Robert Griffin III makes history as NFC offensive player of week

Robert Griffin III made an NFL debut Sunday that may have only been surpassed in league history by Cam Newton last season.

But Griffin, the Washington Redskins quarterback, accomplished one thing that even Newton wasn’t able to do in his first game as a pro -- earn the title of offensive player of the week.

The NFL announced Wednesday that Griffin received that honor in the NFC, marking the first time in either conference that a rookie has been the recipient of the award since its inception in 1984.

Griffin completed 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 139.9 to lead the Redskins to a 40-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints. In doing so, he became the first player ever to pass for 300-plus yards, two or more touchdowns and no interceptions in his first game. The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft is also the first rookie to throw for 300 or more yards and win a season opener.

Newton, the Carolina Panthers quarterback, set a record for most passing yards by a player in his first NFL game during last season’s opening weekend, throwing for 422 yards in a 28-21 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He had two touchdowns and an interception with a passer rating of 110.4.

But Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers came away with the offensive player of the week honors that time after completing 27 of 35 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns for a quarterback rating of 132.1 in a 42-34 victory over the Saints.

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