Sunday, December 9, 2012

Redskins comeback to win "the Battle of the Beltway"

By Michael "Moe" Murphy
Washington Redskins Correspondent
Clarke County Sports  / Loudountimes.com

Robert Griffin III leaves the field in the fourth 
quarterwith a knee injury. 
           Photo Michael "Moe" Murphy/ LTM / CCS
LANDOVER, MD- (12/9/12) The Washington Redskins battled the elements, injuries, and a tough Baltimore Raven squad and came out with a thrilling 31-28 overtime victory in front of 81,178 screaming fans. Kai Forbath's 34 yard field goal at 11:47 in overtime was the deciding factor.

“It was huge. Huge win for our team."Forbath said, " I was telling [punter] Sav [Rocca] that a lot of NFL games come down to field goals and we hadn’t had one, so I kind of had a feeling today was going to and it did. Fortunately, we came out on the right side of it.”
 
The Redskins had to come from behind without their field general Robert Griffin III. Griffin was injured in the fourth quarter, left the game, returned and then left for the remainder of the game with a knee injury.

“I was trying to make a play. I got outside and turned inside, and once I turned inside, I said ‘Oh lord, here we go,’ and got down."Griffin said, "I protected myself in that regard. It was just a freak play. My leg got hit while I was going down and after I was already down, my leg got hit again. It was a pretty painful experience, but I will be alright.”

Kirk Cousins entered the game and was able to complete the game tieing drive finished off by a two point quarterback draw to knot the score at 28-28 with 29 seconds to go in the game.

“The touchdown was an off-schedule play, I tried to start my read and did not feel comfortable in the pocket and waiting on it."Cousins said, "So I thought ‘I am going to make something happen and try to do my best ‘RGIII,’ if you will. Pierre ended up coming off his route and breaking away, breaking open, wide open, all I had to do was put it in his arms.”

Redskins linebacker London Fletcher celebrates after an interception
photo by Michael "Moe" Murphy  / LTM / CCS 2012

Baltimore appeared to have the game put away when Ray Rice scored on a 7 yard run with 4:47 to go in the game to put the Ravens up by eight.

Obviously, I’m very proud of our team on the way we kept fighting." Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said, "We had some outs in the game, but with the way we finished it, the way the guys stepped up and made some plays at the end of the game was very impressive. I’m really proud of the way the guys played.”

After the Redskins appeared to lose a fumble on the ensuing kickoff the call was overturned and the ball was maintained by Washington. The drive started with Robert Griffin III and ended with Kirk Cousins at the helm.

“It was a hard, tough and disappointing loss. Congratulations to the Redskins for getting it done the way they did at the end of the game."Raven Coach John Harbaugh said, "They deserved to win because of the way they played at the end of the game, but we are not going to be disheartened."
 
 Video camera operator William "Billy " Ector
 

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