Redskins Beat Lions, Bills Edge Browns In Preseason NFL

The Washington Redskins hoped to see more progress from Robert Griffin III. Instead, what they saw was a quarterback being pummeled and then leaving the game with an injury. And now what they have to see are question marks.

It's not just about Griffin's health, either. It's about much more, and that's the troubling part. For all the talk of progress, we're back at a familiar point, wondering about Griffin's ability and his future.

Let's make this really clear: The protection was bad Thursday in the Redskins' 21-17 preseason win over the Detroit Lions. Really bad. It did not help that left tackle Trent Williams missed the game, resting a sore knee. His replacement, Willie Smith, probably won't make the roster -- not everything was his fault, but it was a struggle.

Rookie right guard Brandon Scherff, the fifth overall pick, was driven back and allowed a sack. His run blocking is coming along nicely; he's still adapting to the quickness of NFL pass-rushers. That's understandable.

Griffin had little chance and is just not equipped to operate in a situation that demands even faster reads and the ability to feel pressure and slide away. He dropped back to pass eight times and was hit on six of those attempts while being sacked three times. That's what you call a total meltdown and an all-around effort of futility.

Bills 11, Browns 10

Johnny Manziel got the Cleveland Browns in the end zone Thursday for the second time in two preseason games -- this time on a touchdown pass.

Manziel ended a 96-yard drive in the Browns' 11-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills with a 21-yard throw to Shane Wynn, a Cleveland native. On the drive, Manziel completed 6 of 7 throws and overcame a 4-yard loss when he tripped over one of his own blockers.

"I think a 96-yard drive is better than the 30-yard drive we had (against Washington)," Manziel said. "So that was better. I felt like things were slowing down still. I was able to make some protection calls and get our guys lined up."

The TD came against Buffalo backups, but with Manziel playing with backups himself. Both teams had a lengthy list of injured players who did not take part in the game. But any touchdown drive matters, especially for Manziel as he attempts to come back from a disastrous rookie season and 10 weeks in rehab.

Friday, August 21 Schedule (All Times Central)

Atlanta at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Seattle at Kansas City, 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 22 Schedule (All Times Central)

Miami at Carolina, 6 p.m.

Baltimore at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Chicago at Indianapolis, 6:30 p.m.

Jacksonville at New York, 6:30 p.m.

New England at New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.

Oakland at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Denver at Houston, 7 p.m.

San Diego at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Sunday, August 23 Schedule (All Times Central)

Green Bay at Pittsburgh, noon

St. Louis at Tennessee, 7 p.m.

Dallas at San Francisco, 7 p.m.