After two straight road games to open the season, the Washington Redskins returned to FedEx Field on Sunday, but didn’t get to enjoy the comforts of home.
The Redskins found themselves in a deep hole against the Cincinnati Bengals late in the first half but dug their way out in the third quarter to force a tie before falling behind by two touchdowns again in the fourth quarter. Washington mustered one final comeback attempt, but fell short and lost, 38-31.
After falling behind 24-7 and scoring 17 straight points to tie the game, Washington gave up two quick touchdowns before a two-yard touchdown run by Robert Griffin III with 3:38 left to play pulled the Redskins within a touchdown.
Washington failed on an ensuing onside kick attempt, but got a stop from its defense. The Redskins got the ball back on their own 2-yard line with only 1:47 left on the clock, however, and no timeouts left. Still they were able to drive to the Bengals’ 19 before a sack and penalties drove them backwards 40 yards and they fell short of victory.
The Redskins found themselves in that position after using two timeouts in the third quarter and another early in the fourth on a failed play challenge after a Sav Rocca punt. Officials ruled that his punt had touched the Bengals’ goal line and Cincinnati took over on its 20 yard line.
On the final drive, a sack on Griffin backed Washington up to the 34-yard line. A false start on Fred Davis and an unsportsmanlike conduct call on offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan put Washington in a third-and-50 situation at its own 41-yard line.
Griffin heaved a Hail Mary pass downfield, but it was deflected and fell harmlessly to the turf.
Washington fell to 1-2, while the Bengals improved to 2-1.
The Redskins were outgained 478-381, with 385 of Cincinnati’s yards coming through the air. The Redskins rushed for 213 yards, and won the time of possession battle (32:29 to 27:25), but couldn’t produce a victory. Griffin completed 21 of 34 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries to lead his team. The Bengals’ second-year quarterback, Andy Dalton, led Cincinnati, throwing for 328 yards and three touchdowns.
The Redskins found themselves in a deficit only 17 seconds into the game. Using some trickery to catch the Redskins off-guard, Cincinnati scored on the first play of the game.
Dalton split wide and receiver Mohamed Sanu lined up at quarterback in a wildcat formation. Receiver A.J. Green lined up in the slot and blew past safety DeJon Gomes before he hauled in a bomb from Sanu and streaked into the end zone for a 73-yard play.
The Redskins came out on offense and looked to establish the run game. Rookie Alfred Morris gained 10 yards on a run off right tackle on the first play from scrimmage. On the next play, he picked up 12 yards to the left, but when the play was blown dead, left tackle Trent Williams lay on the turf writhing in pain with an injury to his right knee.
After he was helped to his feet and limped off the field, Williams received treatment on the trainers’ table and tested out his knee. He retreated to the locker room and returned wearing a brace beneath his game pants.
The Redskins found themselves in a deep hole against the Cincinnati Bengals late in the first half but dug their way out in the third quarter to force a tie before falling behind by two touchdowns again in the fourth quarter. Washington mustered one final comeback attempt, but fell short and lost, 38-31.
After falling behind 24-7 and scoring 17 straight points to tie the game, Washington gave up two quick touchdowns before a two-yard touchdown run by Robert Griffin III with 3:38 left to play pulled the Redskins within a touchdown.
Washington failed on an ensuing onside kick attempt, but got a stop from its defense. The Redskins got the ball back on their own 2-yard line with only 1:47 left on the clock, however, and no timeouts left. Still they were able to drive to the Bengals’ 19 before a sack and penalties drove them backwards 40 yards and they fell short of victory.
The Redskins found themselves in that position after using two timeouts in the third quarter and another early in the fourth on a failed play challenge after a Sav Rocca punt. Officials ruled that his punt had touched the Bengals’ goal line and Cincinnati took over on its 20 yard line.
On the final drive, a sack on Griffin backed Washington up to the 34-yard line. A false start on Fred Davis and an unsportsmanlike conduct call on offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan put Washington in a third-and-50 situation at its own 41-yard line.
Griffin heaved a Hail Mary pass downfield, but it was deflected and fell harmlessly to the turf.
Washington fell to 1-2, while the Bengals improved to 2-1.
The Redskins were outgained 478-381, with 385 of Cincinnati’s yards coming through the air. The Redskins rushed for 213 yards, and won the time of possession battle (32:29 to 27:25), but couldn’t produce a victory. Griffin completed 21 of 34 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries to lead his team. The Bengals’ second-year quarterback, Andy Dalton, led Cincinnati, throwing for 328 yards and three touchdowns.
The Redskins found themselves in a deficit only 17 seconds into the game. Using some trickery to catch the Redskins off-guard, Cincinnati scored on the first play of the game.
Dalton split wide and receiver Mohamed Sanu lined up at quarterback in a wildcat formation. Receiver A.J. Green lined up in the slot and blew past safety DeJon Gomes before he hauled in a bomb from Sanu and streaked into the end zone for a 73-yard play.
The Redskins came out on offense and looked to establish the run game. Rookie Alfred Morris gained 10 yards on a run off right tackle on the first play from scrimmage. On the next play, he picked up 12 yards to the left, but when the play was blown dead, left tackle Trent Williams lay on the turf writhing in pain with an injury to his right knee.
After he was helped to his feet and limped off the field, Williams received treatment on the trainers’ table and tested out his knee. He retreated to the locker room and returned wearing a brace beneath his game pants.