Rookie receiver Mike Evans racked up 209 yards and two touchdowns as Tampa Bay Buccaneers coasted to a dominant 27-7 road win over the Washington NFL franchise on Nov. 16 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) throws under pressure from Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
It marked just the second win of the season for the Buccs, who handed Washington its seventh loss of the season.
Everything went wrong from the very start for Washington. Third-year quarterback Robert Griffin III tossed an interception on his first pass of the game, which set up an easy field goal for Tampa Bay (2-8). Another Griffin pass was intercepted after being tipped at the line of scrimmage, and the interception was run back for a 19-yard defensive touchdown by Bucs cornerback Jonathan Banks, extending Tampa’s lead to 10-0 in the first quarter.
Washington Redskins running back Roy Helu (29) carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Crezdon Butler (26) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington’s lone positive possession came right before halftime arrived when RGIII dumped a screen pass off to running back Roy Helu Jr. for a 30-yard touchdown. That score cut Tampa’s lead to 13-7 at the break.
But Washington struggled offensively and defensively throughout the entire second half, and Tampa veteran quarterback Josh McCown got into a rhythm with Evans, finding him several times deep down the field for big passes. McCown first connected with Evans for a 36-yard touchdown pass to push the Bucs’ lead to 20-7 in the third quarter. He then launched a 56-yard bomb in the fourth quarter to put the game away at 27-7 in the fourth quarter. McCown and Evans also hooked up on passes of 52-yard pass and a 34-yards, both big plays on third down and long situations late in the game.
In addition to Evans’ 209 yards, McCown connected on 15 of 23 pass attempts for 288 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers.
Griffin put up subpar numbers, completing 23 of 32 pass attempts for 207 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, and missed on deep ball opportunities with speedy receiver DeSean Jackson on multiple occasions. The once-elusive Griffin ran for 41 yards on six carries. Third-year running back Alfred Morris led Washington with 20 carries for 96 yards in the loss.
Washington (3-7) will travel to the west coast to face the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 23. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. EST.