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| Andrew Luck throws for five touchdowns, leads Indy past Colt McCoy, Redskins, 49-27 | Andrew Luck throws for five touchdowns, leads Indy past Colt McCoy, Redskins, 49-27 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| INDIANAPOLIS — Given the cult of personality that envelopes so much of pro sports, it was easy to assume the problems of the Washington Redskins revolved entirely around one indecisive, underperforming quarterback. | INDIANAPOLIS — Given the cult of personality that envelopes so much of pro sports, it was easy to assume the problems of the Washington Redskins revolved entirely around one indecisive, underperforming quarterback. |
| But after a thoroughly ugly performance against the Indianapolis Colts ended in a 49-27 defeat, it was clear the problems under first-year Coach Jay Gruden are deep-seated and more far-reaching than any single player. | But after a thoroughly ugly performance against the Indianapolis Colts ended in a 49-27 defeat, it was clear the problems under first-year Coach Jay Gruden are deep-seated and more far-reaching than any single player. |
| In a decision that likely will define Gruden’s tenure in Washington, the coach benched starting quarterback Robert Griffin III for poor performance last week and replaced him with Colt McCoy, who opened the season third on the depth chart. | In a decision that likely will define Gruden’s tenure in Washington, the coach benched starting quarterback Robert Griffin III for poor performance last week and replaced him with Colt McCoy, who opened the season third on the depth chart. |
| McCoy, 28, managed to jump-start Washington’s moribund offense, which had managed just 20 points in its past two games. He threw for a career-high 392 yards on 31-for-47 passing, including three touchdowns. | McCoy, 28, managed to jump-start Washington’s moribund offense, which had managed just 20 points in its past two games. He threw for a career-high 392 yards on 31-for-47 passing, including three touchdowns. |
| It was enough to retain possession of the starting job in Gruden’s eyes but not nearly enough to keep pace with the offensive fireworks Colts quarterback Andrew Luck staged against Washington’s injury-plagued defensive backfield. | It was enough to retain possession of the starting job in Gruden’s eyes but not nearly enough to keep pace with the offensive fireworks Colts quarterback Andrew Luck staged against Washington’s injury-plagued defensive backfield. |
| Luck, whom the Colts made the No. 1 pick of the 2012 NFL draft — the Redskins took Griffin at No. 2 — was a study in efficiency, completing 19 of 27 throws for 370 yards, a career-best five touchdowns and one interception. | Luck, whom the Colts made the No. 1 pick of the 2012 NFL draft — the Redskins took Griffin at No. 2 — was a study in efficiency, completing 19 of 27 throws for 370 yards, a career-best five touchdowns and one interception. |
| Meanwhile, the Colts’ defense held running back Alfred Morris to 67 yards. | Meanwhile, the Colts’ defense held running back Alfred Morris to 67 yards. |
| The loss extended the Redskins’ losing streak to four games and dropped them to 3-9, assuring themselves of a losing season. | The loss extended the Redskins’ losing streak to four games and dropped them to 3-9, assuring themselves of a losing season. |
| The problems that cost them Sunday were familiar ones. | The problems that cost them Sunday were familiar ones. |
| Washington’s offense started slowly and buried itself in an avalanche of third and longs. | Washington’s offense started slowly and buried itself in an avalanche of third and longs. |
| McCoy, gripped at times by indecision reminiscent of Griffin’s, was sacked six times and had one of his four fumbles returned for a touchdown. | McCoy, gripped at times by indecision reminiscent of Griffin’s, was sacked six times and had one of his four fumbles returned for a touchdown. |
| And Washington’s defense, while it forced three turnovers, surrendered a slew of big plays — including touchdown throws of 79 and 73 yards in the second half. | |
| “Defense gave us a great opportunity early in the game,” Gruden said afterward. “We had a chance to go up 14-0, 10-0, 7-0. We blew it on offense. We got out of the gate way too slow as an offensive unit. It looked like we were sleepwalking out of the huddle. It’s just not a very spirited performance on offense, in my opinion.” | “Defense gave us a great opportunity early in the game,” Gruden said afterward. “We had a chance to go up 14-0, 10-0, 7-0. We blew it on offense. We got out of the gate way too slow as an offensive unit. It looked like we were sleepwalking out of the huddle. It’s just not a very spirited performance on offense, in my opinion.” |
| Washington’s defense started impressively, forcing turnovers on the Colts’ first two possessions. | Washington’s defense started impressively, forcing turnovers on the Colts’ first two possessions. |
| Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan sacked Luck on the first play, forcing a fumble. Defensive end Jason Hatcher recovered to hand Washington’s offense the ball at the Indianapolis 15-yard line. But McCoy couldn’t capitalize, going three and out, and Kai Forbath was summoned for a 25-yard field goal. | Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan sacked Luck on the first play, forcing a fumble. Defensive end Jason Hatcher recovered to hand Washington’s offense the ball at the Indianapolis 15-yard line. But McCoy couldn’t capitalize, going three and out, and Kai Forbath was summoned for a 25-yard field goal. |
| Washington’s defense struck again, with cornerback Bashaud Breeland tipping a pass that Ryan Clark grabbed and ran back to the Indianapolis 45. This time, Washington’s offense came away with nothing. McCoy was sacked on the first play when Morris missed a block, and the drive fizzled on an incompletion to DeSean Jackson that would have been shy of a first down anyway. | Washington’s defense struck again, with cornerback Bashaud Breeland tipping a pass that Ryan Clark grabbed and ran back to the Indianapolis 45. This time, Washington’s offense came away with nothing. McCoy was sacked on the first play when Morris missed a block, and the drive fizzled on an incompletion to DeSean Jackson that would have been shy of a first down anyway. |
| Luck found his stride on the third series, making two terrific throws under pressure before connecting on a 30-yard bomb to uncovered tight end Coby Fleener, whose touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone put Indianapolis up 7-3 with 6 minutes 5 seconds remaining in the first quarter. | Luck found his stride on the third series, making two terrific throws under pressure before connecting on a 30-yard bomb to uncovered tight end Coby Fleener, whose touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone put Indianapolis up 7-3 with 6 minutes 5 seconds remaining in the first quarter. |
| Washington’s offense replied with familiar foibles. | Washington’s offense replied with familiar foibles. |
| With false start and illegal formation penalties, hopeless third-and-long situations and two sacks on McCoy, Washington closed the quarter with 30 yards of offense, including just four yards passing. | With false start and illegal formation penalties, hopeless third-and-long situations and two sacks on McCoy, Washington closed the quarter with 30 yards of offense, including just four yards passing. |
| The Colts’ Daniel Herron streaked 49 yards for a rushing touchdown in the second quarter. And Fleener would have padded the margin had he not dropped a sure touchdown with no defender in sight. It didn’t matter, however; later on the drive, Luck connected with T.Y. Hilton on a three-yard strike that made it 21-3. | The Colts’ Daniel Herron streaked 49 yards for a rushing touchdown in the second quarter. And Fleener would have padded the margin had he not dropped a sure touchdown with no defender in sight. It didn’t matter, however; later on the drive, Luck connected with T.Y. Hilton on a three-yard strike that made it 21-3. |
| With the Redskins facing yet another third and long, McCoy made his first clutch completion, a leaping 22-yard grab by Andre Roberts that took Washington to the Indianapolis 23. It was Washington’s first conversion of a third and 10 or more since Week 2. A taunting call on the Colts moved the ball to the 11. A holding call on Jackson negated a Morris touchdown, so McCoy took to the air and connected with Roy Helu Jr. for Washington’s first touchdown. | With the Redskins facing yet another third and long, McCoy made his first clutch completion, a leaping 22-yard grab by Andre Roberts that took Washington to the Indianapolis 23. It was Washington’s first conversion of a third and 10 or more since Week 2. A taunting call on the Colts moved the ball to the 11. A holding call on Jackson negated a Morris touchdown, so McCoy took to the air and connected with Roy Helu Jr. for Washington’s first touchdown. |
| The Colts (8-4) took over with 1:59 remaining in the half. Again, Washington’s defense forced a turnover, with Clark recovering a fumble forced by linebacker Perry Riley Jr. | The Colts (8-4) took over with 1:59 remaining in the half. Again, Washington’s defense forced a turnover, with Clark recovering a fumble forced by linebacker Perry Riley Jr. |
| McCoy went to work from the Indianapolis 48. The drive fizzled when a fourth sack brought up another third and forever that proved impossible to convert. | McCoy went to work from the Indianapolis 48. The drive fizzled when a fourth sack brought up another third and forever that proved impossible to convert. |
| With it, the Colts took a 21-10 lead to the locker room. | With it, the Colts took a 21-10 lead to the locker room. |
| McCoy proved a gamer on the first series of the second half. With his first two targets well covered and pressure coming, he slipped one tackle and broke two more, buying just enough time to fire a 16-yard touchdown throw to tight end Logan Paulsen that made it a one-score game at 21-17. | McCoy proved a gamer on the first series of the second half. With his first two targets well covered and pressure coming, he slipped one tackle and broke two more, buying just enough time to fire a 16-yard touchdown throw to tight end Logan Paulsen that made it a one-score game at 21-17. |
| Thoughts of a rally were short-lived. | Thoughts of a rally were short-lived. |
| Three plays later, Luck hit wide receiver Donte Moncrief, who streaked up the middle of the field uncovered. By the time cornerback David Amerson picked him up, he had scampered 48 yards into the end zone, and the Colts led 28-17. | Three plays later, Luck hit wide receiver Donte Moncrief, who streaked up the middle of the field uncovered. By the time cornerback David Amerson picked him up, he had scampered 48 yards into the end zone, and the Colts led 28-17. |
| From there, things went south in a hurry. | From there, things went south in a hurry. |
| Trying to make a play on fourth and one at the Washington 41, McCoy was blindsided by outside linebacker Erik Walden, who flew in unblocked, knocked McCoy to the ground and jarred the ball loose. D’Qwell Jackson scooped it up and ran it back 35 yards for the Colts’ fifth touchdown. | Trying to make a play on fourth and one at the Washington 41, McCoy was blindsided by outside linebacker Erik Walden, who flew in unblocked, knocked McCoy to the ground and jarred the ball loose. D’Qwell Jackson scooped it up and ran it back 35 yards for the Colts’ fifth touchdown. |
| That fourth-and-inches call — a play-action pass intended for DeSean Jackson — was one Gruden said he regretted. | That fourth-and-inches call — a play-action pass intended for DeSean Jackson — was one Gruden said he regretted. |
| Still, McCoy kept digging and found Jackson in single coverage for a 42-yard touchdown that made it 35-24. | Still, McCoy kept digging and found Jackson in single coverage for a 42-yard touchdown that made it 35-24. |
| Less than 30 seconds later, Fleener grabbed a pass and streaked 73 yards down the middle of the field into the end zone, with a Redskins linebacker, safety and two cornerbacks in futile pursuit. | Less than 30 seconds later, Fleener grabbed a pass and streaked 73 yards down the middle of the field into the end zone, with a Redskins linebacker, safety and two cornerbacks in futile pursuit. |
| The Redskins lost Jackson, their speediest receiver, to a shin injury on the next series. On second and goal at the Indianapolis 1, Morris was stuffed twice. McCoy tried a lob pass on fourth down, but it was broken up. | The Redskins lost Jackson, their speediest receiver, to a shin injury on the next series. On second and goal at the Indianapolis 1, Morris was stuffed twice. McCoy tried a lob pass on fourth down, but it was broken up. |
| After the Colts’ subsequent drive stalled, Forbath hit a 29-yard field goal to make it 42-27. By then, Washington’s shorthanded defense was out of sync, out of position and out of gas, mounting little resistance to Moncrief’s 79-yard touchdown reception. With it, the Colts set a season-high scoring mark. | After the Colts’ subsequent drive stalled, Forbath hit a 29-yard field goal to make it 42-27. By then, Washington’s shorthanded defense was out of sync, out of position and out of gas, mounting little resistance to Moncrief’s 79-yard touchdown reception. With it, the Colts set a season-high scoring mark. |
| More on the Redskins: | More on the Redskins: |
| Box score: Colts 49, Redskins 27 | Box score: Colts 49, Redskins 27 |
| Images from Indianapolis | Images from Indianapolis |
| The Wrap on Colts-Redskins | The Wrap on Colts-Redskins |
| Jason Reid: Defensive woes not just on players | Jason Reid: Defensive woes not just on players |
| Thomas Boswell: McCoy’s no Luck, but Redskins can compete with him | Thomas Boswell: McCoy’s no Luck, but Redskins can compete with him |
| Defensive backs take blame for loss | Defensive backs take blame for loss |
| Colts say no difference in preparing for McCoy, Griffin | Colts say no difference in preparing for McCoy, Griffin |
| D.C. Sports Bog: Best and worst from Redskins-Colts | D.C. Sports Bog: Best and worst from Redskins-Colts |
| The Insider: Gruden not pleased with secondary | The Insider: Gruden not pleased with secondary |
| The Insider: Jackson among injured in defeat | The Insider: Jackson among injured in defeat |
| The Insider: Gruden regrets fourth-down call | The Insider: Gruden regrets fourth-down call |
| The Insider: Redskins-Eagles start time finalized | The Insider: Redskins-Eagles start time finalized |