Shaky defense and injuries rattle Griffin’s stellar start

After a stellar performance in Week 1, can the Washington Redskins finally be contenders in the NFC East?  Not so fast.

Although Robert Griffin III put up another great performance in Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams, sloppy play and key injuries on the defense have given the Redskins a reality check.

Shocking the world in Week 1 by beating the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome was nothing to look down upon, but the Redskins should have put a pounding on the St. Louis Rams in Week 2 to put a cherry on top of their first 2 games.

The Redskins defense wasn’t exactly great in Week 1 either, but RG3’s performance made that a non factor. The defense continued that pattern in Week 2 by giving up 31 points to Sam Bradford and the Rams. The defense has now given up a total of 63 points in the first 2 game of the season. This will not lift the Redskins into playoff contention.

The beaten down defense of the Redskins will also have to survive without two key players on their defense. They will have to go without two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo and defensive end Adam Carriker for the rest of the season. These are two injuries that the Redskins desperately cannot afford. One of their backups will have to step up to make sure this isn’t a major blow to their season.

As for Sam Bradford, he was the better of the two quarterbacks, completing 26 of 35 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns as he rallied the Rams passed the Redskins. All you Fantasy football nuts out there should keep an eye on Bradford with RG3 sure to be swooped up in all fantasy formats.

For the Redskins to be contenders in the NFC East, their defense needs to shape up quickly. Unfortunately for them, RG3 can’t play defense.