Week 3 of the NFL preseason generally isn’t one of the most exciting times in the football season, but this weekend’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Washington Redskins was probably the biggest highlight of this preseason. While Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will be forever linked as 2011 Heisman Trophy finalists and the top two picks of the 2012 NFL Draft, there will be few times when they actually play each other. Since the Colts are in the AFC and the Redskins are an NFC team, without a Super Bowl matchup, they will only face off once every 4 years. So while this game doesn’t count in the standings, this was one of the few times that fans could watch these two match up, and each quarterback stepped up for this one.
While RG3’s Redskins ended up with the victory in this game, it was Luck who had the more impressive statistical showing, but it was close. Griffin had a very respectable day, going 11 of 17 for 74 yards and 1 TD, but Luck finished 14 of 23 for 151 yards and 1 TD.
While the first quarter of the game led to a series of punts, Luck seemed to get in a groove in the second quarter. He showed poise in the pocket and made a nice completion early on in the first quarter to Reggie Wayne, a seasoned veteran on the team. He followed that up with a 31-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie T.Y. Hilton, one of the best passes anyone will see a rookie quarterback make. Luck was efficient and showed why he came into this year’s draft with such a lofty reputation.
Griffin did well himself and while he only passed for 74 yards, he had a big five yard run for a first down early on and led the Redskins on two touchdown drives. He also displayed his arm with a couple of big throws downfield and did nothing to dispel the notion that he is ready to start from week one at the NFL level.
One preseason game does little to enhance a player’s status in the NFL. However, every move that these two starting quarterbacks will make in the coming weeks will be analyzed several times over, and for them to both bring their ‘A’ games in this one did give their teams’ fans something to be happy about.