Robert Griffin III makes successful NFL start as Washington Redskins dominate New Orleans Saints 40-32
Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III (RG3) made a successful National Football League (NFL) debut on Sunday, September 09, 2012 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome as the Redskins dominated last season’s playoff team New Orleans Saints, 40-32.
RG3 led the team from the front and scored a touchdown each in the first two quarters to give his team lead over the Saints, who played a competitive game but could not outscore the visitors.
The rookie completed 19 of his 26 passes for 320 yards and scored two touchdowns.
After the game, RG3 received praise from everyone including Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who is considered as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. RG3 said after the game:
“I've won a high school state championship and a bowl game in college, but to play in the NFL, the pinnacle of it all, and win your first game against a Hall of Famer in Drew Brees, it's at the top. After the game, (Brees) told me he was proud of me. That's big for him to say after he just lost the game."
Brees played well to keep the competition alive, but he somewhat struggled with his accuracy and threw two interceptions in the game. He completed 24 of his 52 attempted passes for 339 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Redskins made an aggressive start to the game and scored a field goal in the first quarter to take the lead. Saints got a touchdown later in the quarter as Brees and Jimmy Graham connected for a 20-yard touchdown.
Saints could not secure their lead for long as soon after they got the lead RG3 combined with Pierre Garcon for an 88-yard touchdown.
Redskins entered the second quarter with the lead that was further increased as RG3 got his second touchdown, which was followed by a field goal. Saints scored a touchdown towards the end of the quarter, but the Redskins still had the lead by halftime.
Redskins made successful start to another quarter as they increased their lead by scoring a touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter before the Saints got a field goal in the same quarter.
In the final quarter, Redskins got a field goal and a touchdown, while Saints managed two touchdowns.
On the last playing drive, the Saints were trailing by eight points. They desperately needed a touchdown that had to be followed by a successful two-point conversion to tie the score. However, Brees failed to connect with his receiver as the Redskins intercepted his pass in the end zone.
Despite the loss, Brees is hopeful that his team will come back strongly in the next games. He said after the game:
"We lost the first game of year last year and finished 13-3. So there's no doubt that we can do it and we have the mentality and the guys to do it."
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