WASHINGTON — There had been talk of locker room talk among the Redskins —internal grumblings born out of frustration from a 0-2 start. After Sunday’s 29-27 win over the Giants the conversation has changed and the team’s character has emerged.
When the Redskins fell behind 14-3 to the Giants on the road, there was every reason to believe the team was about to fold like a beach chair on Labor Day. Instead, the Redskins kept fighting and that included on the sideline where linemen Chris Baker was caught yelling at defensive coordinator Joe Barry after the Giants scored their third touchdown of the first half.
Before it got better for the Redskins, it got worse. On third and goal from the Giants 4-yard-line Kirk Cousins ran out of time and was sacked at the end of the first half to allow the Giants to keep a 21-16 lead. Again the Redskins struggled inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and were 0-4 in the red zone.
Oh, and there were injuries. Four starters — Kory Lichtensteiger, Shawn Lauvao, Bashad Breeland, and DeAngelo Hall — were forced to the sideline with ailments. It was hardly a recipe for success.
Unfazed the Redskins persevered and prevailed. Big plays were made when they were needed the most. Rookie Su’a Cravens’ interception with a little over a minute left sealed the win. Before that second-year player Quinton Dunbar not only had an interception, but a reception on a fake punt.
Josh Norman noted that the Redskins showed that they are “fighters, fighters to the end.” It is a fighting spirit that will serve the Redskins well in a league where parity is celebrated and tenacity can be just as important as talent.
