Redskins Pull Out Back-And-Forth 45-41 Victory Over Bears

Helu. Is it me you're looking for?

The unheralded Redskins running back rushed for three scores, rookie tight end Jordan Reed caught nine passes for 134 yards and the local professional football team -- for the anti-nickname crowd -- improved to 2-4 in a 45-41 win over the Chicago Bears.

The Redskins took an early 3-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal by Kai Forbath, but the Bears responded with 10 points in 61 seconds. Robbie Gould's 47-yard field goal tied the game, and on the ensuing drive, Charles Tillman intercepted fellow Copperas Cove, Tx. native Robert Griffin III. That led to Matt Forte leaping into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown run.

Helu's 14-yard run tied the game at 10-10 and Brian Orakpo returned his first career interception for a touchdown to restore Washington's lead at 17-10, but it was short-lived. One week after the Redskins' special teams unit let them down in a loss to the Cowboys, the same unit gave up its second 80-plus punt return in as many weeks. This time, it was Devin Hester with an 81-yarder. It was Hester's 13th career punt return, which extended his own NFL record, and the first time in over 60 years that the Redskins have allowed punt returns in back-to-back games. Reed gave the Redskins their first halftime lead of the season at 24-17 on a touchdown grab.

Then a lot happened. Here's the CliffsNotes version:

Both defenses apparently decided to take the second half off. With Jay Cutler out with a groin injury, the Bears initially ran their offense through Forte, who rushed for two more touchdowns, including a 50-yarder.
Aldrick Robinson gave Washington the lead at 38-31 on a 45-yard touchdown catch made possible by a comedy of defensive errors. Chris Conte tripped over himself and Tillman was out of position and therefore unable to make a play on what could and should have been an easy interception.
Brandon Meriweather still does not know how to tackle. Another helmet-to-helmet hit and a personal foul that set up a Bears touchdown on the following play for the "safety," which seems almost ironic. Dude needs a refresher course.
The game featured eight lead changes and was the second-highest scoring game of the NFL season behind the Broncos' 51-48 victory over the Cowboys on Oct. 6.

Speaking of Denver, that is where Washington is headed next week to face Peyton Manning & Co.