As Robert Griffin, III jogged into the locker room after the first half of play against the Detroit Lions, the Washington Redskins quarterback must have felt pretty good about how the game was going even though the score was 17-14, Lions. This offense looks more like the squad that won the NFC East last year in the first 30 minutes of this game than they have in their two previous games.
The defense for the Burgundy and Gold had its moments in the first quarter but they also will probably want to forget a few things. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall is making pick-six’s early in games his signature play as much as linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is making ball tips for interceptions.
The Redskins scored early when Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a pass short right, intended for receiver Calvin Johnson and it was intercepted by Hall at the Detroit 17-yard line. Hall ran 17 yards for the touchdown.
The Lions came right back and scored on an eight-play. 48-yard drive that featured Detroit RB Joique Bell and wide outs Nate Burleson and Megatron on the entire drive. Bell scored on a 12-yard run off of Washington’s right guard, Chris Chester.
After that, it was if we were watching the Redskins offense slowly warm up and find themselves. Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan did dial up some options for Griffin, who took a few and looked like he was feeling more comfortable on his surgically repaired knee.
The Baylor grad was intercepted in the second quarter by Detroit cornerback Chris Houston but the drive after that was prolific as RGIII threw the ball to Aldrick Robinson, rookie tight end Justin Reed (look for a lot from this kid), Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan and Santana Moss. Alfred Morris tied the score on a 30-yard run.
The Lions pulled ahead in the final three minutes of the game with a field goal but the Redskins’ defense did hold them to that, playing good coverage on every receiver Stafford tried to engage.
Score at the half: Lions 17-Redskins 14.
Griffin completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 120 yards and one interception and a 61.6 passer rating. Morris was 7 carries for 56 and a touchdown.