LANDOVER, Md. — Robert Griffin III hobbled through the Washington Redskins’ locker room on crutches, the kind of scene that has become so familiar.
The franchise player was hurt again Sunday, dislocating his left ankle in the first quarter of a 41-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The best-case scenario might have him playing again by Thanksgiving, but there’s more than a decent chance he’s taken his last snap of the season.
“Moments like this,” Griffin said, “you just have to keep the faith.”
X-rays and an MRI will offer more specifics, but the Redskins for now belong to Kirk Cousins, who looked more comfortable in new coach Jay Gruden’s offense than Griffin ever did, Cousins completed his first 12 passes and finished 22 of 33 for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the woeful Jaguars.
“He’s handled being a backup like a pro,” Gruden said. “He’s waited patiently, and now his time is going to come to really take this thing and run with it.”
This was truly a next-man-up game for the Redskins (1-1). After wide receiver DeSean Jackson left in the first quarter with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder — he’s hopeful of playing next week — Ryan Grant (five catches) and Andre Roberts (four) picked up the slack. Niles Paul, playing for sidelined tight end Jordan Reed (hamstring), had a touchdown catch and set career highs with eight catches for 99 yards.
And the defense dominated. Ryan Kerrigan had four sacks, and the team as a whole had 10 — both tying franchise records. Washington didn’t let the Jaguars past midfield until the final two minutes of the first half and took a 21-0 lead on a team that, combined with the previous week, allowed 55 unanswered points until Chad Henne hit Marcedes Lewis for a 63-yard score with 1:40 to go in the second quarter.
The Jaguars gained 148 total yards — and 117 came on two plays. They are 0-2 for the third consecutive season.
Griffin has been trying to learn to be more of a pocket-passer under Gruden, but he was hurt while being his typical RG3 self. He said his ankle got stuck in the ground as he made a leaping, across-the-body throw near the sideline and tumbled awkwardly out of bounds. The pass was caught by Jackson for an 11-yard gain.
“It’s an excruciating pain,” Griffin said. “Anytime you look at your ankle and it’s going in a strange direction, you don’t want to get up.”
Chargers 30, Seahawks 21
SAN DIEGO — Antonio Gates had three touchdown catches and the Chargers controlled the tempo to keep Seattle’s offense off the field.
Gates’ 21-yard catch late in the third quarter was epic, as the star tight end split two defenders and extended for Philip Rivers’ pass, reaching out with his left hand to gather it in. Flat on his back, he held up the ball to show the officials he made the catch that gave San Diego a 27-14 lead.
Bears 28, 49ers 20
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jay Cutler passed for three fourth-quarter touchdowns after much of Chicago’s starting defense went down in the regular-season debut of Levi’s Stadium.
Cutler threw three TD passes to Brandon Marshall, two in the wild fourth quarter, as Chicago (1-1) erased a 13-point deficit and quieted the sellout crowd. Cutler threw for two scores in a 27-second span early in the final period.
San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick threw three interceptions in all and lost a fumble for the Niners (1-1).
Browns 26, Saints 24
CLEVELAND — Billy Cundiff kicked a 29-yard field goal with 3 seconds left. Cundiff’s kick helped the Browns (1-1) snap a nine-game losing streak in home openers and gave rookie coach Mike Pettine his first NFL win.
Brian Hoyer drove the Browns 85 yards in 14 plays in the final 2:46 to set up Cundiff’s winner. Hoyer completed several big passes, none more crucial than his 28-yarder to Andrew Hawkins with 13 seconds to go.
Packers 31, Jets 24
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns, Jordy Nelson had a career-high 209 yards receiving and the Packers rallied from an 18-point deficit.
New York appeared to tie it with 5 minutes left on a 37-yard catch by Jeremy Kerley on fourth down — but it was negated because the Jets (1-1) called a timeout from the sideline just before the snap. The Packers (1-1) held on from there to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2006.
Bengals 24, Falcons 10
CINCINNATI — One Bengals player after another hobbled off and headed to the locker room. They still had more than enough to stay unbeaten with a win over Atlanta (1-1).
Running back Giovani Bernard picked up the depleted offense by running for 90 yards. Cincinnati’s defense held down Matt Ryan and the Bengals won their home opener and improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2006.
But Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green aggravated an injured toe on his right foot, and didn’t catch a pass for the first time in his four-year career. Tight end Alex Smith injured his left biceps, right guard Kevin Zeitler hurt his right calf, and Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict left in the second half with a pinched nerve in his neck.
Patriots 30, Vikings 7
MINNEAPOLIS — Tom Brady and the Patriots took advantage of Adrian Peterson’s absence and Matt Cassel’s four interceptions.
Chandler Jones returned a field goal he blocked for a touchdown right before halftime.
Brady went 15 for 22 for 149 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers, and Cassel’s first start against his close friend and former mentor was a dud. Devin McCourty, Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan and Dominique Easley all picked him off, setting up 17 points for the Patriots, prompting “Teddy! Teddy! Teddy!” chants from the crowd for the rookie Bridgewater.
Broncos 24, Chiefs 17
DENVER — Terrance Knighton batted away Alex Smith’s fourth-and-goal pass to Dwayne Bowe with 15 seconds left.
The Broncos (2-0) thought they had sealed the win twice earlier on the drive. Aqib Talib’s interception return for a TD was negated when Quanterus Smith jumped offside. Then Nate Irving’s fumble recovery following DeMarcus Ware’s sack and strip was ruled an incomplete pass after a replay.
Panthers 24, Lions 7
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton made a successful return to the field, throwing for 281 yards and a touchdown. Newton, who missed the season opener with a rib injury, was 22 of 34 and overcame five sacks. Carolina started 2-0 for the first time since 2008.
Trailing 7-6 in the third quarter, the Panthers took advantage of back-to-back Detroit turnovers and scored on three straight possessions.
Cowboys 26, Titans 10
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — DeMarco Murray ran for 167 yards and a touchdown and Dan Bailey kicked four field goals. The loss spoiled Tennessee first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt’s home debut.
Dallas (1-1) scored the first 16 points of the game in the first half.
Tony Romo easily shook off his three interceptions in the season-opening loss to San Francisco. With Murray running so well, Romo was 19 of 29 for 176 yards and a TD.
Texans 30, Raiders 14
OAKLAND, Calif. — J.J. Watt caught a 1-yard touchdown pass, Arian Foster ran for 138 yards and a score and the Texans won their second straight game.
Instead of controlling the game from his usual defensive end position, Watt made his biggest impact on the opening drive when he lined up as a tight end. He caught a pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to get Houston (2-0) started.
Rams 19, Buccaneers 17
TAMPA, Fla. — Greg Zuerlein’s fourth field goal, a 38-yarder with 38 seconds remaining, gave third-string quarterback Austin Davis and the Rams a tight win.
Davis completed 22 of 29 passes for 235 yards with no interceptions in his first NFL start. Zac Stacy had a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and Zuerlein also delivered field goals of 36, 35 and 46 yards for the Rams.
Cardinals 25, Giants 14
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Ted Ginn Jr. ran 71 yards on a punt return for a go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown.
Playing in a regular-season game for the first time since 2010, Drew Stanton replaced the scratched Carson Palmer and led the Cardinals (2-0) on three long scoring drives. Arizona won for the ninth time in 11 games.
Bills 29, Dolphins 10
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — C.J. Spiller scored on a 102-yard kickoff return, and rookie receiver Sammy Watkins had a 12-yard touchdown catch.
The Dolphins (1-1) also lost a key offseason addition when running back Knowshon Moreno did not return after hurting his left elbow 11 minutes in.