All Over The Hill
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Washington Redskins Come Up Short Again in Loss to Vikings

By Ryan Clagett

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Nov 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin (10) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Despite all the distractions – a team bus collision, name change protests and a supposed quarterback mutiny – things began looking up early Sunday afternoon for the Washington Redskins. However, their efforts were not sustained long enough to overcome rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Minnesota Vikings, falling on the road, 29-26.

On the Redskins first drive, Robert Griffin III and the offense looked spectacular, executing multiple plays for big gains.

On a 3rd-and-7, Griffin boasted his athleticism with a defender draped all over him. Instead of taking the sack, he flushed out of the pocket to the left and found Roy Helu for a 24-yard gain taking the team deep into Vikings territory. The drive that took almost eight minutes of the quarter was capped with a 36-yard field goal by kicker Kai Forbath, putting the Washington up 3-0.

The Redskins’ defense forced a punt on the ensuing drive near the end of the first quarter.

On the first play of the next drive, Robert Griffin III dropped back and completed a 45 yard deep ball to receiver DeSean Jackson, which was the quarterback’s longest completion of the season.

A few plays later, running back Alfred Morris found a hole and burst through for a 14 yard score, putting the away team up 10-0 in the second quarter.

The possibility of a first half shutout was erased late in the second quarter after Griffin had thrown an interception with 1:04 left on the clock. The poor decision by Griffin marked the start of momentum swing to the home team as they quickly scored a touchdown four plays later and entering the half trailing just 10-7.

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The remainder of the game was a series of back and forth scoring, as the Redskins defense was unable to create pressure and get a any quality stops against Bridgewater and the Minnesota offense.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Washington led 26-21 and had the game in-hand. The defense would get another chance to protect the lead. Instead, Minnesota was able to sustain a long drive lasting almost six minutes that was finished off with Matt Asiata’s third rushing touchdown of the day and a successful two-point conversion.

Down 29-27 with under two minutes left, Robert Griffin III had a chance to be the savior and lead a game winning drive; something his critics want to see more of. On a 3rd and 20, Griffin rolled out and jogged for a 14-yard gain, cutting out two-thirds of the yardage. On 4th down, Griffin worked to the left and threw a wobbly off-target pass to an open receiver in Pierre Garcon who could not haul it in, turning the ball over on downs.

The story was much the same for the now 3-6 Washington Redskins. They had multiple opportunities to close the game. Yet, when it came to the crucial moments, they made the crucial mistakes.

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