A season-changing goal line stand from inside the one-yard line in regulation allowed the Washington Redskins to win in overtime. Fullback Darrel Young scored his third touchdown of the game, giving his team a heart-pounding 30-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers at FedEx Field.
After winning the coin toss the Redskins drove down the field to improve to (3-5) in a must win game to keep alive their playoff aspirations.
Redskin running back Alfred Morris led the rushing attack with 25 carries for a season-best 121 yards and had a big 19-yard run during the game-winning drive. Wide out Pierre Garçon led the aerial attack and finished with a career best seven catches for a staggering 172 yards.
But it was all set up by a Redskin defense that stopped the Chargers and quarterback Philip Rivers (29-46 for 341 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions) three times inside the one-yard line with less than a minute to play in the game, forcing a game-tying 19-yard field goal that gave Washington new life.
Redskin Quarterback Robert Griffin III was crisp during the game winning drive and finished the game with 23 completions in 32 attempts for 291 yards and one interception. He also helped his team gain 500 yards for the game and led and offense that was four of five inside the red zone.
Washington overcame a poor start as their game opening drive, started at their one-yard line, ended in a 25-yard blocked field goal attempt by usually reliable kicker Kai Forbath who also had a 59-yard half-ending kick blocked.
Their next drive also started on their one-yard line and ended with an RG3 pass ricocheting off of a lineman and landing in the hands of San Diego lineman Sean Lissemore who was in the Redskin end zone, giving the Chargers an early 7-0 lead.
But this game was about overcoming adversity and the Redskins responded with an E.J. Biggers interception in the second quarter which finally gave the Redskins decent field position. A Morris run gave Washington first and goal and he finished what he started by ending the drive with a five-yard scoring run to even the score at 7-7.
San Diego then answered by moving into scoring position. They took the lead at 14-7 on a 15-yard wide receiver screen by wide out Eddie Royal who was barely touched as he sprinted straight into the end zone with less than a minute to play in the first half.
The Redskins had the ball to begin the third quarter and took it down the field. A big 38-yard catch and run by Garçon moved the ball into scoring position. A new wrinkle to the offense had wide out Santana Moss as a pitch option in the backfield and he took a toss from RG3 and scampered 18-yards which set up Young’s first touchdown of the day to even the score at 14-14 with 9:43 left in the third quarter.
After a San Diego punt, Washington drove down the field and scored another touchdown making the score 21-14 with 14:17 left in the game. The drive was highlighted by RG3 going airborne to convert a key third down and Young scoring his second touchdown of the game.
Later in the game the Redskins got their second interception of the game from rookie cornerback David Amerson which led to a 47-yard Forbath field goal, giving Washington a seemingly comfortable 10 point lead at 24-14 with only 6:59 remaining in the game.
Rivers responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass with 4:10 left to play, making the score 24-21. Washington was not able to run out the clock as a crucial third down pass sailed over Garçon’s head, giving San Diego a chance to tie or win the game with 2:10 left to play in the game.
Rivers drove his team down the field but a run and two incomplete passes inside the one-yard line with time running out failed to yield the winning points and gave Washington a chance. This time they finished the game with Young’s third rushing touchdown of the game with 9:05 left in overtime.
