September 22, 2014
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
One week after stepping in for an injured Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins proved he wasn’t a one-hit wonder when he took the field against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
Before the game Griffin, who is expected to make a return in mid-November, tweeted his support.
“Let’s get this W today baby!” He wrote, followed by the hash tag “Hail to the Redskins.”
On the home turf of their red hot NFC East rival, many thought that the Redskins didn’t stand a chance. But instead of a blowout, Washington, led by Cousins, put on a thrilling game that included several lead changes: an 81-yard TD run by former Eagle DeSean Jackson, and a down-to-the wire finish.
Despite his lack of experience, Cousins performed like a seasoned pro. He spread the ball across the field, hitting eight different receivers as he threw for a career-high 427 yards, including three touchdowns. Cousins threw a single pick late in the game, which the Eagles converted into a field goal and a 10-point lead.
Trailing 27-37 in the fourth, the Skins bounced back with a Roy Helu touchdown to cut the deficit to three. With a chance to put the game away, the Eagles went three and out and punted the ball. But with less than two minutes on the clock, good field position and a chance to win the game, the Redskins were unable to gain a single yard.
After an exciting afternoon, in which at one point they led 17-7, the game ended with the Skins turning the ball over on downs. Washington fell to 1-2, while the Eagles remained undefeated. After three weeks, Philly (3-0) sits alone atop the NFC East, while the Redskins and Giants are together at the bottom.
Afterwards, coach Jay Gruden said everyone, including himself, played a part in the gut-wrenching loss.
“We all had our hand in this–coaching as well–in this defeat,” he said.
Though Sunday’s game provided lots of action, it wasn’t all positive. There were 19 penalties throughout the game, including one involving Philly QB Nick Foles that started a fourth-quarter brawl. When Washington’s defensive lineman Chris Baker hit Foles after an apparent interception (it was ruled an incomplete pass), Eagles’ left tackle Jason Peters started a fight with him. Other teammates got involved before the refs calmed them down. Both Baker and Peters were ejected.
Despite the loss, the Redskins looked better than they had since early last year. Pierre Garcon had 11 catches for 138 yards, while Jackson had five for 117 yards; each scored a touchdown. Meanwhile Alfred Morris, who had a stellar outing last week, was less productive. He rushed for just 77 yards before leaving the game with a knee injury.
Though no update has been provided on Morris’ condition, the team announced Monday that cornerback DeAngelo Hall will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles’ tendon on Sunday. He, along with veteran safety Duke Ihenacho, was placed on the reserved/injured list. In the wake of the injuries, the Skins signed cornerback Chase Minnifield from the practice squad to the active roster.
As the Redskins struggle with injuries, roster changes, and quarterback controversy, all they can do is try to become the best they can, week to week.
Watching from home, Griffin remained steadfast in his support of the team.
“We will come back strong from this!” he wrote. “Proud of the fight from my bros out there today!”
Next outing, Washington heads back home for a short week and their second straight division match-up where they’ll play host to the New York Giants on Thursday night.
