Washington Redskins top Chargers in wild affair
By Matthew Laux
As the scoreboard read 24-21 in favor of Washington, most Redskins fans sat at the edge of their seat watching as Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers marched down the field as time ran down. Washington fans observed as the season began to finally slip out of the Redskins’ fingers until something clicked. Jim Haslett and the Washington defense made a season saving goal line stand to send the game into overtime, where the relentless Redskins offense wore down the Chargers. Washington captured an essential win, 30-24, sending the teams record to 3-5.
Nov 3, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins fullback Darrel Young (36) runs through the end zone after scoring a touch down in overtime of the game at FedEx Field. The Redskins defeated the San Deigo Chargers 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback Robert Griffin III and the offense took the opening drive 92- yards right down the throat of the Charger defense until Kai Forbath was forced to attempt a field goal, which was subsequently blocked by the Charger special teams. Then, to make matters worse, Robert Griffin III’s next pass was deflected and intercepted in the end zone for a Charger touchdown. Washington, however, showed great poise maintaining their composure, as Alfred Morris, who ran for 121 yards, scored his only touchdown of the day on a five-yard score tying the score at 7. Then, with time ticking down in the first half Rivers led the chargers on an 11-play 85-yard drive capped off by a 15-yard pass to wide out Eddie Royal.
Washington once again continued to press on and dominated the third quarter both on the scoreboard and time of possession. Griffin III did a wonderful job managing the game and with help from the acrobatic catches of Pierre Garcon orchestrated an 85-yard drive that featured a 1-yard touchdown run by Darrel Young, his first of three second half scores. Then, at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Young finished off another drive with his second one-yard touchdown run. Washington continued to own time of possession, and after forcing a turnover ran off a large chunk of time that ended with a Forbath field goal, extending the Washington lead to 10.
The Chargers, however, found a rhythm late in the fourth, starting with a quick touchdown pass to Keenan Allen to cut the lead to three. Then, after forcing a quick three and out, Rivers and the Chargers took over and completed first down after first down until the team had 1st and goal from the Redskins one-yard line with two timeouts.
At list point, things looked grim for the Redskins, as they watched yet another game elude them. On this Sunday, however, something was different. The Washington defense put together a clutch goal line stand to force a short field goal to send the game to overtime.
Nov 3, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) hands the ball off to Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) against the San Diego Chargers in overtime at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins won 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Then, the ‘Skins won the coin-flip, and marched right down the field until Young scored his first career game winning touchdown.
Washington played a fantastic all-around game, as the offense totaled 500 yards and more importantly went 12-17 on third down conversions. The Redskins offense was well-balanced and seemed to have the Chargers defense on their heals all afternoon. Also, the defense made timely stops and force two turnovers, both of which were converted for points. Washington now enters a rather friendly stretch of games as the Redskins have a short week before traveling to face the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday night. In the final eight games, Washington will play just three of those games against teams above .500. Sitting two games behind the Dallas Cowboys, Washington will need to make up ground in hopes of making a return appearance to the post season. Tune in to the NFL Network Thursday at 8:25 to catch the ‘Skins back in action as they square off with the Minnesota Vikings.