Each week, THN will choose their 3 players of the game at each position. Here are week 1’s selections:
Offense: Clinton Portis
The Redskins could not penetrate Chicago’s run defense very well during the first quarter. When Patrick Ramsey exited the game due to a neck injury in the second quarter, the Redskins ran the ball more. After marginal success running up the middle, Clinton finally broke one outside the tackles late in the third quarter. Portis went 41-yards on the scamper. Portis finished the game with 21 carries for 121 yards and a healthy 5.8 yards per carry.
Defense: Cornelius Griffin
Griffin anchored the Redskins defensive line Sunday and did not leave Bears running backs Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson any room to run. The Redskins defense allowed only 41 yards rushing and 166 total yards. Griffin was a disruptive force to the Bears offensive line all day and came through in the clutch, recording two tackles and capping off the Redskins’ victory by sacking Kyle Orton and forcing a fumble late in the 4th quarter, which he also recovered .
Special Teams: John Hall
Hall was the only scoring threat on Sunday due to a Redskins offense that failed to convert their red zone opportunities into touchdowns against the stout Chicago defense. Hall connected on field goals of 40, 43, and 19 yards. Hall’s three field goals won the game for the Redskins in what was a battle of two of the NFL’s elite defensive units.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Jake Russell