The Redskins dominated Arizona in time of possession and total yards Sunday at FedEx Field, but it still took a late-game field goal and a defensive stand to secure a 22-21 win.
That Graham Gano 34-yard field goal with 1:45 to go in the game followed a Rex Grossman-to-Santana Moss touchdown pass with about five minutes left in the fourth and capped a comeback and saved what should have been a dominating victory.
Washington controlled the time of possession in the game by a margin of 38:30 to 21:30. They also held a deciding lead in total yards, 455 to 324.
But the Redskins couldn't capitalize early in the game on all of their chances and let the Cardinals hang around.
Eventually, the combination of Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald clicked. The pair struck on a 73-yard bomb with 11 minutes to go in the game to give the Cards a 21-13 lead.
The Redskins, however, showed that same perseverance and determination they did in Week 1 and found a way to retake the lead with Grossman leading the offense.
And then the defense sealed the deal with a huge turnover.
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The Cardinals started their final drive at their own 20, but it took just one play for the Skins to get it back. Kolb hit Chansi Stuckey for 12 yards, but Byron Westbrook forced a fumble with a strong hit on the wide receiver, and Reed Doughty recovered it to preserve the win.
Want some numbers? Grossman was 25 of 43 for 291 yards and two touchdowns, but he was also picked off twice. Tim Hightower rushed 20 times against his former team for 96 yards, and rookie Roy Helu added 74 yards on 10 carries, giving the Skins a respectable 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
Fred Davis was once again a force at tight end, hauling in six catches for 86 yards and touchdown.
Defensively, London Fletcher picked off Kolb while Rocky McIntosh, Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo each sacked him once.
Our Redskins writer Jack Anderson will have more analysis on the game soon. But in the meantime, share your thoughts with other fans across the area in the comment section below.
