Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins started slowly, but finished strong in the first half and lead the Minnesota Vikings 17-9.
Lorenzo Alexander recovered a fumble at the Vikings 10-yard-line and Darrel Young caught a six-yard pass from Griffin on the next play to give Washington their second touchdown in 20 seconds. Alexander also had a half sack in the first half.
Perry Riley knocked Adrian Peterson into Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder causing the ball to pop loose. Alexander caught the ball in the air and the play was initially ruled an interception.
Seconds earlier, Alfred Morris punched the ball into the end zone from one-yard out.
Minnesota’s defense was largely able to stymie the rookie rusher, who is coming off back to back 100-yard games. The hot handed sixth-round pick was limited to 28 yards on 10 carries.
Griffin completed 11 of 14 first half passing attempts for 116 yards, including a 30-yard strike to Santana Moss in his first action since sustaining a concussion in last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
He was intercepted once on an ill-timed throw to Joshua Morgan in the first quarter.
It is a rare feat for a Redskins place kicker to draw cheers from the home crowd at FedEx Field.
Yet, Kai Forbath, the 19th man to attempt a field goal for the Redskins since 1994, brought the burgundy and gold faithful to their feet when his 50-yard attempt split the uprights in the second quarter.
Forbath was signed to replace Billy Cundiff who was cut earlier in the week.
Blair Walsh accounted for all of Minnesota’s points in the first half. The rookie had a trio of chip-shot field goals of 27 yards or less.
For Minnesota, Christian Ponder was 12-of-17 for 121 yards.
Adrian Peterson carried the ball eight times for 48 yards in his first game in Washington since tearing his ACL 10 months earlier at FedEx Field.
