LANDOVER, Md. -- The first play of the game provided a snapshot. Another one came in the red zone much later. It was a tough day for Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, one that grew progressively worse.
His performance was a big reason the Redskins dropped yet another season opener under coach Jay Gruden, this time losing 30-17 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Three Cousins turnovers led to missed opportunities for Washington and a touchdown for the Eagles.
Still, the primary issue wasn't that the Redskins were unprepared. Cousins on the first play of the game failed to hook up with an open Terrelle Pryor, who seemingly lost the ball in the sun. A chance for a big play led to frustration for the offense.
On another play, Pryor dropped what would have been a 50-yard completion -- he said he didn't see it until the last second. No matter, though. The Redskins were called for holding anyway. There was also a drop on first-and-10 deep in their own territory. Pryor did not play in the final two series.
But it wasn’t just about the receivers. Cousins gutted out some plays thanks to his legs -- and he did put two nice throws to Pryor down the field. But last season, one area Washington struggled with was scoring in the red zone. That’s where Cousins faltered Sunday, and it’s where he must get better -- back to two seasons ago, when he went for 22 touchdowns and no interceptions inside the 20-yard line.
Cousins should not throw high to 5-foot-8 receiver Jamison Crowder under duress. That’s what happened in the fourth quarter, and one of the Redskins’ best drives ended in a tipped interception. Cousins also should not have a ball slip out of his hand under pressure, leading to a return for a score.
"You've got to be able to make that play there," Cousins said. "If we do, we probably get the first down and if not he scores and it's a different ball game. Those are the plays you look at and say, 'I've got to do better.'"
Coach Jay Gruden would agree.
"Anytime you're in the red zone and it's third down, you're going to expect some kind of all-out, zero-cover blitz and that's what they gave us," Gruden said. "We didn't handle it very well. ... You've got to be safe with the ball. That was a good rush, but the ball just sailed on him by a hair unfortunately."
Late in the game, Cousins attempted to throw a pass but the ball was ruled a fumble, the Eagles recovered and ran in for a touchdown. Cousins felt his arm was moving forward. But after a review, official Brad Allen said there was not enough to overturn the call and that, in essence, was the game.
"They made the call they made," Cousins said. "I'm not going to lose sleep over that. It's the plays leading up to the moment and those are the ones I want back."
The Eagles’ passing game made big plays. The Redskins’ passing game did not, especially when playmakers were available. But that’s not surprising. The Redskins have been off this summer with the passing attack, whether from drops or the throws. They have yet to prove they won’t miss Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. The former didn’t drop passes, and the latter would catch the deep ones.
Cousins, at times, played Sunday like someone who might gut out a win. He scrambled for a first down on second-and-6, gaining 7 yards -- and getting crunched at the end. He stepped up and somehow avoided an unblocked blitzing linebacker, then stopped and delivered a pass to Brian Quick for 13 yards on third-and-10.
But with old problems still existing -- a defense that struggles on third down (8-for-14) and an inconsistent run game -- the Redskins couldn’t afford a slow start from their passing offense. There were questions about the passing attack all summer. They have yet to be answered and not in the way Washington needs.