Recapping Robert Griffin III’s Week 1 Performance

There was immense pressure on Robert Griffin III going into Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.

He didn’t have a great preseason, as his first-team offense wasn’t able to score a touchdown. And, backup quarterback Kirk Cousins has shown signs of running Redskins head coach Jay Gruden’s offense better.

I think it’s safe to say that Griffin had a lot to prove. So, how did he fair in Week 1?

Statistically Griffin played a pretty efficient game. He completed 29-of-37 passes for 267 yards. And even though he failed to throw a touchdown pass, he didn’t throw any interceptions either.

But, sometimes stats can be a bit misleading. While Griffin didn’t make any critical mistakes, he also didn’t make any game-changing plays. And as a quarterback with all types of weapons around him, Griffin is expected to make plays for his team.

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There was a play in the first quarter where wide receiver Andre Roberts was wide open down the right sideline, but Griffin threw an inaccurate pass that caused Roberts to land out-of-bounds after catching it. It was ruled incomplete — and it was close — but after challenging it, the ruling on the field stood.

That could have shifted the momentum in the Redskins favor, as both offenses were struggling to get things going early on. The first nine possessions of the game — for both offenses combined — ended in punts.

You would come to expect that out of Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but not out of Griffin and this offense that has “high-powered” potential.

On a play in the third quarter, after the Redskins were putting together a beautiful drive, a roughing the passer penalty was called on Texans safety D.J. Swearinger. It was a questionable call, and after looking at the replay I didn’t agree with the penalty myself. However, with the Redskins trailing at the time, of course I was satisfied with it going their way.

They had the ball inside the Texans 10-yard line after the penalty. On the very next play, Griffin tripped over his offensive lineman’s leg — as he attempted to hand the ball off to running back Alfred Morris — and fumbled. Texans’ J.J. Watt recovered the fumble, and again, Washington squandered an opportunity to score.

He did spread the ball out well amongst the receivers. Pierre Garçon had 10 catches for 77 yards, DeSean Jackson had eight receptions for 62 yards and Niles Paul had four receptions for 86 yards. Tight end Jordan Reed, who is expected to have a big season, was injured in the first quarter — he’s consistently had troubles with injuries.

Griffin’s best pass of the game came on a deep route down the middle of the field to Paul, who ran it down inside the Texans 10-yard line before fumbling — Houston recovered.

Even though these receivers had the catches, you’ll notice it wasn’t for many yards. There were many dink and dunk passes to try to counter the Texans’ pass rush. But, with the speedsters the Redskins have on offense, there should have been more plays designed down field. They had to at least threaten the Texans secondary — which they didn’t do.

I understand that Gruden wants to protect his quarterback, but Griffin also didn’t do much of any running. He had just three rushes for two yards. Gruden has to understand that Griffin’s strength is getting out of the pocket and extending plays. He didn’t do any of that. Yes, pressure from Watt and company plays a part in that, but in the same token — isn’t Griffin able to outrun Watt? Well I know at least at one point and time he was, now I’m honestly not sure.

I think Griffin played a decent game. But he still didn’t look like the Griffin we came to know back in 2012. It almost looks as if he’s trying too hard to be a pocket passer. That’s not his game. He looked very uncomfortable and just didn’t look like himself.

Hopefully Gruden noticed this, and begins to cater the playbook towards Griffin’s strengths. This offense has too much talent for them not to excel.

Sooner or later, fans could start calling for Cousins.

Josiah Turner