In a game that had the makings of a shootout between two of the NFL’s hottest quarterbacks, the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons slogged their way through a low-scoring affair by their standards Sunday as the Redskins lost franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III to a third quarter concussion.
Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who entered the game with the best passer rating in the league, lacked his usual effectiveness, but did enough to deliver his team to a 24-17 victory. Atlanta improved to 5-0 on the season.
Griffin took a hit to the head in the third quarter, and Washington had to rely on rookie Kirk Cousins to bring them back from behind. But Cousins threw two interceptions in the final stretch of the fourth quarter, and Washington fell to 2-3 on the season and lost its eighth straight at home.
“We knew he had a mild concussion, at least according to the doctors. It feels good right now, a lot better right now,” Coach Mike Shanahan said after the game. “But that was the situation and why he didn’t go back into the game.” When he was questioned, Griffin didn’t know what the score was or what quarter it was, Shanahan said.
As for what’s next for Griffin, Shanahan said:
“He’ll have to go through a number of tests before he’s cleared. ... “Then we’ll find out as time goes by and see how he does on those tests.”
The Redskins entered the fourth quarter with a 10-7 lead, but had to play without their rookie start and couldn’t hang on against the unbeaten Falcons, who outscored them 17-7 in the final stanza to secure the victory.
Both teams entered the game having displayed an ability to put points on the board (Atlanta averaged 31.0 per game and Washington 30.8), but neither offense got in gear during the first quarter.
The Falcons managed only 70 yards on three possessions and never ventured across midfield. Washington, meanwhile, mustered only 30 yards and went 0-for-2 on two third-down conversion attempts in the first quarter.
Washington got on the board first, but the points came from their defense. Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan leaped to snag a Ryan screen pass and rumbled 28 yards for a touchdown. It was the second interception and touchdown of Kerrigan’s career; as a rookie last season, Kerrigan deflected and intercepted a pass in his first career game and scored against the Giants.
The play also marked Washington's third defensive touchdown this season. The last time the Redskins had at least three defensive touchdowns in one season was 1999, when they totaled four.
The defense came up with another first-half takeaway thanks to a botched snap between Atlanta center Todd McClure and Ryan. Redskins inside linebacker Perry Riley recovered the ball at his team’s 32-yard line.
The offense had its best possession of the game, going 55 yards down to the Atlanta 13-yard line in five plays (a 20-yard catch-and-run by running back Alfred Morris followed by a 29-yard run by the rookie were the highlights). But Washington squandered the opportunity.
With his team denied on third down, kicker Billy Cundiff lined up for a 31-yard field goal and missed it wide right. The miss followed last week’s dismal performance by the kicker, who missed three field goals before hitting te game-winner against Tampa Bay.
Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who entered the game with the best passer rating in the league, lacked his usual effectiveness, but did enough to deliver his team to a 24-17 victory. Atlanta improved to 5-0 on the season.
Griffin took a hit to the head in the third quarter, and Washington had to rely on rookie Kirk Cousins to bring them back from behind. But Cousins threw two interceptions in the final stretch of the fourth quarter, and Washington fell to 2-3 on the season and lost its eighth straight at home.
“We knew he had a mild concussion, at least according to the doctors. It feels good right now, a lot better right now,” Coach Mike Shanahan said after the game. “But that was the situation and why he didn’t go back into the game.” When he was questioned, Griffin didn’t know what the score was or what quarter it was, Shanahan said.
As for what’s next for Griffin, Shanahan said:
“He’ll have to go through a number of tests before he’s cleared. ... “Then we’ll find out as time goes by and see how he does on those tests.”
The Redskins entered the fourth quarter with a 10-7 lead, but had to play without their rookie start and couldn’t hang on against the unbeaten Falcons, who outscored them 17-7 in the final stanza to secure the victory.
Both teams entered the game having displayed an ability to put points on the board (Atlanta averaged 31.0 per game and Washington 30.8), but neither offense got in gear during the first quarter.
The Falcons managed only 70 yards on three possessions and never ventured across midfield. Washington, meanwhile, mustered only 30 yards and went 0-for-2 on two third-down conversion attempts in the first quarter.
Washington got on the board first, but the points came from their defense. Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan leaped to snag a Ryan screen pass and rumbled 28 yards for a touchdown. It was the second interception and touchdown of Kerrigan’s career; as a rookie last season, Kerrigan deflected and intercepted a pass in his first career game and scored against the Giants.
The play also marked Washington's third defensive touchdown this season. The last time the Redskins had at least three defensive touchdowns in one season was 1999, when they totaled four.
The defense came up with another first-half takeaway thanks to a botched snap between Atlanta center Todd McClure and Ryan. Redskins inside linebacker Perry Riley recovered the ball at his team’s 32-yard line.
The offense had its best possession of the game, going 55 yards down to the Atlanta 13-yard line in five plays (a 20-yard catch-and-run by running back Alfred Morris followed by a 29-yard run by the rookie were the highlights). But Washington squandered the opportunity.
With his team denied on third down, kicker Billy Cundiff lined up for a 31-yard field goal and missed it wide right. The miss followed last week’s dismal performance by the kicker, who missed three field goals before hitting te game-winner against Tampa Bay.