Who had the Redskins scoring 40 points and
totaling 464 yards of offense in the Superdome in
the opener?
Drew Brees, Robert Griffin III New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) greets Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) after an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 40-32. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) is sacked in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Roy Helu, Jonathan Casillas Washington Redskins running back Roy Helu (29) tries to elude New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Casillas (52) in the first half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Martez Wilson, Sav Rocca New Orleans Saints defensive end Martez Wilson (95) blocks a punt by Washington Redskins punter Sav Rocca (6) resulting in a Saints touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
Jimmy Graham, DeJon Gomes, Brian Orakpo New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) carries the ball as Washington Redskins free safety DeJon Gomes (24) and linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) pursue in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
Drew Brees, DeAngelo Hall, DeJon Gomes New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) and free safety DeJon Gomes (24) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
DeAngelo Hall Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) reacts after sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
Mike Shanahan Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan yells from the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
Roman Harper, Alfred Morris New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) tries to tackle Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
Josh Wilson, Marques Colston Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson (26) breaks up a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) reacts to the crowd after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 40-32. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
Robert Griffin III, Spike Lee Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) shakes hands with director Spike Lee after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) reacts to the crowd after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 40-32. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
Alfred Morris Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) scores a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
Drew Brees, DeAngelo Hall New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 40-32. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
ldrick Robinson Washington Redskins wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (11) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Josh Morgan, right, in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 40-32. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
AP Photo/Bill Haber
Robert Griffin III, Spike Lee Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) poses for a photo with filmmaker Spike Lee, center, after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 40-32. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) reacts to the crowd after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 40-32. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
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NEW ORLEANS – Who had the Redskins scoring 40 points and totaling 464 yards of offense in the Superdome in the opener?
Not me.
It was quite an afternoon Sunday and a very efficient performance from Mike Shanahan’s team. The Redskins were well-prepared and the Saints were out-coached.
Let’s be honest, you couldn’t script an opener any better for a rookie quarterback. Robert Griffin III threw for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns as the Redskins took down the Saints 40-32. His passer rating in the first half was perfect – the first rookie since the merger to achieve the standing. He came out of the gate firing, completing his first eight passes.
Griffin’s first NFL touchdown was an 88-yard strike to Pierre Garcon, a play he saw from his backside after the Saints came with the blitz.
“Pierre was the primary receiver on that, so I had enough time to look back to him and throw it to him. Pierre ran across the middle, caught it, and did a good job finishing the play,” Griffin said.
The team gave Griffin the ball from that touchdown, one of many I’m sure he hopes to accumulate.
If a rookie quarterback isn’t enough for you, how about the emergence of Alfred Morris? The rookie running back hit the ground running, racking up 96 yards and two touchdowns. He was very impressive in the preseason and it was no surprise he earned a start on Sunday.
I thought the defense played very well against an offense that set records last year. Drew Brees showed flashes of why he is a great quarterback in this league, giving his team a chance all the way to the end. As we all know, nothing can ever be that easy. This one wasn’t over until Reed Doughty’s interception on the goal line as time expired.
When the clock hit 00:00, the burgundy and gold faithful in the building were singing “Hail to the Redskins” and chanting “RG3!”
The Redskins passed one test in a very tough place to play.
