Robert Griffin III seemed poised to be able to chalk up his first fourth-quarter comeback win. Eli Manning, instead, added to his legend.
Manning connected with Victor Cruz for a 77-yard touchdown pass with 1:13 to play, and RG3’s final-two-minute heroics went for naught in a 27-23 New York win on Saturday.
Griffin had led Washington all the way back from a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit with a 77-yard drive capped with a 30-yard scoring strike to Santana Moss with 1:23 to play that gave the Redskins a 23-20 lead.
Manning and Cruz connected two plays later on a deep pass down the middle of the Washington defense.
A last-ditch drive led by Griffin came up short when a pass completed to Moss for an 11-yard gain and a first down was fumbled and recovered by Virginia Tech alum Jayron Hosley at the Washington 43.
Griffin was 20-for-28 passing for 258 yards and two touchdowns and added 89 yards on the ground on nine carries.
The loss prevented Washington (3-4) from claiming a share of first place in the NFC East.