Well, that was a weird one.
After eight lead changes, five ties and the second-most points in a game this season, the Washington Redskins have their second win of the year -- a 45-41 doozie -- at the expense of the Chicago Bears.
Redskins fans can crow about a gritty performance from Robert Griffin III, but Sunday's victory comes with a caution flag, as Washington's defense remains a ship lost at sea. After a promising start, the Redskins allowed a pile of yards and 40-plus points to an offense led by Josh McCown, who replaced the injuredJay Cutler in the second quarter.
Bears fans should be equally concerned about Chicago's D. Griffin had his way running the ball, and he made rookie tight end Jordan Reed look like the second coming of Jimmy Graham. The ascendant Reed hauled in nine catches for 134 yards and a touchdown, with most of that damage coming in wide-open spaces against out-of-place Bears defenders.
On NFL Network
NFL Replay
will re-air the
Washington Redskins' 45-41 win over the
Chicago Bears from Week 7 on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 9 p.m. ET.
Here's what else we learned Sunday:
- Cutler limped off the field with a groin injury after he was sacked in the second quarter by Redskins defensive end Chris Baker. The Bears quarterback never returned, and one team source told NFL Media columnist Michael Silver that Cutler's injury "sounds bad." NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Jordan Palmer is expected to sign with the Bears on Monday, per a source.
- Devin Hester returned a Redskins' punt 81 yards to the house and right into the recordbooks. His 19 career return touchdowns are tied with Deion Sanders for the most in NFL history.
"My hat is off to him. He is like a little brother to me," Sanders said Sunday on NFL Network's "NFL GameDay." I love him and I am praying he does break the record because he is the best return man to have ever played this game -- ever."
- Bears coach Marc Trestman said the game plan won't change with McCown at the controls. Cutler's backup played well, but a healthy dose of Matt Forte didn't hurt. We talk about Jamaal Charles as an MVP candidate, but let's not ignore the fine season Forte is having. He came into the week with a 100/442/3 rushing line and 33/244/0 receiving. That's pretty close to Charles on the ground (114/475/5) and through the air (33/300/2).
On Sunday, Forte piled up 109 total yards and became the first Bear to score threerushingtouchdowns in a game since Rashaan Salaam in 1995.
- In this wacky affair, Forte wasn't alone. Roy Helu toted the ball 11 times for 41 yards and threetouchdowns of his own. Washington appears serious about giving him a bigger role on offense, but this backfield still belongs to Alfred Morris.
- This Redskins defense can't tackle. The missed opportunities cost Washington yardage and points, especially in the secondary.
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