RG3 fumble nets TD; NYG lead Skins 13-10 at half

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) ? Robert Griffin III's fumble was grabbed on the fly by receiver Joshua Morgan, who took the ball 13 yards for a touchdown, before Eli Manning connected with Martellus Bennett on a 4-yard score to help the New York Giants lead the Washington Redskins 13-10 at halftime Monday night.

There was a flurry of points late in the second quarter. Manning's TD toss put New York ahead 10-7 with about 2? minutes left, capping a 13-play, 85-yard drive that lasted nearly 7? minutes and included conversions on third-and-10, second-and-16 and second-and-20.

Washington responded with Kai Forbath's 33-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining.

But Lawrence Tynes' second field goal, a 40-yarder as time expired after a 28-yard pass from Manning to Bennett, put New York back in front.

It was part of a strong, if low-scoring, half for New York's offense against Washington's struggling defense: The reigning Super Bowl champion compiled a big edge in time of possession (20:32 to 9:28) and in total yards (273-156).

Tynes missed a 43-yard attempt wide left early in the second quarter.

With the Redskins trailing 3-0 after Tynes' 39-yard kick on the Giants' opening possession, the hosts went ahead by going 80 yards on only four plays ? including a wacky one for the score.

On second-and-2 from the New York 28, Heisman Trophy winner Griffin ran to his left and was being tackled by safety Stevie Brown after what would have been a 12-yard gain.

But as the dynamic rookie quarterback fell with his back to the ground, the football popped out, and went right to Morgan 3 yards farther upfield.

Morgan broke through two would-be tacklers at the goal line for the TD with a little under 4? minutes left in the first quarter. After being reviewed, the original call of a score stood.

It's the second time this season a fumble by the man known as RG3 was picked up and taken into the end zone by a Redskins receiver. Pierre Garcon did it in a victory over Tampa Bay on Sept. 30.

Monday's first quarter also included a 19-yard gain by Redskins running back Alfred Morris, making him only the second Washington rookie to top 1,000 yards rushing. Reggie Brooks did it 1993.

New York had gone ahead with an 11-play, 69-yard possession that lasted 6? minutes. Manning went 4 for 5 for 54 yards, his only incompletion coming on third down to stall the drive, leading to Tynes' first kick. Four players each collected one catch.

Giants safety Tyler Sash left in the first half with a hamstring injury. The team said his return was doubtful.

The Giants entered the game in first place in the division with a 7-4 record and coming off a turnaround 38-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

The Redskins came in 5-6, but with a two-game winning streak that made them believe their once-disastrous season could eventually result in a playoff berth.

The first meeting between the Redskins and Giants, at the Meadowlands in Week 7 in October, ended with a 27-23 victory for New York, thanks to Manning's 77-yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz with 73 seconds left.

Redskins linebacker London Fletcher and left tackle Trent Williams, who were limited in practice by injuries Friday and Saturday, both started Monday night. The 37-year-old Fletcher extended his consecutive games streak to 236 ? every game in his 15-year NFL career.

Giants receiver Domenik Hixon was inactive, but safety Kenny Phillips (right knee), defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (back) and offensive tackle David Diehl (shoulder) were available.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rg3-fumble-nets-td-nyg-lead-skins-13-032255202--spt.html

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