It took the Washington Redskins five possessions to put points on the board Saturday against the Chicago Bears.
Neil Rackers connected on a 28-yard field goal with 6:41 left in the first half to cut Chicago’s lead to 17-3.
Washington didn’t find the end zone until Brandon Banks returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown with a little over one minute left in the second quarter.
Although Mike Shanahan stated the undersized speedster would have to make the team as a wide receiver, the return served as a reminder of the dangerous potential he possesses on special teams.
Overshadowing the team’s offensive struggles were injuries to Brian Orakpo and Brandon Meriweather.
Washington lost Orakpo to a left shoulder injury in the first quarter. The linebacker writhed in pain after he was spun around by Devin Hester while trying to make a one-armed tackle.
The 26-year-old Orakpo underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle sustained in last year’s season finale.
Shortly thereafter, safety Brandon Meriweather injured his left knee while Chicago’s Michael Bush scampered in for his second touchdown of the night. The safety signed with the Redskins this offseason after playing for the Bears in 2011.
Neither player was able to return to the game.
Meanwhile, the secondary was routinely shredded during the first half giving up large chunks of yardage.
Jay Cutler and former Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell were a combined 13-of-23 for 224 yards.
Offensively, Robert Griffin III shined at moments as he proved he could elude pressure. Contrarily, his promise was countered by three sacks and a fumble.
Griffin headed to halftime successfully connecting on 5-of-8 passing attempts for 49 yards. He also scrambled three times for 17 yards.
Rookie running back Alfred Morris, who started ahead of Evan Royster, rattled off a 21-yard run on the game’s first play from scrimmage and promptly churned out six-yard encore.
His success was tapered as the game progressed although his first half numbers were still impressive. The Florida Atlantic product amassed 34 yards on 10 carries.
Royster added 20 yards on two carries as the Bears held a 20-10 lead over the Redskins at the half.
