RGIII's maturation continues in Redskins' win over Bucs

• Griffin III threw for 323 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.
• Morris rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown.
• Redskins convert both red-zone chances vs. NFL's No. 1 red-zone defense.

TAMPA -- One of the best football traits of Robert Griffin III is that, unlike some other hyped college quarterbacks of yesteryear, his NFL jersey size does not shrink three XXXs when the rookie from Baylor is confronted with a Rex Ryan-sized challenge.

Conversely, when things go well, neither does the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback need to be fitted for a bigger helmet. He is rare, indeed.

As Griffin again displayed Sunday in a 24-22 victory, no moment really is too big for the Washington Redskins' fast-developing quarterback. He beats teams with his legs, his arm and his noggin. RGIII doesn't have ice water coursing through his veins -- it's pro football's version of Freon.

Yes, RGIII is as good as advertised -- perhaps even better. In only his fourth NFL game, Griffin completed 26 of 35 passes for 323 yards for a 102.4 rating against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also rushed for a score.

More importantly than glowing statistics, RGIII did what he is paid to do: Make plays down the stretch to win games. As the Bucs clung to a 22-21 lead with 1:42 remaining in the game, the 22-year-old took charge as if he were the Second Coming of George Blanda.

"It was like the first play of the game. He was like, 'All right guys, let's go do this,' " Redskins center Will Montgomery said. "He's a cool, calm operator and he was able to get the job done."

Starting from the Redskins' 20, Griffin completed passes to wide receiver Santana Moss (15 yards), tight end Fred Davis (20 yards), running back Evan Royster (4 yards) -- and then the 6-2, 217-pound quarterback darted out of harm's way for a 15-yard gain to the Tampa Bay 26.

Griffin quickly and expertly ordered his team to the line of scrimmage. He spiked the football to stop the clock. After a Redskins' penalty, Griffin hit Moss for a 7-yard completion to the Bucs' 24.

Enter kicker Billy Cundiff, who had missed all three previous field goal tries. This time, he waffled through a 41-yarder to win the game. Until then, the Redskins had been held scoreless in the second half after squandering a 21-3 lead in the first half.

Exit the Buccaneers with another defeat, another film noir-ending for the rebuilding franchise which has lost 13 of its last 14 regular-season games dating to 2011. Despite the hectic, hurry-up nature of the last drive, Griffin described it as "a lot of fun for us to go out there and win a game the way we did."

"It felt great (although) the whole drive was a little complicated," he said. "We always practice me calling the play in two-minute (drills), acting as if the headset goes out (in his helmet). The funny thing, the headset did go out. That's why I was running back and forth to sideline. I had to call a couple of my own plays."

He added: "It was neat the way that practice scenario actually played out in the game. You don't want that to happen, but it was pretty cool."

As it turned out, the quarterback and his play-caller, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, split play-calling duties on the final drive.

"It looked like we both knew what we were doing, collectively," Griffin said.

Rather than shrivel from the pressure, Griffin said his attitude always has been quite simple.

"You try to rise to the occasion," he said. "I think in the movie The Replacements they said, 'Great players want the ball in their hands at crunch-time.' "

RGIII stopped himself, giggled with half-embarrassment.

"It's funny I just quoted that movie, but that's how it really is," he said. "You want the ball in your hands when something has to happen. That's what we did."

The movie, a 2000 comedy based on the NFL players' strike in 1987, is about a group of replacement players (sound familiar?) used by the owners during a strike. It starred Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman. RGIII already is a star in the NFL galaxy. And his aura will grow brighter with time and experience.

"He had a lot poise there in the fourth quarter, especially during that last drive," coach Mike Shanahan said. "He made some big-time plays."

Of course, that doesn't mean Griffin plays error-free football. What rookie does?

With the Bucs leading 3-0 in the first quarter, the Redskins drove deep in Tampa Bay territory. On third-and-5 from the Bucs' 9, the Redskins spread the field with an empty backfield and three pass-catchers lined up to the left. On a quarterback draw, Griffin scooted up the middle and was slammed airborne before fumbling at the 1.

Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon returned to the starting lineup just at the right time. Out of action the last two weeks because of injury, Garcon pounced on the football in the end zone for a touchdown.

On his second attempt on the identical play in the red zone, RGIII didn't fumble it away.

Midway through the second quarter, with the Redskins protecting a 7-3 lead, Griffin sprinted up the middle and virtually walked into the Bucs' end zone untouched on first-and-goal from the 5. The score tied a franchise record held by Eddie LeBaron and Joe Theismann with four rushing touchdowns by a Redskins rookie quarterback.

"He's a playmaker," said Tampa Bay safety Mark Barron, in classic understatement. "He played a big part in his team winning the game."

A week ago, in a 38-31 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals, Griffin was roughed up throughout the game. The rookie not only was sacked six times, he was manhandled by the Bengals after fully executing his option fakes.

To better protect their $21 million investment, the Redskins designed more plays for him against Tampa Bay in which he could quickly get the football out of his hands. On seven-step drops, Griffin made the most of his reads and checked down to receivers.

"Oh, it was great -- I didn't get hit as much this game as last game," he said. "That's how it goes sometimes. I got (nailed) with a good hit early in the game, but for the most part I didn't get hit too hard, too often. Good job by the offensive line."

Griffin stood on the sidelines talking with Redskins reserve quarterback Rex Grossman as the Buccaneers took possession in the game's final 3:38. As Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman moved the Bucs downfield and into field goal position for kicker Connor Barth, Grossman mentioned something to the rookie.

"He was saying, 'You want him to make this (so) you can lead the team down the field and get us a win,' " Griffin said. "I was like, 'Yeah, but I also want him to miss this field goal.' "

Of course, Barth made the kick.

And then RGIII did what the Redskins expected to when they made him the No. 2 overall selection in last April's draft. He kicked into overdrive and produced a thrilling ending to a (real) football movie.