Robert Griffin III knew a nearly flawless performance that included just one incompletion wouldn't exempt him from criticism.

The film room review would have some comments by coaches, but the Washington Redskins quarterback was certain his father, Robert Griffin Jr., would be ready with some tips, too.

And that's one reason Griffin is thankful heading into the Redskins' visit to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

"Whenever I come off of the field after a game, win, lose ... he gives me his criticism or praise," Griffin said. "There are some games that we lose the game and I think he's going to tear me apart, and he doesn't tear me up. There are some games like the last one where you go 14 of 15 and he's chewing you out, and you're like, 'Come on, Dad.' I appreciate it, and he knows that. He'll keep it coming, and you never know what you're going to get out of him."

Griffin's excellence on the field is second only to the way he handles himself off the field. Robert Griffin Jr. and his wife, Jacqueline, must be incredible parents.

"Everything I do, I try to think what my parents would think if they were sitting right there watching," Griffin said. "[Making my father proud] is paramount to me. I didn't even know what that word meant until he taught it to me a few years ago. It's really important. He was there for me. He sacrificed so much for me, so I want to make sure I make him proud."

Griffin's the first rookie quarterback to be named offensive player of the week twice since the award's inception in 1984. He also was rookie of the month in September. There hasn't been a bad game among his 10 -- and only a couple fair ones. Mostly, it has been more like his game against the Eagles, in which he finished with a perfect 158.3 rating after completing 14 of 15 passes, including four for touchdowns.

Still, the father found some footwork problems, and the son accepted the criticism.

"I thought I protected myself pretty well," Griffin said. "But he mainly pointed to the play when [Eagles defensive end Jason] Babin got me on my side and my legs got messed up a little bit. He told me I can't do that. I said, 'I know, I know, Dad.'

"Just little things, not holding the ball up when you scramble. He just makes sure he sticks those points because sometimes out here the coaches are so focused on other things that they might miss a minor detail, and he definitely brings it up."

But Robert Griffin Jr. isn't always as tough as the Redskins' coaches.

"No, not at all," Griffin said. "Kyle [Shanahan] and them are tough on me, pretty tough. My dad has always been tough on me no matter what sport it was. It's give and take."

Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email rsnider@washingtonexaminer.com.