The Redskins' season opener and the regular-season debut of Robert Griffin III begins at 1:00 p.m. ET Sunday, as Washington visits the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome.
The game comes shortly after the NFL announced that a three-person arbitration panel had lifted the suspensions of Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita, Will Smith, and Anthony Hargrove for their alleged roles in the New Orleans defense's bounty program, by which players were paid cash to injure opponents.
Spirits are high in the Beltway, with Redskins fans optimistic about the future of a program featuring Heisman Trophy winner Griffin at quarterback. Still, as Hogs Haven points out, it will take much more than RG3 to carry the 'Skins to victory against the Saints in the Superdome. With Brian Orakpo and Chris Baker returning from off- and preseason injuries, look to Washington to lean heavily on their defense against Drew Brees and the New Orleans passing attack.
The game will be broadcast on FOX and is available on DirecTV, ESPN Radio, and Sirius XM.
For more coverage of the Washington Redskins, visit Hogs Haven and SB Nation DC. For more on the Saints, check out Canal Street Chronicles. And, as always, visit SB Nation's NFL hub for any and all pro football news, commentary, and analysis.