points en route to a familiar outcome: Another double-digit defeat.
With the Giants’ rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. catching all three of Eli Manning’s touchdown throws, Washington (3-11) lost its sixth consecutive game, 24-13, to secure its place at rock bottom in the NFC East.With the Giants’ rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. catching all three of Eli Manning’s touchdown throws, Washington (3-11) lost its sixth consecutive game, 24-13, to secure its place at rock bottom in the NFC East.
Just 24, Griffin has had a career’s worth of comebacks in the NFL. Sunday’s marked yet another opportunity to establish himself as the quarterback who can lead Washington going forward after Colt McCoy, who supplanted him as the team’s starter last month, aggravated a neck injury in the game’s opening series. Just 24, Griffin has had a career’s worth of comebacks in the NFL. Sunday’s marked yet another opportunity to establish himself as the quarterback who can lead Washington going forward after Colt McCoy, who supplanted him as the team’s starter last month, aggravated a neck injury during the game’s opening series.
In no way did Griffin reclaim the promise of his NFL offensive rookie-of-the-year season at MetLife Field. But he showed glimpses of the improvisational skills that once made defenses quake; he also showed catastrophic bouts of indecision that played a major part in the seven sacks he endured. In no way did Griffin reclaim the promise of his NFL offensive rookie-of-the-year season at MetLife Field. But he showed glimpses of the improvisational skills that once made defenses quake. He also showed catastrophic bouts of indecision that played a major part in the seven sacks he endured.
Griffin finished 18 of 27 for 236 yards and one touchdown.Griffin finished 18 of 27 for 236 yards and one touchdown.
Manning’s numbers were better: 23 of 34 for 250 yards and three touchdowns.Manning’s numbers were better: 23 of 34 for 250 yards and three touchdowns.
Following on the heels of last week’s shutout at the hands of the St. Louis Rams, Griffin showed an ability to move the ball and score in Gruden’s offense. And that may be enough to retake the starting job he was stripped of after his third consecutive defeat since returning from an injury in Week 2.Following on the heels of last week’s shutout at the hands of the St. Louis Rams, Griffin showed an ability to move the ball and score in Gruden’s offense. And that may be enough to retake the starting job he was stripped of after his third consecutive defeat since returning from an injury in Week 2.
McCoy’s fourth start lasted just a few minutes.McCoy’s fourth start lasted just a few minutes.
Backed up to the 6 yard-line, McCoy put together a nice drive to open, completing four of his seven throws and rushing twice for 23 yards. But on a second-and-10, he got pummeled on a four-yard scramble. His next throw, to Pierre Garcon, was well short. Kai Forbath hit a 35-yard field goal to give Washington an early lead. Backed up to the 6-yard line, McCoy put together a nice drive to open, completing four of his seven throws and rushing twice for 23 yards. But on a second and 10, he got pummeled on a four-yard scramble. His next throw, to Pierre Garcon, was well short. Kai Forbath hit a 35-yard field goal to give Washington an early lead.
The Giants (5-9) answered with a 12-play touchdown drive, capped by a 10-yard strike to Beckham, who was covered by E.J. Biggers. It put the Giants ahead 7-3 and chewed up more than five minutes, giving trainer Larry Hess time to evaluate McCoy, who sprained his neck the previous week.The Giants (5-9) answered with a 12-play touchdown drive, capped by a 10-yard strike to Beckham, who was covered by E.J. Biggers. It put the Giants ahead 7-3 and chewed up more than five minutes, giving trainer Larry Hess time to evaluate McCoy, who sprained his neck the previous week.
With McCoy heading to the locker room, Griffin entered the game to start Washington’s second series. Gruden asked little of him at the outset—a handoff to Alfred Morris, a pitch to DeSean Jackson. On Griffin’s first throw of consequence, defenders converged quickly. He tried spinning out of trouble but was dropped for an 8-yard loss on the sack. With McCoy heading to the locker room, Griffin entered the game to start Washington’s second series. Gruden asked little of him at the outset — a handoff to Alfred Morris, a pitch to DeSean Jackson. On Griffin’s first pass play of consequence, defenders converged quickly. He tried spinning out of trouble but was dropped for an 8-yard loss on the sack.
With the defense holding, Washington’s offense retook the field, and Griffin moved the ball crisply, connecting on throws of 22, 17 and 18 yards. He found a wide-open Chris Thompson, who streaked nine yards for the score. It was just Griffin’s third touchdown throw of the season, and it reclaimed the lead, 10-7.With the defense holding, Washington’s offense retook the field, and Griffin moved the ball crisply, connecting on throws of 22, 17 and 18 yards. He found a wide-open Chris Thompson, who streaked nine yards for the score. It was just Griffin’s third touchdown throw of the season, and it reclaimed the lead, 10-7.
Two fruitless possessions by the Giants brought out boos from the home crowd.Two fruitless possessions by the Giants brought out boos from the home crowd.
With a chance to extend Washington’s lead before the half expired, Silas Redd turned a short catch into a 37-yard gain. A flurry of completions took Washington to the 4. Unable to find an open receiver, Griffin appeared to panic and ran slam into the gut of a 320-pound defensive tackle. He was dropped for a four-yard loss on his second sack. A throw to Reed was nearly intercepted, bringing up third and 8. With a chance to extend Washington’s lead before the half expired, Silas Redd Jr. turned a short catch into a 37-yard gain. A flurry of completions took Washington to the 4. Unable to find an open receiver, Griffin appeared to panic and ran slam into the gut of a 320-pound defensive tackle. He was dropped for a four-yard loss on his second sack. A throw to Reed was nearly intercepted, bringing up third and 8.
That’s when Griffin took off for the right corner of the end zone, launching himself for the score that was waived off upon review. That’s when Griffin took off for the right corner of the end zone, launching himself for the score that was waved off upon review.
In a furious haze of confusion, Moss was ejected, and time expired. In a furious haze of confusion, Moss was ejected. Time had expired on Griffin’s run.
To that point, Griffin had out-performed Manning, completing nine of 15 throws for 140 yards and one touchdown. The score reflected it, with Washington leading 10-7. To that point, Griffin had outperformed Manning, completing 9 of 15 throws for 140 yards and one touchdown. The score reflected it, with Washington leading, 10-7.
But the touchdown-stripping decision shifted the momentum.But the touchdown-stripping decision shifted the momentum.
And the Giants came out for the second half with new life—as well as a 30-yard gift from the two penalties leveled on Moss. Kicking off from the Washington 35, the Giants recovered an onside kick to open the second half. They managed a 23-yard field goal that knotted it at 10-10. And the Giants came out for the second half with new life — as well as a 30-yard gift from the two penalties on Moss. Kicking off from the Washington 35, the Giants recovered an onside kick to open the second half. They managed a 23-yard field goal that knotted it at 10.
Griffin stiff-armed Rolle to streak 23 yards on the next drive. Gruden went for it on fourth and 2. Gruden called a time out just as the play was getting under way. The redo failed miserably. Gripped by indecision in the pocket, Griffin was sacked again. Griffin stiff-armed Rolle to run for 23 yards on the next drive. Gruden went for it on fourth and 2. Gruden called a timeout just as the play was getting under way. The redo failed miserably. Gripped by indecision in the pocket, Griffin was sacked again.
Washington’s defense held.Washington’s defense held.
Griffin re-took the field to hit Roberts, with pressure coming, for a 61-yard gain. He scrambled on the next play and took a cheap hit out of bounds, with the penalty helping. Injured during the series, left tackle Trent Williams couldn’t fend off Jason Pierre-Paul, who flew in for a sack on a third and 11. Forbath’s 38-yarder was true, and Washington moved ahead, 13-10.Griffin re-took the field to hit Roberts, with pressure coming, for a 61-yard gain. He scrambled on the next play and took a cheap hit out of bounds, with the penalty helping. Injured during the series, left tackle Trent Williams couldn’t fend off Jason Pierre-Paul, who flew in for a sack on a third and 11. Forbath’s 38-yarder was true, and Washington moved ahead, 13-10.
It took Manning 2:05 to retake the lead. With an assist from a 23-yard penalty on Breeland, Manning capped an 81-yard drive with a 35-yard touchdown to Beckham, wide open in the middle of the field. It put the Giants ahead 17-13. It took Manning 2 minutes 5 seconds to retake the lead. With an assist from a 23-yard penalty on Breeland, Manning capped an 81-yard drive with a 35-yard touchdown pas to Beckham, wide open in the middle of the field. It put the Giants ahead 17-13.
With Williams injuring his left shoulder on the previous drive, Tom Compton entered the game at left tackle, and Tyler Polumbus took over at right tackle. The patchwork moves, which represented the best Gruden could do with the able-bodied roster than remained, sealed the offense’s fate.With Williams injuring his left shoulder on the previous drive, Tom Compton entered the game at left tackle, and Tyler Polumbus took over at right tackle. The patchwork moves, which represented the best Gruden could do with the able-bodied roster than remained, sealed the offense’s fate.
Washington defense gave up a third touchdown to Beckham. Washington’s defense gave up a third touchdown to Beckham. And Griffin’s sack totals grew from there.
And Griffin’s sack totals grew from there.