Robert Alford intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass in overtime and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown that gave the Atlanta Falcons a 25-19 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
The pick-six concluded a wild endgame after an uneventful first three quarters. The Redskins (2-3) led 7-6 entering the fourth quarter. Julio Jones recovered a Devonta Freeman fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, capping a 91-yard drive, that gave the Falcons a 12-7 lead with 9:14 left.
Atlanta was unsuccessful on a two-point conversion attempt after the Jones score. Washington answered with a Matt Jones 2-yard TD run capping a quick four-play, 80-yard drive. The ‘Skins also failed at a two-point conversion attempt and led 13-12 with 7:59 to go.
A Matt Ryan pass was intercepted by Bashaud Breeland and returned to the Falcons 21, setting up the Redskins on the cusp of the red zone with 5:44 to go. Washington had a first-and-goal at the Atlanta 10, but ended up having to settle for a 28-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal with 2:38 left.
Ryan redeemed the INT, leading the Falcons on an 80-yard drive that culminated in a Freeman 6-yard TD run with 24 seconds left that seemed to clinch it for Atlanta.
But Cousins completed passes of 20 years to Derek Carrier and 19 yards to Pierre Garcon to get the ‘Skins to the Atlanta 41. A seven-yard pass to Jamison Crowder set up a 52-yard field-goal attempt for Hopkins, who split the uprights as time expired to send the game to OT.
Washington won the coin toss and drove past midfield, when Cousins, on a second-and-eight play, threw early because of pressure from a blitz. Alford snagged the errant pass intended for Ryan Grant and ran untouched down the right sideline into the end zone.
Cousins finished 21-of-32 passing for 219 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Washington ground game was throttled all day long, gaining just 51 yards on 24 rushes.
Ryan was 24-for-52 passing for 254 yards and two interceptions.
Freeman had 153 yards on 27 carries for the Falcons (5-0).
Share
AFP
