Critics warn fans not to make too much out of preseason games. But for fans of the Washington Redskins, winning never felt so good. The Redskins improved to 2-0 this preseason after a 16-3 win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Aug. 19.
Newly acquired running back Tim Hightower continued his impressive play, breaking a scoreless game early in the first quarter on a one-yard plunge after a seven-play, 80-yard drive, stuffed full of Hightower highlights. The fourth-year runner out of Richmond ripped off a 58-yard run two plays into the game that set Washington up at the Colts’ 20-yard line.
First time starter Jon Beck, who has been largely ticketed as Washington’s starting signal caller, found another new addition to the team, receiver Jabar Gaffney, across the middle down to the one-yard line. Hightower would finish the drive after that.
After Washington’s defense held the Colts to just five plays on their first offensive series, Beck engineered a 13-play, 43-yard drive to set up a Graham Gano field goal to extend the lead to 10-0 in the first quarter. A pair of 82-yard drives in the second quarter ended in a pair of two more field goals from Gano as Washington stretched the lead to 16-0 before half.
The efficient offense was a long awaited sight for Redskin followers who saw a dismal and sometimes out of place offensive unit last season. Although the preseason is merely a tuneup time for most clubs, for Washington, back-to-back wins over Pittsburgh and now Indianapolis will serve them well as they gear up for their annual summer showdown with the Baltimore Ravens next week.
Game Notes: Beck finished with a 101.0 passer rating, connecting on 14 of his 17 attempts for 140 yards. Hightower rushed for 70 yards on six carries, including the lone touchdown of the game.
