Griffin Tosses Four Touchdowns, Redskins Extend Eagles Skid to Six Games
It may not have been the prettiest victory, but the Washington Redskins got four touchdown passes from Robert Griffin III, and ended their three-game skid against the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
The 'Skins defense managed to rattle rookie Nick Foles early, forcing interceptions on back-to-back drives, and avoided giving up the big play that has ruined their season thus far.
Washington moves to 4-6 heading into the Thanksgiving Day matchip against the Dallas Cowboys, while the Eagles fall to 3-7 and extend their losing streak to six, the longest of Andy Reid's tenure.
Santana Moss isn't putting up a ton of yards for the Redskins, but six touchdowns lead all receivers, and has been an unlikely scoring threat for Griffin and the offense.
Moss says that "he's ready to get rested up and get ready to play on Thursday". HTTR!
— Redskins (@Redskins) November 18, 2012
The veteran presence has been invaluable for Griffin, who has missed big-play threat Pierre Garcon since their opening day 100+ yard first half against the New Orleans Saints.
DeSean Jackson was invisible for the entire game, catching just two passes for five yards, against a surprising Redskins secondary. Chalk it up to the 'Skins defense putting pressure on Foles more than their secondary showing its true colors.
For the Redskins, Robinson, Moss and Paulsen made big catches for touchdowns, giving some much-needed confidence to their rookie quarterback after dropping close to 20 passes over their last two games with the rest of the receiving corps.
This was a momentum win for the Redskins, but it shouldn't be expected for the rest of the season. At least not until they prove they can put together another game, if not two games, of solid football on both sides of the ball.
The Redskins offense took its time finding a rhythm, and by the time they did, they were already up 18 points. Griffin's 285 total yards and four touchdowns may be the highlight, but the Redskins defense deserves credit for limiting the Eagles offense to just six points.
Foles threw for 204 yards and two costly interceptions, and combined with McCoy's and Brown's 80 rushing yards were still less than Griffin's total yardage.
McCoy's 112 total yards were not enough to overcome nine penalties for 70 yards by the Eagles, and he was knocked out of the game with a possible concussion.
McCoy down for an extended period of time after he lowered his head on the carry, finally carted off the field, potentially suffering a concussion. Tough break for the Eagles losing Vick and McCoy in back-to-back weeks.
Griffin leads the way for the Redskins through the air on and on the ground, throwing and running for 285 yards and four touchdowns.
Foles unable to move the Eagles offense, even with the aid of Redskins penalties and soft coverage.
Griffin comes back on the field after the turnover on downs, and the Redskins take to the victory formation to end the game.
What's left of the crowd just started cheering and now chanting "we want Dallas" after posted the Dallas score on the scoreboard #Redskins
— Sky Kerstein (@SkyKerstein) November 18, 2012
Final Score: Redskins 31, Eagles 6
Washington's offense averaging 7.2 yards per play and 11.3 yards per pass compared to Philadelphia's 3.7 yards per play and per pass.
Redskins haven't won a game by more than 14 points under Shanahan
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) November 18, 2012
Kirk Cousins is getting ready to come into the game, which is long overdue considering the state of this game, and the short week heading into Thanksgiving Day against Dallas. Keeping Griffin healthy is imperative for the upcoming game, and the playoff push the Redskins are attempting to mount.
1:45 remaining Fourth Quarter
With the game firmly in hand, Morris is getting some touches late, and running through, around and over Eagles defenders. He doesn't have the speed to break 60- and 70-yard runs, but he's picking up 15 and 20 yards on these carries.
Six Philly defenders board the A-Train (Trey_Deuces) on his 20-yard run. Only three made it to the final destination! #HTTR
— Redskins (@Redskins) November 18, 2012
Griffin has been sacked twice for a loss of eight yards, compared to four sacks for 27 yards for Foles. Under four minutes remaining, and the Redskins are chewing clock while moving the ball.
Ya think?! RT: @buzzbeaubank: Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't run my star QB in the Fourth whilst up 25 points
— chad dukes (@chaddukes) November 18, 2012
3:38 remaining Fourth Quarter
Foles is back on the field with very little hope to stage what would be a miraculous comeback. Riley comes clean off the right side of the offensive line and lays a hit on Foles as he turns and flips the ball to McCoy.
Riley flagged for a late hit, but Rob Jackson makes up for it on the next play with a big sack, which is the fourth of the day for the 'Skins defense.
Foles has completed just 15-of-31, and has taken some hard hits from the uncommonly unblocked Redskins linebackers and linemen. Credit to Haslett for seeing the weakness in the Eagles offense and taking advantage.
Nick Foles has more ints than RG3 has incompletions.. It's as if the Eagles D was upset the Redskins D was getting pub for being so bad..
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) November 18, 2012
The Redskins challenge a completion from Foles to Cooper, and the call is overturned, bringing up second and 10 instead of second and short, or even a first down.
8:42 remaining Fourth Quarter
Two completions account for 110 of Griffin's 191 yards, but he has just one incompletion on the day. Yards aren't the important stat for this game, because the four touchdowns should be enough to seal the deal, even with 10 minutes left to play.
Don't know about the designed runs to Griffin. He picks up 28 yards, but more often than not, it leaves him open to hits he shouldn't have to take in an 18-point game at this point.
Morris getting some carries this quarter, picking up 25 yards on two carries. Griffin looking to handoff, but no one is there, and he is forced to keep it himself and loses six yards.
Griffin stands tall in the pocket, bodies all around, throws a dart to Paulsen inside the five, and drags a tackler into the endzone for the touchdown!
Redskins 31, Eagles 6 ; 10:24 remaining Fourth Quarter
With the touchdown to Moss, Griffin has his first game throwing three touchdowns, and there is still plenty of time for more.
Banks, all 153 pounds of him, takes the end around behind Young for seven yards to set up a third and less than a yard. Griffin on the sneak appears to come up short, and Mike Shanahan decides to go for it for the 15th time this season.
Morris takes the handoff to the right, but the Eagles get a great push and stop him in his tracks at the Philadelphia 18, where Foles and the offense will take over.
The shoe horning of Bank into this offense is infuriating
— danny rouhier (@funnydanny) November 18, 2012
Redskins 24, Eagles 6 ; 14:03 remaining Fourth Quarter
Riley goes untouched through the Eagles line, and drags Foles down for the third Redskins sack of the game!
Nothing resembling rhythm for either offense in this game, but the touchdowns are what matter, and the Redskins are on the winning end of it.
Griffin takes off on a designed run, and earns 11 yards and absorbs a late hit, which earns the Redskins a first down and an extra 15 yards. Griffin hops up and lets out a little yell, but those aren't the hits Washington wants him having to pop up from in his career.
1:23 remaining Third Quarter
A fumble and a penalty by Morris put the Redskins in a tough third and 14 situation. Griffin looking to throw, but is flushed out and somehow picks up a first down in spite of the trend.
Washington's offense can do absolutely nothing, and a swing pass to Banks isn't going to help matters.
Odd personnel exchange forces the Redskins to take a timeout. More of the same from the Redskins offense.
On the first play out of the timeout, Griffin can't find anyone downfield, but lofts it up for Santana Moss covered by two Eagles defensive backs. He comes down with it and keeps his balance into the endzone for an unlikely TOUCHDOWN!
61 yards from Griffin to Moss to put the Redskins back in business in the second half
Cullen Jenkins was taunting Griffin after that pass, thinking the flag was on offense. #Redskins TD stands.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) November 18, 2012
Redskins 24, Eagles 6 ; 5:02 remaining Third Quarter
On third down, the Eagles get a delay of game penalty to make it third and nine. Ryan Kerrigan pushes his man back and turns the corner, stripping Foles of the ball!
Great play by Kerrigan while being held. Grown man play.
— danny rouhier (@funnydanny) November 18, 2012
Henery comes onto the field for the points, and knocks in a 42-yarder following the sack-fumble for a seven-yard loss.
Redskins 17, Eagles 6 ; 8:27 remaining Third Quarter
After Brent Celek picks up 22 yards on his second catch of the game Barry Cofleld bursts through the Eagles line to drag McCoy down for a loss of six yards.
Meriweather down on the play, which is not what you want to see for a guy making his season debut and having a great game.
Brandon Meriweather crumbled to the ground without being contacted & grabbed his right knee. His left knee was what sidelined him 9 games.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) November 18, 2012
10:59 remaining Third Quarter
Washington's offense takes the field after the touchback from Henery on the second half kickoff, and start off on the wrong foot with a pair of penalties and finish with a sack on Griffin by Jason Babin.
Not the way you want to start a second half when the first half was sloppy to begin with. The Redskins need to do something to stop the Eagles pressure, whether it means moving the pocket more or keeping a tight end in to block.
That's why they can't throw downfield.They can't protect consistently.@glassjoejp
— Eric Bickel (@EBJunkies) November 18, 2012
First play of the Eagles drive looking for it all, but the Foles pass sails out of bounds before Jackson caught it.
12:25 remaining Third Quarter
Philadelphia's offense has found success in the screen game, but has done nothing down the field. The Redskins have applied consistent pressure, which has rattled Foles.
McCoy closed the first half with a fumble, but should be the focus of the Eagles offense in the second half if they intend to climb back into this game.
Penalties have stymied what little momentum the Eagles have managed to gain on their more successful drives. Six penalties for 45 yards, which could have been the difference between a 14-point deficit and a much closer game.
Weird first half for the Redskins, getting an early touchdown off of a turnover, and getting a gift of a touchdown on a 49-yard pitch and catch from Griffin to Robinson, but they're not doing much of anything else.
Despite being up 17-3, they've produced just 138 yards to Philadelphia's 169. They need to get away from running wide with Morris, who has just seven carries of 19 yards on the day.
The 'Skins should consider themselves lucky that Griffin hasn't been mauled, or coughed up the ball in the face of potentially monstrous hits and steady pressure up the middle. There is little hope that the line will be able to hold the Eagles pass rush enough to give Griffin time to survey the field in the second half.
Offensive line problems starting to show for the Redskins, as Griffin has been forced out of his rhythm, and led to a few missed opportunities down the field. He's managed to avoid the worst of it, keeping losses and big hits to a minimum, but the pressure isn't going to stop.
Redskins forced to punt after it looked like they might go for it on fourth down.
Eagles playing conservative, hand the ball off, but Barry Cofield punches it out and the Redskins recover the fumble inside the Eagles 25!
A busted play has Griffin running for his life, but he finds Garcon for a one-yard loss, but avoids the big letdown. They hand it off to Morris for a short gain, and call timeout to bring the field goal unit onto the field.
Forbath lines up for a 25-yard kick, which he boots through the uprights to put the Redskins up 14 at halftime.
Redskins 17, Eagles 3 ; Halftime
Nothing special from the Redskins offense, as they got three-and-out once again. Kyle Shanahan can't decide if he wants to run a wide-open offense or run wide on a wide-9 defense designed to stop wide runs.
On the punt, Washington leaves a wide open lane along the left side, which Damaris Johnson makes the most out of, picking up 16 yards before Sav Rocca shoves him out of bounds.
The Redskins defense finally sniffs out a screen, dropping McCoy for a seven-yard loss. On third and 17, Foles gets plenty of time and finds Johnson over the middle for 21 yards and a new set of downs.
Washington's defense can't seem to string together good plays, giving up first down yardage far too easily.
3:24 remaining Second Quarter
Eagles find some success on the ground, they've rushed for 69 yards with McCoy and Brown, but they can't keep the ball out of Foles' hands all day. Haslett dials up some more pressure, and Wilson sprints in from the corner to get the first sack of the game for the Redskins.
On the ensuing punt, Brandon Banks picks up eight yards, and almost turns the ball over after running into his own blocker.
Which Redskin gets credit for tackling Banks on that return???
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) November 18, 2012
7:29 remaining Second Quarter
Washington gameplan shows an early flaw, running wide against a fast defense, and they've got nothing to show for it. Morris has three carries for no gain, and Griffin is taking hits he shouldn't have to.
It is foolish to avoid running at the teeth of a defense that has already fired one coordinator this season, but the Redskins don't have the look of an offense that wants to run up the gut.
Good coverage forces Griffin to pull it down and he turns the corner on third down to pick up the first down. Not the best way to convert, but the Redskins will take what they can get.
Griffin surveys the field with plenty of time and finds a wide open Aldrick Robinson for a 49-yard touchdown!! Nnamdi Asomugha was nowhere to be found on that coverage, probably expecting safety help over the top.
Redskins 14, Eagles 3 ; 10:35 remaining Second Quarter
Interceptions aside, Foles is on pace for 436 yards as the Eagles screen game is making the Redskins defense look like their typical Swiss cheese selves.
The Redskins offense had a shot to turn a second turnover into points, and they couldn't even pick up a first down. That has hurt them in the past, and Philadelphia is a team that will climb back in if allowed to hang around.
In order to stop the screen plays... players have to realize if they are getting to QB too easy its probably screen
— Robert Henson (@Mr_Henson51) November 18, 2012
A receiver screen and a throw away bring out the field goal unit for the Eagles. Henery lines up and nails a 41-yarder to put the Eagles on the board for the first time today.
Redskins 7, Eagles 3 ; 13:45 remaining Second Quarter
Meriweather making the most of his debut, already has an interception and leads the Redskins in tackles. The Eagles offense takes a step forward for 23 yards to Riley Cooper, then takes a step back with a holding penalty.
Washington's defense gets too far up field on the next play, and McCoy turns the screen into 20 yards and a first down.
A fake screen to the left, and a quick pass to McCoy on the right fools the Redskins defense, and he picks up another 25 yards and a first down. Jim Haslett getting a little too blitz happy, leaving a lot of open field for Philadelphia to run in.
0:23 remaining First Quarter
Redskins takeover following the turnover and get it to Garcon for a nice seven yard gain. Sloppy playaction doesn't fool the defense on the next play, and Griffin is flushed out of the pocket and somehow picks up a couple of yards.
Washington's first third down of the game, and they run an ill-advised option that goes backwards for five yards.
Why does Kyle Shanahan decide third downs, which the Redskins are 31st in the NFL at converting, are the time to get tricky or cute?
Why go side ways on 3rd and 1 #REDSKINS
— Robert Henson (@Mr_Henson51) November 18, 2012
Even more troubling, Fletcher is out with an ankle injury, and his return is questionable.
4:25 remaining First Quarter
Meriweather making his presence felt early, flashing in for two tackles, including sniffing out a short pass to Clay Harbor. Redskins defense putting pressure on early, bring linebackers and defensive backs after Foles.
Smart play by Perry Riley ruins a screen to McCoy, and Meriweather nabs an interception on the next play.
Two possessions for the Eagles offense, two interceptions by the Redskins defense. Credit to the defensive gameplan for getting defenders in the face of Foles on every dropback.
RG3's pass rating 131.3. Foles 29.6.
— Rick Snider (@Snide_Remarks) November 18, 2012
6:21 remaining First Quarter
The Eagles offense takes the field again, and get some help from an overeager Redskins defense. On a telegraphed blitz, the Redskins jumped offsides, but the Eagles give it right back with a false start.
Hall had a hand-off to Bryce Brown blown up in the backfield, but whiffed on the tackle and it turned into a five-yard gain. After the early turnover, Foles is 4-for-6 for 27 yards, and the Eagles offense has crept into Redskins territory.
Fletcher went down after a pass to McCoy, and walks off the field.
Fletcher walking under own power to sideline. Slowly. #RedskinsTalk
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) November 18, 2012
9:32 remaining First Quarter
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