After 86 combined points and eight lead changes the Washington/Chicago game finally came to the end with the Chicago back-up quarterback, Josh McCown, laying on the turf after being sacked by Barry Cofield. This was the most complete game Washington has played this season. Two out of three facets of the game played well enough to win and special teams kept Chicago in the game. It was more an early interception that led to a Chigaco touchdown by RGIII, a punt return for a touchdown by Devin Hester, and multiple penalties by Brandon Meriweather. If not for those plays Washington could have had a more comfortable victory. A victory worthy of 45 points and 499 offensive yards.
The important part of the game is that Washington won. The other part is that Brandon Meriweather should no longer be on an NFL playing field. He is a dangerous player that plays like he is trying to knock everyone out, including his own teammates, instead of playing the position of safety. Meriweather is not a good football player and when he is on the field does more harm to Washington’s efforts than good. They need someone there and with one draft pick out for the season, another in the Shanahan doghouse, and Reed Doughty facing a concussion Washington may have no other choice than using Meriweather, when he isn’t suspended.
The game started off like a typical 2013 Washington football game. They drove down the field to the red zone with a combination of big plays and then committed a mistake when RGIII missed the snap. They ended up settling for a field goal and then on their next possession turning it over in their own territory and allowing Chicago an easy score. This has been Washington’s recipe all season. One step forward and two or forty back. For every good thing they do they do several more bad, and this game was no different.
Washington’s offense had 499 total yards and scored 45 points, but the team only won by four points. That is due to the multitude of mistakes that they couldn’t help but make. That is mostly on Meriweather with a couple late hits on plays that could have ended Chicago drives, but instead of settling for a field goal or punting their drives remained alive and they got seven points. That more than anything was the worst offense Washington committed all game. Chicago’s offense had 359 total yards and were two of eight on third down conversions, but Washington gave them 47 yards on five penalties and worse than that were the free first downs.
Despite the mistakes Washington was able to win. That is largely due to the fact that RGIII was effective as both a runner and a thrower. This is who he is as a football player. His ability to be dynamic in two facets of the game is what made him a high draft pick and the electric quarterback that was the offensive rookie of the year. The running wasn’t all Griffin. Alfred Morris had 95 yards on 19 careers and Roy Helu Jr. tied a Washington record with three rushing touchdowns in a game. It was an impressive effort on the ground and Griffin added 289 yards and two touchdowns through the air. In the end the offensive effort was able to mask several miscues and Washington came away with their second win of the season.
