ATLANTA — (WMAL) It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for Kirk Cousins on Sunday in Atlanta. Unfortunately for the Redskins, the worst part came last in a 25-19 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons. .
But first… the best.
Trailing 19-16 with 24 seconds on the clock, Cousins led the Redskins 55 yards downfield on three passes to Derek Carrier, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder, leaving just enough time to set up Dustin Hopkins’ 52-yard field goal to force the extra period. From there, all things appeared to be going the Redskins’ way. They won the coin flip to receive the ball first in overtime, and the offense drove to midfield.
Facing 2nd and 8, Cousins hurried a pass to his left as he faced pressure from the Falcons’ rush, and threw it into the waiting arms of cornerback Robert Alford, who scampered 59 yards to the end zone, sealing the win for Atlanta. Redskins wideout Ryan Grant fell while making a cut for the ball, but Cousins said the game-killing mistake was his alone.
“I was hot off the left side and felt need to get rid of the football and not take a sack and kill the drive,” Cousins said. “… I made the throw and the guy made the play and that was it.”
For Alford, the game-winning play was redemption for an earlier pass-interference penalty he received while covering the Redskins’ Rashad Ross in the end zone. That play enabled the Redskins to take a 13-12 lead on a two-yard rush by Matt Jones in a game that saved most of its drama – and scoring – for the 4th quarter, when the teams combined for 25 of the game’s 44 points.
Atlanta entered the game with one of the highest-scoring offenses in the NFL, but stout play by the Redskins secondary kept Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan at bay for most of the day. Ryan failed to throw for a touchdown, while fumbling the ball away once and throwing for two interceptions. Instead, Atlanta relied on rookie running back Devonta Freeman, who shredded the Redskins’ defensive line for 153 yards on 27 carries, with a touchdown.
For the Redskins, it was a tough loss and a blown opportunity to get a road win, as well as what would have been consecutive wins for the first time in nearly a year. The Redskins’ run game was held in check, with just 51 yards rushing, and Cousins (21 – 32, 219 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) was inconsistent, with his accuracy scattered at times.
“We’re going to demand better from Kirk,” coach Jay Gruden said, “and he will get better.”
The Redskins have been asking for patience as they continue to develop, and Sunday’s game was definitely one of those “two steps forward, one step back” occasions. A week after mounting a last-minute comeback against the Eagles, Washington again showed a tough resolve to stay in the game, but failed ultimately to seal the deal.
“We don’t get any moral victories in the NFL. We feel like we’re right there as a football team and can compete with anybody. We’re sick no matter who we lose to,” said Gruden.
The Redskins head next to the Meadowlands on Sunday, where they’ll face the New York Jets.
Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Washington Redskins)
