September 17, 2012
By Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
You win some, you lose some.
In a game plagued with questionable penalties by replacement referees, as well as injuries to their defense, the Redskins fell to the Rams 31-28.
The Skins took an early lead, thanks to a fumbled pass by Danny Amendola, which Josh Wilson returned for a 30-yard defensive touchdown. However, this was Amendola’s only mishap of the day, as he connected with Rams quarterback Sam Bradford fifteen times for 160 yards and a touchdown.
Griffin completed 20 of his 29 passes for 206 yards, one touchdown, and the first interception of his NFL career. While his 68-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Hankerson was exciting, Griffin was overall more impressive—and dangerous—on the ground, rushing for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
Leading 21-16 going into halftime, the Redskins scored just seven points in the second half. Their defense, which lost both defensive end Adam Carriker and outside linebacker Brian Orakpo in the first quarter, was unable to contain Bradford, who threw for over 300 yards and a career high three touchdowns.
After a late fourth quarter Rams touchdown and successful two-point conversion, St. Louis extended their lead to three, and it looked like a done deal for Washington.
There was a final glimmer of hope when DeAngelo Hall recovered a fumble by St. Louis’ Daryl Richardson with 2:40 left in the game. Washington was moving the ball into Rams territory when receiver Josh Morgan caught the ball on 3rd & 8, just one yard shy of the first down line. Unable to control his temper, Morgan threw the ball at Rams defender Cortland Finnegan—and was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.
This pushed the Skins out of comfortable field goal range, but they went for it anyway. Billy Cundiff’s 62-yard attempt sailed wide right, and all hope for the Redskins vanished.
Coach Mike Shanahan was displeased with Morgan, saying in the post-game conference, “You can’t lose your poise. You lose your poise, obviously good things don’t happen.”
RG3 also told reporters he was hoping until the last minute that his efforts hadn’t been in vain.
“I thought we were going for it—but in a dome, 62 [yards]is far, but it’s not that far. I was on a knee and I hoped that it would go through.”
The Redskins, particularly Morgan, will have a chance to redeem themselves next Sunday, when they host the Cincinnati Bengals in their home opener.
