| Redskins QB Robert Griffin III had his moments against the Bengals, but Cincinnati outscored the rookie en route to a second straight win. (AP) |
The Redskins had hoped part of the formula with a rookie quarterback would be a strong defense, one that could smooth Robert Griffin III’s transition to the NFL. Instead, it’s Griffin who has to save the Redskins’ defense -- and Sunday he couldn’t do it.
While Griffin tried to rally the Redskins in their 38-31 loss to Cincinnati, a defense that surrenders big plays continues to let them down. Washington allowed seven pass plays for at least 20 yards, giving them 16 such plays this season.
“I thought the defense was going to be the strength of our team,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said.
It isn’t. So the Redskins (1-2) now will ride on Griffin's right arm and both legs. He drove them to the Bengals’ 19-yard line with 29 seconds remaining, but a sack, a false start and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty left them with one Hail Mary attempt. And a loss.
The defense allowed touchdowns of 73, 48 and 59 yards. Cincinnati (2-1) scored 34 or more points in consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 4, 2005.
Though the Redskins were missing defensive starters in LB Brian Orakpo and DE Adam Carriker, the loss was more about sloppy secondary coverage than anything else. Safety DeJon Gomes, CB Richard Crawford, CB Josh Wilson and CB DeAngelo Hall all were victimized.
It’s amazing how in two weeks the positive vibes from a strong opening win at New Orleans have vanished.
When the game turned: The Redskins faced fourth and 1 at the Bengals’ 44-yard line with 13:41 left in the game and were poised to go for a first down. But after a time out, the Redskins reconsidered and punted. Cincinnati then drove 80 yards in five plays for the go-ahead score. After a Redskins punt, the Bengals drove 72 yards in four plays for a 14-point lead.
Highlight moment: The Bengals caught the Redskins napping on the first play of the game, lining up in wildcat formation with rookie receiver Mohammed Sanu taking the direct snap. The Redskins clearly anticipated a run as every player was within seven yards of the ball. But A.J. Green sped past DeJon Gomes and caught a perfect pass from Sanu for a 73-yard score.
Top-shelf performance: Bengals receiver A.J. Green caught nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. Bengals QB Andy Dalton completed 19 of 27 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns. RG3 threw for 221 yards and ran 12 times for 85 yards.
Numbers you should know:
- The Redskins started 10 of their 13 drives at their own 20-yard line or worse. But their three touchdown drives occurred in those situations. They managed one field goal on two drives that started inside the 50.
- Redskins LB Rob Jackson intercepted his first pass and did so while diving into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown. He started in place of injured Brian Orakpo.
- Bengals RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis fumbled for the first time in his NFL career after 590 carries.
- DE Michael Johnson’s three sacks were the most by a Bengal since Antwan Odom in 2009.
What they said about the Bengals’ big plays:
- Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton -- “We are capable of doing it. The biggest thing for us is that once we get the chance, we have to hit them and we hit enough of them today. … We felt like we knew what they were doing going into [the cover zero] by the way they were playing.”
- Bengals WR A.J. Green on his 73-yard TD -- “They ran some different defense when they singled up against the wildcat, and we saw the middle of the field was wide open. We know that Sanu could throw the ball, and he put it in the bread basket and I ran right under it. I was just praying, ‘Let me go get it.’ Because once I was by him I saw I was wide open. It was a perfect ball.”
- Redskins CB Josh Wilson -- “It’s surprising. We’re way better than this.”
Injury update: LT Trent Williams sprained his right knee in the first quarter and will undergo an MRI Sunday night. Williams returned in the second half, but left after one series. CB Cedric Griffin injured his hamstring in the first half and did not return. RB Evan Royster hurt his knee and did not return.
Going forward: The Redskins are in a precarious spot after two straight losses, heading to Tampa Bay to face another 1-2 team. Then Washington returns for home games against Atlanta and Minnesota. Cincinnati now has a chance to get on a hot streak, playing at Jacksonville before hosting Miami and then playing at Cleveland. All are winnable games.
John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSRedskins or @John_Keim.