The Washington Redskins escaped with a 16-10 victory over their cross-town rival the Baltimore Ravens much to the disappointment of the crowd at M&T Bank Stadium.
The game came down to the wire and the Redskins (3-2) defense forced a reversed fourth quarter touchdown and stopped the Ravens on fourth down late in the game near the red zone to secure the victory.
Meanwhile, the stars aligned for Washington as the Ravens all but handed them the victory. Baltimore botched a fake second quarter field goal and then had an interception nearly returned for a touchdown except the defender dropped the ball near the goal line and it rolled out of the end zone for a touchback.
The Redskins defense was stellar holding Baltimore to three for 15 on third down. They also sacked Raven’s quarterback Joe Flacco three times
Baltimore’s best drive of the game was their first one as they drove 75 yards in nine plays to take a 7-0 lead with 10:13 to play in the first quarter.
Washington answered with an 85-yard punt return from Jamison Crowder, their first since 2008, but kicker Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point making the score 7-6.
The Ravens countered with a successful 31-yard field goal by Justin Tucker making the score 10-6 at the half.
Washington responded with a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide out Pierre Garcon with 8:28 to go in the third quarter to make the score 13-10.
The Ravens then botched their golden opportunity when C. J. Mosley intercepted a Cousin’s pass near the Redskins goal line and fumbled when diving for the end zone at the one-yard line.
The ball rolled through the end zone and became a touchback instead of a scoring chance for Baltimore.
With new life, the Redskins drove 72 yards in 11 plays the drive ending with a Hopkins 27-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go in the third quarter making the score 16-10.
The Ravens had one final chance to win the game and had first and 10 at the Washington 23 with 39 seconds to play in the game. Flacco heaved a pass to Breshad.Perriman who caught it in the end zone for an apparent go-ahead score.
But after a review the play was reversed as Perriman was unable to get both feet in bounds. The Ravens then failed to convert on fourth and eight at the Washington 21 and the Redskins were finally able to exhale and enjoy their third straight victory.
Cousins was 29 of 41 for 260 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Flacco was 30 of 46 for 210 yards and one touchdown.
The Redskins were led in receiving by Jordan Reed who caught eight passes for 53 yards and Garcon who had five catches for 56 yards and one touchdown.
The Ravens were led in catches by Mike Wallace who caught seven passes for 63 yards and Dennis Pitta who caught seven passes for 59 yards.
Running back Matt Jones led the Redskins in rushing with 14 carries for 31 yards.
Baltimore was led in rushing by Terrance West with 95 yards in 11 carries in a losing effort for the (3-2) Ravens.
