Hail to the Rexskins

Redskins fans had a queasy feeling when Rex Grossman lost a fumble early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's season opener against the Giants.

In recent years, this would have been the turning point. The spot where the Redskins -- who held a seven-point lead at the time -- would choke, give up said lead and eventually lose the game.

But, low and behold, that didn't happen Sunday at FedEx Field. The Redskins' defense didn't let the Giants gain a first down on their ensuing possession, and ended up blocking the field-goal attempt.

That block quickly put momentum back in the Redskins' corner and they carried it through to a 28-14 win.

You know what else it did? It made Skins fans take notice -- maybe this year really will be different.

There was a lot of good to come out of the game. Newly anointed starter Rex Grossman threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns. New starting tailback Tim Hightower added 75 combined rushing and receiving yards and a touchdown. Tight end Fred Davis picked up his first 100-yard receiving game of his career.

Oh, and perhaps most importantly, the Redskins' defense looked very, very good against Eli Manning and Co. The defense sacked Manning four times, blocked the aforementioned field goal attempt and rookie Ryan Kerrigan scored an impressive touchdown after jumping high in the air to deflect a Manning throw, then grab it out of mid-air and rumble nine yards into the end zone to give the Redskins a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Combine all of that, and it's hard not to have a little more spring in your step if you're a Redskins' fan.

Of course, it's just one game in a long, long season. And skeptics will chalk this one up to a Giants squad being banged up beyond recognition.

But the way the Redskins won just may be a sign that the Redskins won't be the losers many people have come to expect when they think of the Dan Snyder-owned franchise.

Ponder all of that and leave your comments below. Then check back for our Redskins beat writer Jack Anderson's game analysis later on this evening.

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