The Washington Redskins and rookie QB Robert Griffin III got some good news tonight.  The MRI on his knee came back negative, showing no signs of any tear or significant ligament damage. The Redskins are classifying the injury as a knee sprain.  Currently, there is no time table set on how long, if at all, Griffin will be out. 

IT WAS OVER WHEN... Redskins CB/PR Richard Crawford, rookie 7th round pick, caught the punt at his own 12 yard line, made the first man miss and then picked up several blockers, including new DB Jerome Murphy, who really helped turn Crawford loose. He cut toward the middle of the field, raced across the 50 yard line and stumbled at the 30-yard line of the Ravens. Crawford was pulled down at the Baltimore 24-yard line after a 64-yard punt return in overtime in the first game he's ever played in the NFL as a punt returner. Ravens safety Ed Reed jumped offsides on first down, giving the Skins five free  yards to the 19 yard line. The Redskins ran a few desultory plays before sending Kyle Forbath on from the 16-yard line to kick a field goal for the 14th time this year. Like the first 13 times, Forbath kicked the football straight and true to win the game from 34 yards away. It was Forbath's third field goal of the game, previously hitting kicks of 48 yards and 49 yards in the third quarter. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING... I just heard ESPN 980 radio's postgame host refer to Robert Griffin III's performance today as merely "good." His final stats were 15-26 for 246 yards and 1 TD and no turnovers and a passer rating of 102.4. For almost anyone else that's a fantastic performance. The bar has been raised so high on RG3, by virtue of his own play, that a passer rating of 102.4 is something of a disappointment... The Redskins have the league's #1 rushing attack, but they were outgained on the ground today 186-172. Washington won the game because of five rookies -- RG3, Kirk Cousins, Alfred Morris, Richard Crawford and Kai Forbath -- and the fact that they won the turnover battle 2-1... Pierre Garcon had another fine game, catching 5 passes for 84 yards [17.4] and the game-tying TD.

(Patrick Semansky | The Associated Press)

I LIKED THAT... Anyone still want to complain about the Skins using a fourth round pick on Kirk Cousins? The young man came on twice in the fourth quarter and helped finish the game with a beautiful TD pass to WR Pierre Garcon. Then he ran in the 2-point conversion. Cousins never had to do anything in overtime but hand the ball off to Alfred Morris because of the great punt return by Richard Crawford, but based on what we've seen so far, there is no reason to believe Cousins couldn't have led the offense down the field for the winning score, if he'd had to do it... Crawford was great on punt returns today, with returns of 16, 20 and 64 yards. That's 100 yards on 3 punt returns. Not too shabby... PK Kai Forbath is 14 for 14 and real money for the Skins. He's hitting pressure kicks and difficult kicks... I love all the young talent on this team. 

I DID NOT LIKE THAT...The Redskins gave up 186 rushing yards and 5.2 yards per carry on the day... For the third straight week the Redskins defense only showed up for one half of football. Two weeks ago in Dallas, the defense was great in the first half, but non-existent in the second half. Last week against the Giants, the defense was nowhere to be found in the first half, but really showed up in the second half. Tonight, the defense was terrific again in the second half, but couldn't get out of its own way in the first half. The defense really needs to put up a complete game; it is putting too much pressure on the offense... Once again there were too many penalties -- 8 flags for 70 yards. The Redskins are the most-penalized team in the NFL and it is nothing to be proud of. The Skins are too undisciplined... CB DeAngelo Hall was terrible again, giving up two TD passes, numerous other completions and committed a stupid personal foul penalty for hitting a Ravens receiver well after the play was over... TE/KR Niles Paul dropped a pass and then fumbled a kickoff return with less than five minutes left in regulation, which the Redskins were fortunate did not cost them the game... Redskins wideouts and tight ends are committing too many penalties.

AND IT ALL MEANS... The Redskins are 7-6 and still in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Cowboys went into Cincinnati and beat the Bengals 20-19 to improve to 7-6, tied with the Skins. The Giants are leading at halftime of their home game against the Saints, as I write this. The Vikings unexpectedly defeated the Bears today, which  puts the Vikings at 7-6, but the Skins have a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Vikings. The Bears now fall to 8-5, only one game ahead of the Redskins in the wild card battle. The Seahawks romped over the hapless Arizona Cardinals, improving their record to 8-5, one game ahead of the Skins. Washington's best bet remains winning the NFC East by continuing to win games, with RG3 at the helm or not, and hoping the Giants lose. In any case, the future looks bright for the Redskins because it was five rookies -- Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, TB Alfred Morris, PK Kai Forbath and CB/PR Richard Crawford -- who delivered the victory today. 

It looks awful, but initial reports are guardedly optimistic. We'll know a lot more tomorrow. 

In the meantime, here is the injury play again -- if you dare to look.

A little good news.  Robert Griffin III appeared at the podium for post game comments without the aid of crutches.  We will report more when we know more.  Here is what RG3 had to say.

"I was trying to make aplay.  It was just a freak play.  As soon as I turned inside, I was like, 'Oh Lord', here we go.  After I was getting down, my leg got hit.  I wanted them to know I wanted to go back in and I did.

After returning, I knew I needed to get out at that point, I couldn't move.  You have to do what is right for the team.  You have to trust the other guys. It was pretty painful experience, but prayerfully I'll be allright."

"I'm not a doctor but I know what an ACL tear feels like.  It doesn't feel like an ACL." 

I feel pretty good.  I''m not too nervous.  I'll be praying during the MRI.  An Xray was good. "

"I knew it hurt.  I screamed - like a man of course."

Discuss it in our INJURY THREAD

TALK ABOUT IT

Wow.  The Washington Redskins have pulled off their fourth consecutive win in a bitter sweet victory over Beltway rival Baltimore in overtime, 31-28.  Bitter sweet because of the knee injury to QB Robert Griffin III.  And , folks, it doesn't look good for RG3  Who gets the Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down?

THUMBS UP:  There are several we can give, but we need to only give two because we always have.

QB Kirk Cousins:  Unlike bullpen relievers in baseball, Cousins had very little time to warm up.  I am almost positive that most Redskins fans thought the game was over who RG3 went down with a knee injury.  However, Kirk Cousins had a different outlook.  He delivered a huge TD strike to Pierre Garçon, rolling out under pressure, to pull the Redskins to within two points.  Cousins wasn't done.  On the two point conversion, Cousins took the snap, ran the ball right up the middle and converted the two point conversion, sending the game into overtime.  Cousins once again endeared himself to Redskins fans with a game saving performance in the midst of RG3 disaster.  He deserves a HUGE Thumbs Up!

K Kai Forbath:  What else can you say about this kid.  Forbath nailed 49 and 48 yard field goals and then connected the 34 yard game winner in overtime to lead the Redskins to a stunning 31-28 win in overtime.  Forbath's three field goals this game kept him perfect on the season at 14 for 14.  If you still had little doubt about Forbath, this game likely sealed any of that doubt.  Forbath's three converted field goals were right down the gut.  His accuracy is astounding.    The Redskins, after nearly twenty years, have found their kicker. 

Honorable Mention:  CB Richard Crawford:  How about that.  Mike Shanahan has finally given up on Brandon Banks in the return game, making him inactive.  Crawford came up huge in overtime, returning a punt 64 yards to put the Redskins within field goal range.  Forbath connected the 34 yarder to win it.  Right when the Redskins needed a huge return, Crawford delivered. 

THUMBS DOWN

CB DeAngelo Hall:  Hall gave up a TD pass, just clearly beaten.  Then, stunningly, Hall allowed Anquan Boldin to complete a 28 yard pass reception late in the fourth quarter, focusing too much on trying to punch the ball out of Boldin's hands, rather than make the tackle.  That allowed Boldin to pick up nearly 8 additional yards.  Pathetic display of defense by Hall.  Hall is what he is.  He is regularly inconsistent.  None more so than today.  A bad game for DHall.  

TE Niles Paul:  Paul had a dropped pass that would have been a first down.  Even more so, late in the game, he laid the ball on the field on a kick return.  Fortunately, the recovery by Baltimore was overturned by replay and the Redskins were able to keep the football.  If not, that would have been the back breaker.  Give me Aldrick Robinson on kick returns please.  

The Washington Redskins defeated the Baltimore Ravens today at FedEx Field 31-28 in overtime. Much more coverage to come, but backup rookie QB Kirk Cousins had to finish the game because Robert Griffin III was injured on a tackle off a scramble on the last Redskins drive of the fourth quarter. Cousins came in and finished the drive with a TD pass and a 2-point conversion to force overtime. Rookie PK Kai Forbath nailed a 34-yard FG to win the game in overtime. 

Griffin just addressed the media after the game and said he would probably be okay. He said he will get an MRI tonight, but he knows what a ACL tear feels like and he didn't feel it. Right now, the injury is being called a sprained knee. RG3 seemed hopeful he would be able to play on Sunday in Cleveland against the Browns. 

Apparently, an X-ray of the knee after the game looked good, but more information is required. The X-ray revealed no breaks in the leg or knee.

RG3 quotes after the game: 

"it was just a freak play. After I was getting down, my leg got hit. It was pretty painful. Prayerfully I'll be okI"

Here are your Washington Redskins inactives for today.

Qb Rex Grossman

OG Josh LeRibeus

WR Brandon Banks

OG Adam Gettis

LB Rodderick Muckelroy

OL Tom Compton

WR Dezmon Briscoe

Although most will be surprised to see Brandon Banks inactive, it really shouldn't be a shocker.  Banks has struggled with the return game,  which is his premier function on the roster.  

WHO: Baltimore Ravens @ Washington Redskins

WHAT: Week 14 of the 2012 NFL season

WHEN: Sunday December 9 at 1 PM

WHERE: FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland

After reviewing the film of the Redskins-Giants week 13 game several times, I hand out the following class grades to the Redskins defense.

HEAD OF THE CLASS

DE Stephen Bowen. I don't know if he was tired of NT Barry Cofield getting all the credit, but Bowen exploded against the Giants, dominating the line of scrimmage, shutting down the run to his side and accounting for 3 QB hurries. Bowen has been up and down this season and was demolished by the Giants offensive line the first time these two teams played this year. On Monday night, though, Bowen was sometimes all that stood between TB Ahmad Bradshaw and big yardage, since Cofield got steamrolled by the Giants repeatedly. He even drew a penalty on the offensive line. This was Bowen's most complete game in a month. 

A-STUDENTS

OLB Rob Jackson. Provided the most pass rush against the Giants on Monday night, particularly in the second half. He accounted for the team's only sack and added two QB hurries. I didn't like that he missed two tackles, but he was acceptable in run defense and did more than anyone else to make Eli Manning uncomfortable in the pocket in the second quarter. 

CB Josh Wilson. He started off the year so well, but then went into a big slump, culminating in a nightmare performance against the Panthers and then a sound whipping on Thanksgiving Day by Tony Romo and the Dallas wideouts. But Wilson bounced back against the Giants, drawing a penalty and accounting for five tackles. Best of all, Eli Manning got virtually nothing looking at Wilson all night. Manning only threw in Wilson's direction twice all night -- one was a 6-yard completion to Victor Cruz and the other an incomplete pass to Reuben Randle. Wilson's converage was solid on both plays and all night. This is how a stud cornerback plays on the big stage. 

ILB Lorenzo Alexander. Did a nice job in limited action on Monday night. Got two QB hurries despite rushing the passer only about ten times. Solid in rush defense, as well. 

NT Chris Baker. Like Alexander, he didn't play much, but made an impact when he was in the game. Three tackles and a QB hurry in less than 15 plays is good production. 

PASS

DE Jarvis Jenkins, OLB Ryan Kerrigan, CB Cedric Griffin, SS DeJon Gomes, FS Jordan Pugh, NT Barry Cofield

MUST DO BETTER

FS Madieu Williams, ILB Perry Riley

FAIL

ILB London Fletcher. Whew, what a horrible night in coverage for Fletcher. He gave up 73 yards on 5 completions out of 6 passes attempted. In particularl, TE Martellus Bennet destroyed Fletcher in the first half. London is playing hurt and trying hard, but he's become a serious liabiity in coverage, particularly down the middle and against tight ends. He made 7 tackles, but missed two and wasn't terribly good against the run either. 

CB DeAngelo Hall. Only rushed the QB twice, but got good pressure once. He's pretty good as a blitzer off the edge. However, he also missed a tackle and got repeatedly burned in coverage. Ten days after clearly out-playing Dallas wideouts, Hall was torched by the New York receivers. Victor Cruz burned Hall badly twice and he gave up more than half of Eli Manning's passing yardage. Even TEs Martellus Bennett and Bear Pascoe got the better of Hall on Monday night. 

SS Reed Doughty. Very solid in coverage, as only one pass -- to Martellus Bennett -- was thrown at Doughty and he defended it well. However, Doughty got plowed over by the Giants rushing attack. He was repeatedly blocked too easily and missed chances to make tackles near the line of scrimmage. He didn't miss tackles, he just wasn't in position to make them. 

After reviewing the film of the Redskins-Giants week 13 game several times, I hand out the following class grades to the Redskins offense. 

Photo - Will McNamee of Getty Images

HEAD OF THE CLASS

LT Trent Williams. He looked barely fit to function in pregame warmups, but once the game began the team's best offensive lineman all season was that again. The Redskins averaged 9.4 yards per carry on 12 carries over left tackle against the Giants and New York often looked helpless to do anything about it. And it wasn't just one big RG3 run that did it -- TB Alfred Morris averaged 6 yards per carry on 8 carries over the left end and left tackle positions. Trent did well enough in pass-blocking -- allowing one QB hit and hurry -- that his run-blocking, which was so superb, earns him top honors this week. Williams suffered a very bad deep thigh bruise early in the Thanksgiving Day win in Dallas, but the extra rest helped him recover enough in time to play on Monday night, but it is literally incredible that he played at such a high level. 

Photo - Julio Cruz of AP Photo

A-STUDENTS

FB Darrel Young. What more can you ask from the young linebacker-turned-fullback? He's been terrific all season but he played his best game on Monday night. His lead blocking was just spectactular, as he took out linemen, linebackers and a safety or two. Many of Morris' 124 rushing yards happened because of great blocking in front of him by Young. But in addition to his blocking, Young also carried the ball twice for eight yards. Not a big deal, right? Wrong. Both carries were on third and short and both went for first downs. And he gained two yards after contact on each run. That's tough, hard running to get the yards the team needed to convert third and short into first down. It's easy to see why the Shanahans like Young so much -- he's a man's man and a ferocious football player. 

TB Alfred Morris. The rookie tailback ran for a career-high 124 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. This eclipsed his previous high of 120 yards which also came against the Giants. Alfred did a solid job in pass protection, but it was his tough running that really helped the Skins win. He hurt himself and the team with a terrible fumble deep in Giants territory, but he bounced back and helped bury New York by picking up tough first downs in the fourt quarter. His 6-yard run on third and three with 1:07 left in regulation, which effectively ended the game, was a piece of brutal beauty, as he shrugged off the Giants defensive lineman who grabbed him short of the first down marker, and pushed forward, finally diving to the ground 6 yards past the line of scrimmage. Morris broke two tackles on the night and gained 67 yards after contact. The dude is a grown-ass man. 

QB Robert Griffin III. He fumbled deep in Giants territory because he wasn't covering up the ball, but got lucky when teammate Josh Morgan grabbed the ball out of the air and ran it into the end zone. However, he did run for 72 yards, threw a touchdown pass, no picks and made a huge throw with about two minutes left to pick up a first down in Giants territory, allowing the Skins to run out the clock. He threw some beautiful passes, particularly to Pierre Garcon, that were so perfectly on target that the receivers did not have to break stride and picked up big yards after the catch. Great games from RG3 are becoming routine. 

WR Pierre Garcon. Caught twice as many pases on Monday night [8] as he had in any one game this season. It was Garcon's best day as a receiver, as the Giants found it very difficult to cope with his rare blend of size and quickness. No Giants defender who tried to cover Garcon did particularly well, but CB Prince Amukamara and LB Chase Blackburn had the most trouble. He did drop a pass, but he also forced two missed tackles and caught Washington's only TD pass. 

PASS

WR Josh Morgan, WR Leonard Hankerson, LG Kory Lichtensteiger, C Will Montgomery, RG Chris Chester, RT Tyler Polumbus, TE Logan Paulsen.

MUST DO BETTER

WR Santana Moss. Only in for 15 plays, didn't catch a pass and didn't block particularly well, which isn't a shock since he's not a terribly good blocker. 

FAIL

TE Niles Paul. Only in for 13 plays and did nothing apart from dropping the only pass thrown his way. Drops are a problem for Paul, which probably explains why he rarely sees a football thrown his way.