The young quarterback completed almost everything he threw, playing the best game of his short tenure. It’s why they wanted him three years ago. It’s why they salivate over his future.
And — in addition to a smothering defense — it’s why the Redskins are 3-1 after a 34-3 win over Detroit (3-2) in front of 88,944 fans. Unlike their previous game, the Redskins built on a 14-point halftime lead and finished in style with 18 fourth-quarter points.
“It does feel good to come out and almost know you have the game won [going into] the fourth quarter,” tight end Chris Cooley said.
That they could coast in the final minutes was thanks in part to third-year quarterback Jason Campbell, who completed 23 of 29 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns for a career-best 125.3 passer rating.
“That was one of the best games he’s had for us,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. “He made smart decisions all day long. He didn’t try to force things. Every time he takes a step up, it’s huge for the Redskins. You have a young guy there that is starting to work his way up.”
The Redskins wanted Campbell to be more accurate than he had been in the first three games, when he completed just 52.4 percent of his passes. They wanted him to complete at least 62 percent Sunday. So they helped him develop a rhythm with their playcalling, giving him more options underneath.
“Coach [Al] Saunders did a good job getting me into a rhythm,” Campbell said. “It makes a big difference because you feel like you’re getting into a fluid offense.”
He did that, too, without top receiver Santana Moss, sidelined with a groin injury. Also, Antwaan Randle El left in the first half — after catching seven passes for 100 yards — with a hamstring injury. No other wideout had caught a pass for Washington this season. But newly-signed Keenan McCardell caught two for 39 yards as Campbell completed passes to eight different receivers.
“He’s a special kid,”Saunders said of Campbell.
“He’s getting better every day,” Redskins tackle Chris Samuels said. “We all go through growing pains, but right now he’s playing as good as anybody in this league.”
Campbell’s day, and a defense that limited Detroit to 144 total yards, helped Washington overcome a tough loss to the New York Giants two weeks ago.
“We have a lot of talent and it showed,” Samuels said. “We know how good we are.”
