Redskins fans have two things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: the play of Robert Griffin III and the kicking leg of Kai Forbath, both instrumental in Washington's 38-31 win over the rival Dallas Cowboys. Griffin threw for three touchdowns in the second quarter alone to help give the Redskins a 28-3 halftime lead.
Redskins vs. Cowboys final score: Griffin dominates, Redskins survive shootout 38-31
The Redskins went up big early and survived a furious comeback to claim a 38-31 victory over their riva, thel Dallas Cowboys.
Ronald Martinez
The Cowboys manged to take a 3-0 lead heading into the second quarter before the Redskins' offense got going. Scoring on four consecutive drives, Griffin first hit Aldrick Robinson with a 68-yard pass touchdown pass to give the Redskins a 7-3 lead. On the next drive, Alfred Morris scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. Griffin then hit Pierre Garcon on a short pass that Garcon turned into a 59-yard score to put the Redskins up 21-3.
Just before the end of the half, a pass from Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was picked off by cornerback DeAngelo Hall, setting up another score. Griffin rolled out and completed the throw to Santana Moss, who kept both feet in bounds to give the Redskins a 28-3 lead.
The game started to swing in the Cowboys' favor at the end of the third quarter when Romo scrambled out of the pocket, hitting Dez Bryant on the run. Bryant then took the ball 85 yards for the touchdown to make the score 28-13. The Redskins looked like they were going to put the game away when Griffin hit Niles Paul, who was so wide open he literally rolled in to the end zone to put the Redskins up 35-13.
The Cowboys put together their best drive of the day on the next possession, ending with Romo hitting Felix Jones for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Two plays later, a Griffin pass intended for Josh Morgan was picked off by Charlie Peprah. Romo then hit Bryant on fourth-and-four to make the score 35-28.
Griffin led the Redskins down the field on the next drive, setting up a Forbath 48-yard field goal to extend the Redskins’ lead to 38-28. The Cowboys only managed to put three more points on the board before the clock hit zero, giving the Redskins a 38-31 victory.
Fantasy studs and duds
Kudos to you if Griffin is your fantasy football team’s starting quarterback. The rookie threw for 311 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. He also rushed for 29 yards on six attempts.
After a really disappointing first half, Romo had himself an incredible second half, finishing with 441 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Romo's passing also resulted in good games for Bryant (145 yards and two touchdowns) and tight end Jason Witten (nine catches, 74 yards).
Even the game’s fantasy dud had a decent game. Felix Jones was dreadful on the ground, rushing for just 14 yards, but he did manage to get into the end zone, making him not a total bust on the day for fantasy owners.
Injury report
Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin left the game in the first half with a hip strain. No update was given on his injury during the game. Linebacker Bruce Carter suffered an elbow injury during the third quarter and also didn't return to the game. Redskins linebacker London Fletcher injured his ankle in the third quarter and did not return to the game.
Did they cover?
The Cowboys opened as 3½-point favorites and failed to cover.
What’s next?
12/2 Philadelphia at Dallas, 8:20 p.m. ET
12/3 New York Giants at Washington, 8:30 p.m. ET
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