Redskins 24, Buccaneers 22
TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Billy Cundiff atoned for three earlier misses by kicking a 41-yard field goal with three seconds left Sunday to lift the Washington Redskins to a 24-22 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III drove the Redskins to the winning score after the Buccaneers had overcome an 18-point deficit to go ahead 22-21 with 1:42 left on Connor Barth's 47-yard field goal. Griffin completed three straight passes on the final drive and had a 15-yard run.
Cundiff had missed from 31 yards earlier in the fourth quarter and from 41 and 57 yards in the first half.
Griffin finished 25 of 35 for 323 yards and no interceptions. He also ran for a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter when Washington (2-2) opened a 21-3 lead.
Redskins rookie running back Alfred Morris also had a big day with 113 yards on 21 carries and a 39-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Barth boomed a 57-yard field goal with 1:55 left in the second quarter to cut the Buccaneers' deficit to 21-6 at halftime.
The Buccaneers (1-3) started their comeback in the third quarter with a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Freeman to Vincent Jackson. Tampa Bay closed to 21-19 with 9:41 left in the game on LaGarrette Blount's 2-yard touchdown run. A potential tying two-point conversion failed.
Freeman was 24 of 39 for 299 passing yards, and two of his receivers had 100-yard games. Jackson finished with 100 yards through the air and Mike Williams had 115.
Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon returned to the lineup after sitting out most of the early season with with a foot injury. He recovered a fumble by Griffin in the end zone for the first score of the game in the opening quarter.
NOTES: Former Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris returned to Raymond James Stadium. Morris, who was fired after last season, now coaches defensive backs for the Redskins. ... Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather collided with wide receiver Aldrick Robinson during pregame warm-ups and was inactive for the game. Meriweather appeared to reinjure his left knee that he hurt in the first game of the season. Redskins third cornerback Cedrick Griffin (hamstring) also was on the inactive list. ... Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff may or may not have a job on Monday, despite the winning kick Sunday, after his three misses.
