The Washington Redskins came into this week’s match-up at 2-4 and coming off a win against the Chicago Bears. They entered the tilt against the Broncos with a ton of confidence as they put up 45 points against a tough Bears team and came away with a win. Now the Broncos are coming off of a loss to the Colts, but this is a team with the highest scoring offense in the entire NFL.
In preparation for the game, the Redskins knew they could not leave with a win at Mile High without scoring a lot of points. In the first half of the game it looked like both defenses stepped it up, as at halftime it was tied at 7. As the second half started Washington got a break with a big sack and stripped ball from Peyton Manning. Three plays later they hit pay dirt, scoring from one yard out to make it 14-7 Redskins.
Denver then got the ball back and a few plays later DeAngelo Hall intercepted the pass and took it to the house to make it 21-7 Redskins. Things were going well – very well – and maybe, just maybe, this team was poised to do what few thought they could. But alas, the Denver Broncos scored 31 unanswered points to blow out the Redskins 45-21.
The Redskins looked like they were playing well but the offense just couldn’t keep up and the defense got gassed as there were far too many short series. The special teams were really good for a change and the defense did step up and limited Manning for most of the game – “most” being the important word. To add insult to injury, Robert Griffin III was hit multiple times – and hard – but too many hits will get you hurt and that’s exactly what happened as late in the fourth quarter Griffin III got hit as he was throwing. It was a duck that was picked off, and more importantly he was slow to get up, hurting his left knee. He did not return.
The team stated that RGIII is fine and that it was precautionary reasons he was kept out. As I was looking at my Twitter feed all I saw were Redskins fans talking about how we need to bench RGIII and put Cousins in and how he gives us a better chance to win. I will continue to say that that is not an answer as Cousins is not better and the pick-six he threw yesterday did nothing to show otherwise.
RGIII is our franchise quarterback and we need to be behind him through the good and the bad. Now would be the bad in case you didn’t know. I understand that last year he was great but you have to remember that he had reconstructive surgery on his right knee. He is not going to be the same quarterback he was last year because of the surgery and the brace. As true fans we can not abandon our quarterback, we have to support him through the highs and the lows.
Despite the big loss, there are some good things to take out of this game. The defense scored its fifth touchdown and the special teams did not give up any big plays and was able to keep the ball away from Trinden Holiday. DeAngelo Hall intercepting Manning twice assuredly had any ‘Skins fan out of their recliner.
This loss should not be on the defense and the special teams, and not even RGIII. He did have somethings to do with the loss but it was the whole offense and the conservative play calling of Kyle Shanahan. In the end Robert Griffin III is our quarterback and he is one of the best young players at his position and it can only go up he still has a lot to learn, grow, and get better. So stop blaming him for everything and back him up.
Hail to the Redskins.
You can follow me @Redskintalk24_7 on twitter for your Washington Redskins fix, and the follow the site @lastwordonsport while you are at it.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.
Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.
Main Photo Credit: teamleaks.com, cc
