The Redskins have to run out the clock on this drive or risk seeing the Saints into endzone again. Logan Paulsen goes beast mode with a reception over the middle, dragging three Saints defenders with him for 22 yards.

Big play from the third-string tight end, but the Saints aren't ready to quit yet. Just to create controversy:

Obviously the Saints weren't gonna win.There were no bounties.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayliss) September 9, 2012

DeJon Gomes shaken up on the play, but walking off on his own power. Saints threatening after the penalty, followed by a 17-yard gain by Sproles to put the offense in the red-zone.

Orakpo gets his hands on back-to-back passes from Brees, but Brees finds Sproles on 4th and goal for the touchdown.

Saints settle for the extra point to bring it back within eight points after Brees' third touchdown throw.

Redskins 40, Saints 32

New Orleans needs a quick strike here to keep time on the clock and have a chance to even the score with just under three minutes left.

Redskins secondary showed up big today after entering the season with a ton of question marks. Raheem Morris is showing why the Redskins brought him in.

Madieu Williams lays an unnecessary hit on Jimmy Graham, earning another penalty. Bad play from a veteran.

Four flags on 41 there, all deserved.

— Mr. Irrelevant (@MrIrrelevantDC) September 9, 2012

DeJon Gomes gets a big pick on Brees and returns it inside the five for his first career interception. Saints sent Moore over the middle, and Gomes stared it down the whole time. First big mistake by Brees could cost the Saints the game.

That is the type of play the Redskins didn't make last season. Culture change in full effect, 'Skins defense gives the ball back to the offense, and Alfred Morris slams the door shut with his second touchdown of the day!

Redskins 40, Saints 25

Griffin goes down in the backfield after tripping on the foot of teammate Alfred Morris. He runs for his life on the next play, sneaking out of a potential sack gaining 12 yards, well short of the first down.

Redskins give the ball back to the Saints who are hitting their stride in this quarter.

Not so fast ! @drewbrees finds @lancemoore16 for a TD . One possession game. #Saints 25 #Redskins 33.

— FOX SPORTS: NFL (@NFLONFOX) September 9, 2012

Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

Cedric Griffin deflects a would-be touchdown from Brees to Joe Morgan. Fletcher gets his hands on a pass, but fails to pull it in for an interception.

Brees throws a beautiful pass to the corner of the endzone on 4th and 10 to Lance Moore with Madieu Williams turned around.

No onside kick for the Saints, Banks doesn't get a chance to return the kickoff. Could this be the beginning of the familiar late-game deflation for the Redskins or are the Saints simply too good to go down without a fight?

Redskins 33, Saints 25

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Rocca is forced to put his experience in Australian rules football experience to good use recovering from a fumbled snap on the punt. A pair of flags on the play nullify it entirely, leading to a re-kick.

Danny Smith's special teams aren't looking good, with Banks mishandling two punts and Rocca having one of his punts blocked. Luckily the offense has been productive and the defense has kept the Saints quiet in this half.

Unfortunately, illegal man down field and illegal touching by #Redskins.. will have to punt again.. #RedskinsTalk

— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlin) September 9, 2012

Ryan Kerrigan gets his first sack of the season as Brees can't find any open receivers with the pocket collapsing.

Ensuing play, 3rd and 26, goes deep, but Colston is well covered and fails to reel in the good throw. Josh Wilson came down on his hip, holding his back as he hit the turf. He walks it off on the sideline.

Brandon Banks is giving the Redskins second thoughts on keeping him around, as he puts ANOTHER punt on the turf. Luckily he's been able to recover both of his fumbles.

Banks, 45 yard return left to right....

— Ryan (@ElFodder) September 9, 2012

Jordan Bernstine down after the kickoff, trainers looking at his right leg, and the cart is on the field. He's got a brace on his right knee, but doesn't appear to be in any sort of serious pain, though it might be because adrenaline at the moment.

Injuries killed the Redskins last season, but depth is a luxury they have this year. Brees looks anxious in waiting to return to the field. He's done all he can thus far, but isn't getting much help from his teammates.

Redskins playing it safe with the lead, sticking to the ground game, which has picked up a bit this half.

Griffin feels the pressure from his blindside on 3rd and 3, escaping to throw the ball away and set up a field goal. Saints defense getting some good breaks, but visibly tired.

Saints pass rush is as non-existent this year as it was a year ago. Not much pressure on RG III.

— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncanTP) September 9, 2012

Darren Sproles gets a return out to the 40 yard line, giving Brees and the offense good field position to work with. They need something big this quarter.

Redskins 33, Saints 17

Alfred Morris showing why he earned the start today, heading for a 100-yard day in his first professional starter. A timely holding call brings a nice seven yard run back, but Roy Helu gains it all back and then some with a 21-yard catch and run.

Saints defense looks frustrated, while the Redskins defense is resting up on the sidelines. Redskins controlling the clock, 30:46 to 16:53 in time of possession.

Griffin makes a nice play, snapping the ball with the defender offsides, turning a third and long into a third and short.

Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Redskins punt for just the second time today following a couple of missed throws from Griffin, but a 12-men on the field penalty gives the Redskins offense a new set of downs.

Even with 12 men on the field, #Saints still don't return the punt. They do, however, return the ball, #Redskins offense back on field #HTTR

— Redskins (@Redskins) September 9, 2012

A lot of mistakes from the Saints today, which you have to attribute to missing Sean Payton on the sidelines.

DeJon Gomes makes contact with Lance Moore in the redzone, giving the Saints a first and goal and their first signs of life in this half. Stephen Bowen gets his hands on an early pass, and Brees completes a dump off to get the Saints closer, but London Fletcher knocks the ball out of the hands of Darren Sproles, saving a touchdown.

Great hustle by skins D. They r flying around

— Joe Theismann (@Theismann7) September 9, 2012

Garrett Hartley knocks in a field goal from 21 yards out to give the Saints their first points of the second half.

Redskins 30, Saints 17

Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Redskins pressure getting to Brees, forcing some quick throws. Ryan Kerrigan gets his hands on a pass, nearly intercepts it. Sproles saved the play, as did the illegal hands to the face penalty called on Jarvis Jenkins.

Washington's defensive line is showing no signs of relenting against the strong Saints offensive line. Colston makes a big catch for 25 yards to keep the drive alive, can the Saints turn one play into a scoring drive?

Hard hit on Devery Henderson, who stays down after getting a shoulder in the back of the helmet by tackler DeAngelo Hall.

He responds to trainers on the field, and ultimately walks off the field on his own power. Too early to tell if he'll return or how severe his injury is.

After kid at Tulane couldn't move yesterday, a welcome relief to see Henderson off on his own power today.

— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) September 9, 2012

Unsung heroes of the game have to be the Redskins offensive line. Keeping the rookie clean, giving him time to make plays and move the ball against the Saints defense. Griffin has taken a couple of hits, but nothing near what was expected heading into today's game.

Last time Redskins scored 30 or more points to start the season? 2002 vs. Arizona.

— Neil Greenberg (@ngreenberg) September 9, 2012

Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

As much as Griffin and the Redskins offense has done, there has to be something said for the defense keeping Brees and Co. off their game. 

Saints plagued by three-and-outs wp.me/p14QSB-57PO

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 9, 2012

Redskins make it into Saints territory again, but only come away with another field goal.

Redskins 30, Saints 14

Save for a couple of big plays, this game is all Redskins. There's only so much you can say about the struggling Saints before it becomes repetitious. The defense hasn't adjusted to Griffin, and now the rushing attack is starting to pick up.

Morris follows Griffin blocking downfield for an 18-yard gain.

Okay, now Robert Griffin III is blocking downfield. In tomorrow's Post, he will have put blocked the guy into the fourth row.

— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) September 9, 2012

Colston lets a pass bounce off his fingertips, Saints offense looks out of sync in this half. Credit to the Redskins defense, swarming receivers before the ball arrives, keeping Brees out of the equation as much as possible.

Tremendous coverage by Cedric Griffin down the field. Raheem Morris came out onto the field to bark praises into his helmet. #Redskins

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 9, 2012

Brandon Banks puts the first punt of the second half on the turf, but covers to keep possession for the Redskins.

The Redskins are having a day of firsts, with Griffin and Morris scoring their first pro touchdowns, Garcon scoring his first touchdown as a Redskin, and Billy Cundiff starting his Redskins career a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals. Another first for Griffin, and the NFL:

Robert Griffin ended first half with a perfect passer rating. He's the 1st rookie who threw at least 10 passes in 1st half to ever do that.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 9, 2012

Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

Crowd gets loud for a third and short, Redskins go for it again, but can't convert on their own. A pass interference call earns the Redskins a first and goal on a questionable call.

One play later, Morris ducks into the endzone for a Washington touchdown! Third scoring drive of the game, and a perfect start to the second half.

Redskins 27, Saints 14

John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

Keeping the Saints offense on the sidelines is a priority, which explains the offensive attack for the Redskins. They aren't looking for big plays down the field, but rather relying on short passes to supplement the struggling ground attack.

The Saints defense can't overcommit to the short game, however, as the Redskins have hit two passes for 37 and 20 yards to open the second half.

John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

Coming out of halftime the Redskins will look to continue their steady offensive production, especially with the lack of success on the ground. The Saints need to carry the momentum they captured with the punt block for a touchdown into the second half.

The Saints offense was showing signs of life before the Colston fumble, and the Redskins defense still hasn't reached Brees enough.

If the Saints receivers don't step up, expect more touches in the passing game for Sproles. He's been quiet, with just two receptions, but he is not to be forgotten by the Redskins defense. He is a homerun threat everytime he touches the ball.

John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

By the numbers, Griffin have an excellent day, completing 11-of-13 for two touchdowns, with Brees recovering from a shaky start to complete 10-of-18 for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Neither team running the ball well, with RGIII's 30 yards on nine carries tops all rushers on the day.

Garcon's foot injury has him listed as questionable at halftime, and you have to wonder if his absence will change the way the Saints defense decides to attack Griffin and his receivers.

The Redskins defense needs to put a lid on Graham, who has been the catalyst for the Saints offense. If not for the blocked punt for a touchdown, halftime would have fewer questions, but the Redskins can't pull up. They need to keep their foot on the gas if they want to outrun the Saints in the second half.

John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

Costly fumble for a touchback from Colston stops the Saints in their tracks, marking the first turnover of the game. Griffin takes over with the quarter winding down, calling conservative plays trying to milk the clock.

Sav Rocca's punt is BLOCKED and returned for a Saints touchdown by Courtney Roby!

Huge blocked punt/TD for Saints before half cuts WAS lead to 6 before half. Monster mo shift.

— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) September 9, 2012

Saints pull within a touchdown with the less than a minute left in the half.

Redskins 20, Saints 14