Redskins Vs. Seahawks: Griffin's Health Will Cloud Redskins Offseason

The Redskins better-than-expected season ended Sunday night at the hands of the Seahawks. But as great as the 2012 season was, Robert Griffin III's health will loom large over the offseason.

Seahawks vs. Redskins, 2013 NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Washington fans lament Robert Griffin III injury

Many Redskins fans were upset that head coach Mike Shanahan did not pull a noticeably hobbled Robert Griffin III in their playoff loss to the Seahawks on Sunday.

RG3 injury: Brian Mitchell, Doc Walker, Trevor Matich speak out vs. Shanahan

The pundits on the Washington Redskins' postgame show disagreed with Mike Shanahan's decision to continue playing Robert Griffin III - not just for health reasons, but also because it hurt his team in a season-ending 24-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Everybody has heard the story of Griffin's injury at this point: the rookie quarterback was hurt on a rollout in the first quarter, but continued to play, even as an offense that scored touchdowns on its first two drives stagnated, failing to score any points for the rest of the game. Then, with the team down 21-14, Griffin went down for good, his knee buckling as he tried to retrieve the football. Many criticized Shanahan for leaving Griffin in, including former Redskin Brian Mitchell on Comcast SportsNet's dissection of the loss, as transcribed by Dan Steinberg:

"That was a guy who was obviously injured, ok?" Brian Mitchell said on Comcast SportsNet’s post-game live, while footage of RGIII hobbling out of bounds played over his voice. "I played quarterback. And I think I was a damn good athlete. If I was limping like that, I’m not — I am NOT – anywhere close to being 75 percent. And I think at that point, he should have been out of the game….Those type of guys, you’ve got to help protect them. And I think Robert should have been protected today from himself."

Doc Walker and Trevor Matich also had critical words for Shanahan's decision from a strategy perspective - not to mention that the decision to play Griffin may have caused further injury, which could hurt his career later.

Kirk Cousins didn't look significantly better than Griffin after he came into the game, completing only three of ten attempts, but he was playing in obvious passing situations after the team was forced to come from behind, and had performed well in wins while Griffin was out with a similar injury a few weeks earlier.

RGIII injury: Robert Griffin III wouldn't have come out, even if Mike Shanahan pulled him

Robert Griffin III insisted that he was fine with continuing to play despite an injury in the Washington Redskins' postseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks, saying that he probably would have continued playing even if head coach Mike Shanahan gave him the hook.

Shanahan received much criticism for leaving Griffin in the game, as the rookie quarterback was clearly playing hurt. The offense stagnated, but things didn't get really bad until Griffin aggravated the injury later, causing him to leave the game -- and, many fear, causing long-term damage. However, after the game, Griffin insisted he had wanted to stay in the game, telling his coach he was healthy, and said he would have continued playing regardless of the coach's decision.

I’d probably been right back out there on the field. You respect authority and I respect coach Shanahan but at the same time you have to step up and be a man sometimes.There was no way I was coming out of the game," Griffin said. "It’s an awkward conversation you never want to have with a head coach. You don’t want him to ever feel like you’re lying to him. I wasn’t lying to him, I was able to play. Period. If he would have pulled me out, I would have been highly upset but that’s his prerogative. He kept me in."

Griffin was fine to start the game despite suffering a knee injury a few weeks earlier, but began playing with a noticeable limp in the first quarter. Dr. James Andrews inspected the knee and cleared him to continue playing, and Griffin did, although with diminishing results: after leading the team on touchdown drives on its first two possessions, the Redskins wouldn't score, as Griffin looked uncomfortable moving with the ball and didn't have enough power throwing off of just one leg. Then, he got injured for good, forcing Shanahan to bring in Kirk Cousins, but it was too late for Washington to come back.

Robert Griffin III Injury: Redskins QB admits he was at risk, but didn't hurt team

Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III took the podium after the team's 24-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card game at FedEx Field to discuss playing through his knee injury.

Griffin had come into the game less than 100 percent due to a lingering knee injury. Wearing a heavy brace, Griffin guided the Redskins to two first quarter touchdowns and a 14-0 lead on his touchdown passes. Griffin also took hits during the drives and needed treatment from trainers. In the fourth quarter, and he was forced to leave the game when he tried to recover a bad snap on the chewed up turf at FedEx Field and re-injured his knee.

After the game, Griffin said he didn't believe that playing through injury was detrimental to the team. Griffin said, "I'm the best option for this team. That's why I'm the starter." Griffin's backup, Kirk Cousins, was just 3-of-10 passing for 31 yards in the game after he replaced the injured Griffin.

Griffin did admit a certain amount of risk trying to play through the injury. Griffin said, "I think I did put myself at more risk being out there." Ultimately, it was not a Seahawks player, but the horrendous condition of the FedEx Field turf at gametime which was the biggest risk to Griffin. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his injured knee on Monday.

2013 NFL Playoffs: Seahawks vs. Redskins: Two thoughts on Sunday's game

Two discourses -- one brief, one not-so-brief -- on the loss that ended Washington's 2012-13 season.

RGIII Injury: Mike Shanahan says Robert Griffin III asked to keep playing

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was knocked out of the team's 24-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks late in the fourth quarter on Sunday's NFC Wild Card game with a knee injury. Griffin had been recovering from a knee injury coming into the game and had gotten knocked around in the first half and received treatment. On the play that took him out of the game, Griffin's knee buckled on the badly chewed up turf at FedEx Field as he tried to pick up a bad snap.

After the game, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told media members that Griffin said he was "hurting but not injured." Shanahan also said that he considered taking Griffin out of the game at halftime but that his star rookie quarterback asked him to keep playing. Shanahan also said that the team conferred with doctors, including Dr. James Andrews, and that Griffin was cleared to play.

Griffin had thrown two touchdowns in the first quarter but was largely ineffective afterwards before he was finally pulled from the game. Griffin is scheduled to have an MRI on the injured knee on Monday.

Seahawks vs. Redskins final score: Washington falls, 24-14

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Washington Redskins, 24-14, on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card game at FedEx Field.

The Redskins got off to a hot start with a 14-0 on two Robert Griffin III touchdown passes in the first quarter. The Seahawks would go on to score the next 24 unanswered points in the victory. Seattle was able to get 13 points in the second quarter but were prevented from taking their first lead until Marshawn Lynch broke a 24-yard run (aided by a downfield block by quarterback Russell Wilson) for a touchdown with 7:08 to play. The Seahawks added to a two-point conversion to that score and a field goal following the bad snap turnover that injured Griffin's knee as he tried to recover the ball. With Griffin ruled out of the game with 6:19 to play, Kirk Cousins had to take over at quarterback for Washington. Cousins was not able to spark a comeback and finished the game just 3-of-10 passing for 31 yards. Cousins also had to recover his fumble caused by another bad snap.

Griffin was 10-of-19 passing for 84 yards passing for two touchdowns and one interception. Griffin only rushed five times for 21 yards due to the knee injury he was battling through coming into the game. Marshawn Lynch led all rushers with 131 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Russell Wilson was 15-of-26 passing for 187 yards and a touchdown. Wilson added 68 yards rushing on seven carries. Logan Paulsen and Evan Royster caught touchdowns for the Redskins.

RGIII Injury: Redskins QB leaves game with knee injury, out for rest of game

Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III injured his knee trying to recover a bad snap with 6:25 to play in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card game at FedEx Field. Griffin, who was already not 100 percent healthy for the game, had his knee bend the wrong way as he tried to recover the snap. Griffin fell to the turf and the Seahawks recovered the loose ball at the Washington 5-yard line and eventually got a field goal to increase their lead to 24-14.

Griffin was helped up off the turf and labored off the field flanked by team trainers as he walked to the sideline. Griffin had already been given treatment by team trainers in the first half of the game after taking several shots in the half. Griffin has reportedly been ruled out for the rest of the game and his backup Kirk Cousins will take over at quarterback.

Seahawks vs. Redskins score update: Washington clinging to 14-13 lead after third quarter

The Washington Redskins lead the Seattle Seahawks, 14-13, after the third quarter of the NFC Wild Card game on Sunday at FedEx Field.

The Seahawks threatened to take the lead but were denied at the goal line when running back Marshawn Lynch fumbled the ball away when London Fletcher was able to punch it out. Jarvis Jenkins recovered the fumble for Washington with 10:31 remaining. Despite not being able to move the ball much during the quarter on offense, the Redskins defense bent but did not break and kept the Seahawks off the scoreboard.

Seattle has taken over the time of possession battle, 24:23 to 20:37, as the game moves into the fourth quarter. The Seahawks will have the ball at their own 40-yard line to begin the quarter. Marshawn Lynch, who has 79 yards rushing in the game, rushed three yards to the 40 on the final play of the the third quarter.

Seahawks vs. Redskins score update: Washington leads 14-13 at halftime

The Washington Redskins lead the Seattle Seahawks, 14-13 at halftime in the NFC Wild Card game at FedEx Field on Sunday.

The first quarter belonged to the Redskins with advantages in total yards of offense, time of possession and on the scoreboard with a 14-0 lead as the quarter ended. The second quarter belonged to the Seahawks. Seattle outscored Washington 13-0 in the quarter.

Redskins dynamic rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was 6-of-11 for 68 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the first half. Griffin rushed three times for 12 yards in the half. Griffin's fellow rookie Russell Wilson was 8-of-13 passing for 118 yards and a touchdown for the Seahawks. Wilson added 35 yards on the ground on four carries.

Washington's Alfred Morris led all rushers with 60 yards on 11 carries. Logan Paulsen and Evan Royster caught short touchdown passes for the Redskins while Michael Robinson caught Seattle's touchdown.

Seahawks vs. Redskins score update: Washington leads, 14-0, after first quarter

The Washington Redskins lead the Seattle Seahawks, 14-0, after the first quarter of play at FedEx Field on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the teams.

Robert Griffin III provided two touchdown passes during the quarter but was clearly less than 100 percent healthy and needed to get assistance from trainers after absorbing several hits. Griffin was 6-of-9 passing for 68 yards and the two touchdowns. He also rushed three times for 12 yards. Logan Paulsen and Evan Royster caught touchdowns for the Redskins in the redzone. Alfred Morris had 49 yards rushing on eight carries.

The Seahawks only had the ball for 3:59 of the quarter and put up just nine total yards of offense. Griffin's rookie counterpart Russell Wilson was 2-of-3 passing for 20 yards. Wilson was sacked by two times. Perry Riley had one sack and Stephen Bowen (0.5 sack) and London Fletcher (0.5 sack) shared the other sack during the quarter.

Redskins injury report: Lichtensteiger questionable, Cedric Griffin back on active roster

The Washington Redskins released their injury report for Sunday's playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks and also activated cornerback Cedric Griffin.

Seahawks vs. Redskins: Rookie QBs find instant success, meet in playoffs

Last year, two rookie quarterbacks faced off in the playoffs for the first time in the Super Bowl era when the T.J. Yates-led Houston Texans took down Andy Dalton's Cincinnati Bengals. It didn't take another 46 years for two rookie quarterbacks to meet in the playoffs again.

Chain Reactions: Can the Redskins continue a Super Run?

The key to a Redskins Super Bowl run is to continue being well-grounded against the Seahawks. Also, I share why I have become a fan of the Cowboys QB.

2013 NFL playoff schedule: Redskins, Seahawks conclude Wild Card weekend

The NFL's Wild Card playoff weekend ends with the Redskins hosting the Seahawks on late Sunday afternoon.

NFL Playoffs 2013 picks and predictions: Most believe Redskins will lose

Most experts and prognosticators around the web believe that the Washington Redskins will get knocked out of the playoffs by the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

NFL Playoff odds: Seahawks favored by a field goal

The Washington Redskins will be three-point underdogs when they host the Seattle Seahawks in a playoff battle on Sunday.

Redskins injury report: Kory Lichtensteiger does not practice Thursday

The Washington Redskins had two players unable to practice on Thursday.

2013 NFL Playoffs: Kyle Shanahan says he's 'definitely' interested in NFL head coaching job

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Michael Wilbon says Sunday's game 'is the NFC Title game'

On ESPN 980's 'The Tony Kornheiser Show' the host's former Washington Post co-worker and current 'Pardon the Interruption' co-host Michael Wilbon was asked about his opinions for Sunday's wild card game between the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks. In that interview, Wilbon said that the winner of this game could very well represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in New Orleans:

"Tony, this is the NFC title game," Wilbon said. "These are the two best teams in the NFC. With all due respect to the 49ers and Atlanta, THESE are the two best teams in the NFC. They're the hottest teams, and I think they're the best teams. They're both having magical seasons...I could see the winner of this game winning the NFC, representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. I think the winner will beat Atlanta.

The facts show that Wilbon may have a point. Four of the last five NFC champions did not win more than 10 games in the regular season and did not get the first round bye, including the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants the last two seasons.

Despite that, Wilbon does think that the Seahawks have the advantage over the Redskins. Wilbon says that the main reasons is because the Seahawks are healthier than the Redskins:

"I think Seattle's a little better team, because they've been at this a little bit longer... So whatever advantage the Redskins have for playing at home I think is sort of negated by Seattle being a little bit stronger and healthier.

Right now both the Redskins and the Seahawks are the fourth and fifth most likely teams to win the Super Bowl according to Bovada. Sunday's game will be at FedEx Field and will kickoff at 4:30 p.m. with television coverage on Fox.

London Fletcher named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December

London Fletcher earned the NFC Defensive Player of the Month award for the final month of the season, despite fighting a sprained ankle that kept him out of the majority of the team's practices.

Robert Griffin III has tried to be more careful since injury

The Redskins quarterback has focused on protecting himself.

Seahawks vs. Redskins 2013: NFC Wild Card playoffs game preview

The Redskins will be in a playoff game on Sunday for the first time in nearly a decade as they face off against the Seattle Seahawks.

RGIII surprises Mike Shanahan at press conference, asks coach how he spent New Year's

Yep, Robert Griffin III seems really nervous before his first playoff game.

Redskins injury report: Four miss practice, Cedric Griffin returns from suspension

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2013 NFL Playoffs: Alfred Morris named NFC Offensive Player of the Week

Alfred Morris is racking up yards and awards lately.

NFL Power Rankings: Washington Redskins end season ranked 8th overall by SB Nation

The Redskins finished the season as NFC East Division Champions and as SB Nation's No. 8-ranked team.

NFL Playoffs: Seahawks vs. Redskins: Team announces Sunday's game is sold out

The Redskins announce that they have no more tickets available for Sunday's game.

NFL Injury Report: Kory Lichtensteiger sprains ankle, Cedric Griffin to practice

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2013 NFL playoff schedule: Redskins to host Seahawks on Sunday afternoon

The Washington Redskins will make their first playoff appearance since 2007 on Sunday afternoon when they close out Wild Card weekend against the Seattle Seahawks.