Redskins Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down versus Giants

The Redskins dropped their first division game to the New York Giants 27-23.  The Redskins beat themselves more than getting beat by the Giants.  They turned the ball over five times, including a late fumble by Santana Moss that iced the game for New York.  Here are your thumbs up and thumbs down.

THUMBS UP

Robert Griffin III.  Even with a fumble, Griffin was absolutely amazing.  He finished with a 109 passer rating.  Griffin was the best quarterback on the field today.  The difference was, Eli Manning is surrounded by better players.  RGIII threw for 258 yards and 2 TD passes while completing 20 of 28 passes.  He also put up 89 yards rushing on 9 carries including two big first down dashes.  Griffin did what great quarterbacks so.  He led the Redskins down the field with under 3 minutes left and delivered a strike to Santana Moss to give the Redskins the  lead with under two minutes.  His only problem is, he doesn't play defense.  

Rob Jackson.  Lets give it up for Rob Jackson.  He has the difficult task of trying to replace Brian Orakpo, who was lost for the season.  He is not going to generate as much pass rush as Orakpo. However, he does do something better than Orakpo.  He holds on to interception opportunities.  Today he added a critical interception after a Redskins turnover to get the ball back into the hands of RGIII. He also had a quarterback sack on Eli Manning.  Jackson is not Orakpo.  He is a different player and brings different skills. He played hard today and was a difference maker on defense.  

THUMBS DOWN

Pass Defense.  We could and should just makes this a permanent part of thumbs down.  They suck. We know it.  RGIII delivered a late home run lob to Moss, but the secondary gave up a bomb to Vcitor Cruz for the game winner, just two plays into the Gianst final scoring drive.  It was awful, but unfortunately, something familiar.  Josh Wilson and Madieu Willims were toasted by Cruz and they both should be embarrassed.  Does anyone think it is time to criticize Raheem Morris?

Butter Fingers.  It is hard to win football games at any level of play when you put the football on the ground four times.  Griffin, Alfred Morris, And Santana Moss turned the ball over.  Morris fumbled twice, which is why, despite gaining 120 yards on the ground, he is not listed above.