RG3 leads Redskins past Vikings

Landover, MD (Sports Network) - Robert Griffin III showed no ill effects of a concussion as he rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and threw for one more, leading the Washington Redskins to a 38-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings at FedEx Field.

Griffin, who suffered the head injury in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5, completed 17-of-22 passes for 182 yards as the Redskins (3-3) snapped an eight-game home losing streak.

Griffin, the No.2 overall draft selection in 2012 and reigning Heisman Trophy winner, left last week's game in the third quarter, but was listed as questionable after participating fully in practice on Friday.

Alfred Morris ran for 47 yards and a score on 16 carries and Darrel Young caught a touchdown pass in the triumph.

Christian Ponder threw for 352 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 35-of-52 passing, and Percy Harvin had a big day through the air, catching 11 balls for 133 yards for the Vikings (4-2), who saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.

Adrian Peterson returned to the same field where he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 16 of 2011 and was bottled up most of the day, rushing for 79 yards on 17 carries. Michael Jenkins and Kyle Rudolph each caught touchdown passes in the setback.

Minnesota opened the scoring on its first drive of the game as Ponder led a 9- play, 78-yard drive to the Washington two and Blair Walsh capped it with a 20- yard field goal.

Minnesota forced a three-and-out on Washington's first touch and took over on the 47. From there, the Vikings made it to the Redskins' nine before Walsh was good from 27 yards out to make it 6-0.

Griffin was picked off by Antoine Winfield at the Washington 35 on the ensuing possession and the Vikings again moved down to the Redskins' 9-yard line and Walsh was good from 27 yards out, extending the lead to 9-0 with 1:47 left in the first quarter.

The Redskins finally got the offense going on their next drive as Griffin led an extensive 13-play drive to the Minnesota 32 before Kai Forbath connected on a 50-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 9-3.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Redskins kept their offensive momentum going as Griffin took his team 90 yards in 11 plays before Morris capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown run off left tackle, giving Washington a 10-9 lead.

Ponder was hit and sacked on the first play of the ensuing drive. He lost the ball, which was recovered by Washington's Lorenzo Alexander at the Minnesota six.

Washington took advantage of the excellent field position as Griffin hit Young for a 6-yard touchdown strike, increasing the lead to 17-9.

Washington struck again on the first possession of the second half as Griffin highlighted the 10-play drive with consecutive completions to Josh Morgan of 17 and 16 yards before finishing the march with a 7-yard sprint to the end zone.

The Vikings found some offensive rhythm on their next possession as Ponder and Peterson featured in 10 of the 11 plays during the 42-yard march, which was capped by a Walsh field goal from 37 yards out, cutting the deficit to 24-12 with just over four minutes left in the third.

Following a 43-yard boot by Redskins punter Sav Rocca, Minnesota took over on the 4-yard line with 11 seconds remaining in the frame. Six plays later, however, Ponder was intercepted by Madieu Williams, who raced 24 yards to the end zone, making it 31-12 early in the fourth.

The Vikes responded with a 10-play, 80-yard march Ponder finished by hitting Jenkins for a 9-yard touchdown strike. Ponder then found Rudolph in the end zone for the two-point conversion, cutting the 'Skins lead to 31-20.

The Vikings defense came up with a stop on the ensuing Washington possession and got the ball back on the 33 with 6:18 left in the game.

Faced with a 1st-and-10 at the Washington 28, Ponder lofted the ball down the left sideline for Devin Aromashadu, who was interfered with by Josh Wilson, placing the ball at the Washington one.

Ponder found Rudolph alone in the end zone for the score, cutting the Redskins' lead to 31-26, but the Vikings could not convert the two-point conversion.

Griffin iced the game for the Redskins on the ensuing drive when he raced 76 yards down the left sideline to the end zone to cap the scoring.

Game Notes

Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson missed his second consecutive game due to a leg issue ... Washington improved to 1-3 when scoring a defensive touchdown this season ... Griffin's 76-yard scamper was the longest touchdown run by a quarterback since Kordell Stewart broke an 80-yard touchdown sprint for Pittsburgh in 1996 ... Minnesota outgained Washington, 421-361 ... The Vikings went 8-for-17 on third down, while Washington converted 6-of-12 third down chances.