Monday Night Football Afterword: Redskins vs Giants

Rober Griffin III tries to high-step out of a tackle on an
electric run in the second half. Photo credit to Washington Times.

It took a little bit of luck – an early missed field goal by Lawrence Tynes – and a lot of luck – a fumble that almost wasn’t by Robert Griffin III that bounced right into the hands of Josh Morgan, who took it for a score – for the Redskins to defeat their division rival on Monday night. Luck did not make it any less of a statement game for Washington.

The mantra of the defense seemed to be ‘bend, but don’t break’ all night long. For many defenses, this is not the way you want things to go because it means time of possession favors your opponent. In Washington’s case, it was the best philosophy to take. They gave up a lot of yards. They held Eli Manning to 280 passing yards, but New York eclipsed the Redskins’ rush yards allowed per game before the third quarter ended. But as New York’s field shrunk, Washington’s defense tightened, giving up just one touchdown and forcing four field goals, three of which Tynes connected with.

The low scoring of the Giants was enough for the Redskins to pull out the win as Kai Forbath continues to be perfect on field goal attempts this season and RG3 threw a touchdown pass in addition to the fumble-touchdown in the first quarter.

The best part for the Redskins? The victory came on a national stage. With San Francisco’s loss to the Rams and no shortage of doubters when it comes to the Falcons, the Giants seemed primed to take their place as the favorite among NFC playoff contenders. Now the NFC East is, once again, wide open with the Redskins and Cowboys trailing New York by just one game.

As a Redskins fan, the fourth quarter is a dreadful time to be leading. Washington has always become too conservative, but yesterday the Redskins took a shot downfield and converted a first down near field goal range. They ran the ball after that, but it was refreshing to see a running back push through a pile to gain six yards on 3^rd & 3. Alfred Morris finished the game with well over 100 yards and has topped 1,000 yards on the season. Griffin III has broken Cam Newton’s record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback.

The Redskins have beaten their last three division opponents since their heartbreaking loss in New York. They still have the Eagles, who they blew out, and the Cowboys, who they outran, left on their schedule in addition to a showdown with the Ravens next week and the Browns later in the schedule.

The Giants also have to face the Ravens and Eagles, but they will have two challenges in the next two weeks against the Saints at home and the Falcons in Atlanta, leaving a very real possibility for the Redskins, or the Cowboys, to sneak away with a division title in a year neither was popularly expected to contend.