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A pair of red-hot quarterbacks meet in the nation’s capital
on Sunday as Matt Ryan brings the undefeated Falcons into FedEx Field for a
meeting with rookie sensation Robert Griffin III. Led by Ryan, Atlanta has
matched its best start in franchise history with a quick-strike offense and the
NFL's eighth-ranked defense. Atlanta seems to be a team without a weakness. It
ranks third in the NFL in scoring at 31 points per game while allowing just 19.
All Griffin has done is revitalize the Redskins with his
electric play-making abilities. Last week, with his headset malfunctioning, Griffin
called his own plays and led Washington to its game-winning drive at Tampa Bay.
Griffin is on pace to throw for 4,000 yards and run for an additional thousand. The rookie from Baylor is aiming to help Washington end a seven-game slide at
home.
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Atlanta -3, O/U 50.5
ABOUT THE FALCONS (4-0): Even when the Falcons seemed to be
stumbling in last week's game against the Panthers, Ryan led them on the
game-winning drive with ease as Atlanta edged Carolina
30-28. Matt Bryant kicked the game-winning field goal after Atlanta had fallen
behind in a game for the first time this season. Ryan is the top-rated passer, completing more than 69 percent of his
attempts with 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. No. 1 receiver Roddy White is
fourth in the league with 413 yards. Tight end Tony Gonzalez and second-year wideout Julio Jones have combined for
42 catches and over 400 yards.
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (2-2): Despite Griffin’s presence, not all is good
with Washington. The Redskins' two victories have
come against teams with a combined 1-7 record and safety Brandon Meriweather
will miss the game — and possibly longer — after re-injuring his left knee in a
scary pregame collision with WR Aldrick Robinson. Meriweather had been planning
to play against Tampa Bay after missing the first three games with a sprain in
the same knee. Billy Cundiff kicked the game-winner against the Bucs after missing his first three attempts earlier in the game. Washington’s other rookie phenom, Alfred
Morris, has scored four TDs on the season and leads all rookies with 376
rushing yards.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Atlanta is one of three undefeated teams in the NFL.
2. Washington WR Pierre Garcon (foot) has
practiced fully throughout the week.
3. The Falcons have won three of the past four games in the
series.
Prediction: Falcons 27, Redskins 14