NFC East – Tougher Than You Think

For Robert Griffin III, there has been a lot of hype, since being drafted by the Washington Redskins this past April. And with hype, comes questions. And when you’re a rookie QB, in arguably the NFL’s toughest division, there are A LOT of questions.

I don’t know how many questions remain after RGIII’s first NFL game today. Griffin left nothing to be desired after going 19/26 for 320 yds. and two scores (both passing) on his way to winning his first NFL start. He was incredible. He moved around the field like he’s been in the NFL for years. This kid didn’t play like he was a rookie; he played like a guy who has arrived. Just about everyone thought Griffin was going to be special, just not this soon or in this situation. In a league full of knee-jerk reactions, we’ll have to wait and see if he can play like this all year. With the evidence we have right now, the Giants, Cowboys and Eagles better take note.

When you look at the Redskins win, just about everything was stacked up against them. They opened their season at the Superdome, taking on the New Orleans Saints. Yes, the same Saints that were literally, unbeatable at home last year, in fact not just unbeatable, unstoppable. The Saints scored more than two times as many points as their opponents last year at home. Not only that, this marked the first game since “bounty gate” and the first game since all players “involved” were re-instated. Needless to say, the Superdome was a wild environment.

Guess how Washington combated that? Griffin came out and completed his first eight passes. His seventh? That was only a throw across the middle, to newly acquired WR Pierre Garcon for an 88yd TD.

New Orleans was able to chip away at the lead, here and there, but never was able to claim the lead. It felt like they just couldn’t keep up with Washington and their young offense. Griffin wasn’t the only rookie to impress for the ‘Skins. Rookie RB Alfred Morris, a sixth-round racked up 96 yards and punching in two scored.

Keep in mind, Washington’s defense is no slouch, statistically they weren’t great last year, and the Saints were able to move the ball and score, but they’re a younger unit for the most part and added some depth to their secondary. So Griffin may not to be this great week in and week out (although I’m sure everyone in DC hopes he is).

If he can be consistent and protect the ball, the NFC East is going to be much tighter than I think anyone expected, but enough with the knee-jerk, lets wait and see.