Redskins running back Chris Thompson (25) scored a touchdown in the first quarter, but was carted off with a leg injury in the second half. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)
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Game analysis
Saints cut Redskins’ lead to 31-23 with 2:53 left to play
New Orleans executed a 75-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to Josh Hill, bringing the score to 31-23 with 2:53 remaining.
Redskins extend lead to 31-16
What a response by Washington’s offense. On a drive where Chris Thompson gets carted off the field, the Redskins execute a successful fake punt at their own 15-yard line and take a 24-13 lead eight plays later. The drive was a microcosm of their season. Washington has fought every week during this injury-riddled season, and now it is 15 minutes away from another huge road upset.
The Saints kicked a field goal to cut the Washington lead to 24-16 with 9:24 left in the game, but the Redskins responded again with a 75-yard touchdown drive that ended with Jeremy Sprinkle’s seven-yard touchdown catch to go up 31-16.
Chris Thompson carted off with knee injury
Redskins running back Chris Thompson was carted off the field after he was rolled up on by a Saints defender during Kirk Cousins’s scramble in the third quarter. Players gathered around Thompson, many taking a knee, as play was stopped for several minutes to attend Thompson’s injury. An air cast was placed on his leg. Washington has just two healthy running backs available — rookie Samaje Perine and Byron Marshall, who was signed off the Eagles practice squad this week.
Saints cut into lead, as Washington goes into halftime up 17-13
It was another strange ending to the first half for the Redskins. They had a chance to kick a 51-yard field goal, but Stacy McGee was called for a false start to bump Washington out of field goal range. Washington elected to punt and could’ve pinned New Orleans at the 1-yard line, but Josh Holsey’s heels were on the goal line as he fielded the punt, resulting in a touchback. The Saints marched down the field and kicked a field goal as time expired in the second quarter, but the Redskins hold a 17-13 lead and will get the ball to start the second half.
Redskins take 17-10 lead
Samaje Perine’s one-yard touchdown run, which capped a 75-yard scoring drive, gives Washington a 17-10 lead over the Saints early in the second quarter. Coach Jay Gruden elected to take a chance and keep his offense on the field on 4th and 6 at the Saints’ 39. It paid dividends. Kirk Cousins threw a great ball to Vernon Davis, who hauled in the 26-yard reception while absorbing a big hit. Three plays later, Perine punched it from a yard out for his first career rushing touchdown to give Washington the lead. The Redskins are hanging around with the Saints so far. We’ll see if they can maintain this effort, particularly during the final two minutes of the first half.
Hot start for Doctson
Through one quarter, Josh Doctson has three catches for 67 yards on five targets, including a beautiful 32-yard reception right before the end of the quarter. Doctson has never had more than 60 receiving yards in a game, and there’s still three quarters to go.
Saints tie the game at 10-10 with Mark Ingram’s touchdown run
New Orleans responded to Washington’s touchdown drive with one of its own, marching 80 yards on four plays, including Mark Ingram’s 36-yard TD run.
Chris Thompson’s touchdown catch gives Washington a 10-3 lead
For the second straight week, Washington turned to the Chris Thompson wheel route. And for the second straight week, it comes up big. Thompson was wide open for a 16-yard touchdown after motioning to the right side of the formation before the snap. Last week against the Minnesota Vikings, it resulted in a big fourth down conversion that should’ve resulted in a touchdown. This week, it did, capping off a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
Redskins tied 3-3 with Saints in first quarter
D.J. Swearinger picked up right where he left off last week. The Redskins safety intercepted Saints quarterback Drew Brees on the opening drive, giving him three interceptions in his last two games. It was a great start for Washington’s defense against a potent Saints offense. Washington’s offense was only able to get a field goal off the turnover. Against a really good team, the Redskins need to capitalize on scoring opportunities with touchdowns — especially when they’re working with a short field.
Washington’s defense had trouble stopping the run on the following drive, but it was able to bring pressure on passing plays to stall what was an effective drive by New Orleans. Ryan Kerrigan, who has been sackless over the last two games, brought Brees down. On the next play, Anthony Lanier recorded a quarterback hit on third down that resulted in an incomplete pass. New Orleans was forced to settle for a field goal.
Pregame reading
After dropping a home game to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10, the Washington Redskins are desperately seeking a victory in New Orleans to pull back to 5-5 and give themselves a shot at securing a playoff spot with a strong stretch run. The biggest problem? The Redskins must secure that victory inside one of the NFL’s most inhospitable environments for road teams against the league’s hottest team in the Saints, winners of seven straight since beginning the season 0-2.
Injuries, as always, remain a concern for the Redskins. In addition to plaguing the offensive line, the receiving corps is now ailing with Terrelle Pryor and Jordan Reed both out Sunday.
Get primed for an important matchup with the best of The Post’s Redskins reporting from the past week.
• To prevail on Sunday, Washington must improve on Wednesday through Friday
• Brewer: The Redskins had a vision for their offense in 2017. It hasn’t worked out.
• Five story lines to follow Sunday against the Saints
• Bullock: Can Perine seize opportunity with Kelley out?
• The Redskins have often started strong only to see it go wrong late in second quarters
• Gruden says Redskins have no margin for error
• Swearinger delivers on two-interception promise to help young Redskins fan
• Zach Brown vs. Alvin Kamara among three key matchups to watch Sunday
Injury report and inactives
It wouldn’t be a Redskins game in 2017 if injuries weren’t a major story line. The offensive line remains less than 100 percent and will be without starting center Spencer Long. Meanwhile the receiving corps will be short wide receiver Terrelle Pryor after an ankle injury and tight end Jordan Reed.
It’s possible the ankle injury could be the source of some of Pryor’s struggles this season, as he indicated he first sustained the injury in Week 2 against the Rams. The injury has made it difficult for the receiver to plant his foot and make hard cuts during his routes.
In all, the team has 13 players listed as questionable entering Sunday’s game, including starting left tackle Trent Williams, left guard Shawn Lauvao and right guard Brandon Scherff.
You can read more on each injury coming into today’s game and potential impact here.
Washington Redskins (4-5) at New Orleans Saints (7-2)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Superdome
TV: Fox
Radio: 980 AM; 92.7 and 94.3 FM
SiriusXM: SIRI 113 or 83, Internet 821
Streaming: Fox Sports Go | NFL Mobile | Reddit NFL streaming thread
Line: Vikings by 7.5, o/u 52.5
Box score: Updates every 60 seconds here
Redskins roster | Depth chart | Injury report
Saints roster | Depth chart | Injury report
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