Cumberland Times-News

Local Sports

Related Photos

  • The injured knee of Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III buckles as he reaches for a low snap Sunday during the fourth quarter of the NFC wild-card playoff game against Seattle. Griffin did not return. The Seahawks won 24-14. Associated Press

    Redskins’ run ends with painful loss
January 6, 2013

Redskins’ run ends with painful loss

RG3 injures knee in 24-14 loss

Associated Press

LANDOVER  — Robert Griffin III reached too far for the football, his already injured right leg twisting gruesomely behind him.

Just like that, Griffin was done. And so were the Washington Redskins.

The Seattle Seahawks finally won a road playoff game, snapping an eight-game postseason skid away from home with a 24-14 NFC wild-card victory Sunday over the Redskins, who lost Griffin to another knee injury in the fourth quarter.

“I think I did put myself at more risk by being out there,” Griffin said. “But every time you get on the field, you’re putting yourself on the line.”

Griffin didn’t know what the injury was, and coach Mike Shanahan said the rookie quarterback was scheduled for an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

Washington won seven straight games to win the NFC East title and become the only team in the 16 years to make the playoffs after a 3-6 start. But any hope for a late comeback win against the Seahawks ended once Griffin’s heavily braced right knee buckled badly as he strained to field a bad shotgun snap in the fourth quarter. He lay on the ground, unable to recover the ball as the Seahawks pounced on it.

Though Griffin walked off the field under his own power after several minutes and saluted the fans, the Redskins (10-7) quickly announced he would not return.

“If you didn't pull him out then, you should get fired,” Shanahan said.

“It was hard to watch RGIII tonight,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “It was hard on him. He was freaking gallant.”

Despite Griffin’s struggles, Shanahan left him in the game. Not that Griffin would have accepted an early exit.

“I probably would been right back out there on the field,” Griffin said. “You respect authority, and I respect Coach Shanahan. But at the same time, you have to step up and be a man, sometimes. There was no way I was coming out of that game.”

Griffin completed 10 of 19 passes for 84 yards with two touchdowns and an interception and ran for 21 yards on five carries.

“I don’t feel like me being out there hurt the team in any way,” Griffin said. “I’m the best option.”

Shanahan said he spoke with Griffin throughout the game about the quarterback’s health.

“He said, ‘Hey, trust me. I want to be in there, and I deserve to be in there,’” Shanahan said. “I couldn’t disagree with him.”

Meanwhile, Marshawn Lynch ran for 131 yards and a touchdown and Russell Wilson completed 15 of 26 passes for 187 yards and ran eight times for 67 yards for the Seahawks, who broke an eight-game postseason losing streak away from home.

Seattle (12-5) will visit Atlanta next Sunday.

Lynch’s 27-yard run with 7:08 remaining gave the Seahawks their first lead of the game - and then Seattle held on for the win.

Griffin tossed touchdown passes to Evan Royster and Logan Paulsen as Washington scored on its first two drives to take a 14-0 lead, but Seattle rallied to move on to the next round.

Text Only
Local Sports