Redskins QB Robert Griffin III celebrates Sunday with some of his closest friends as Washington went on to beat the Vikings 38-26. (US Presswire)

The Redskins (3-3) badly needed a game like Sunday in which QB Robert Griffin III excelled, the defense made big plays and, more importantly, they won at home, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 38-26. Washington had dropped eight straight at FedEx Field and needed a boost before playing their next two on the road against the Giants and Steelers.

Griffin provided yet another reminder how different he is at quarterback than others in the NFL. And the defense helped the Redskins get 14 more points off turnovers. They’ve now scored four defensive touchdowns and set up 49 points off turnovers -- that’s six more points than they scored off them all of last season.

Offense: B+

The Redskins stumbled in the first quarter, gaining just 29 yards and rookie Alfred Morrisfinished with 47 yards on 16 carries; he had three runs for negative yards. But they still managed to score 31 points, though the defense set them up with a six-yard drive for one touchdown. They averaged a hefty 6.6 yards per play. But QB Robert Griffin III finished with 320 total yards -- 182 passing and 138 rushing. And his 76-yard touchdown run in the fourth clinched the win. Previous game’s grade: C

Defense: A-

It wasn’t a dominating performance, but it’s what the Redskins did when it mattered that earns them a high grade. Minnesota is a run-oriented team and the Redskins stop the run well. Thirty two of the Vikings’ 94 rushing yards came on one Adrian Peterson run. Their other 23 carries produced 62 yards. Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander recovered a fumble, forced by fellow linebacker Perry Riley’s pressure, at the Vikings’ 6-yard line. And Washington safety Madieu Williams returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The defense produced four sacks. It gave up yards, but they made a huge difference and held the Vikings to one touchdown in six trips to the red zone. Previous game's grade: B

Special teams: B-

Kai Forbath’s first NFL field goal was a good one – and from 50 yards. But Forbath was 10 of 13 beyond 50 yards at UCLA, so it was no surprise. After Billy Cundiff’s struggles from beyond 50, it was a welcome sight for Washington. The Redskins' coverage units were solid, except for a 45-yard kick return by Percy Harvin -- helped by poor hangtime on a Forbath kickoff. P Sav Rocca’s three punts produced a 39-yard net with one punt downed inside the 5 by Niles Paul. And Paul’s vicious fourth-quarter hit popped the helmet off returner Marcus Sherels. The return game did nothing in part because of seven touchbacks. Previous game's grade: B-

Coaching: A-

Not much wrong here, as the offensive coaches found a way to keep moving the ball against an excellent run front. They used many similar formations, but ran a variety of plays from those looks, producing enough confusion to make a difference. Defensively, the Redskins used different personnel in nickel situations and it helped, especially Alexander, who had not played much from scrimmage this season. They also would drop CB DeAngelo Hall to FS in some run fits, to get two safeties up near the line. It made a difference. Coach Mike Shanahan’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-3 in the second quarter was aggressive and smart as the Redskins converted en route to their first points. Previous game's grade: B-

John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSRedskins or@John_Keim.