Redskins Grades: Kirk Cousins vs the Atlanta Falcons
By Chris West
Oct 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) attempts a pass against the pressure by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn (99) in the first quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Grades are based on an 11 point scale from -5 to +5. Most grades fall in the -1 to +1 range. Positive grades indicate the player had a good play and negative grades indicate the player a bad play.
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins threw an interception that was run back for a touchdown by Atlanta cornerback Robert Alford in overtime. That play ended a dramatic late game back and forth contest between the Redskins and Falcons. It wasn’t the ending that Cousins or the Redskins had hoped for.
The First Quarter
Cousins began the game with a nice 13 yard pass to Pierre Garcon that was nullified by a holding penalty. The negative play and two short runs by Alfred Morris left the Redskins with a third down and 13. Cousins threw to Jamison Crowder on a short crossing route that Crowder turned upfield but was tackled after an 11 yard gain, forcing the Redskins to punt. +1pt.
On the Redskins second series of the game. Cousins threw a screen pass to Matt Jones on second down and he maneuvered his way upfield through the Falcons defense for 17 yards and a first down. After a short run by Jones, Cousins couldn’t find an open receiver so he scrambled under pressure back to the line of scrimmage. Cousins rushes his throw on third down and misses a wide open Derek Carrier forcing the Redskins to punt again. +1pt.
Cousins throws short to Chris Thompson on the next series and he turns up to the middle of the field for 14 yards. After a couple of short running plays Cousins throws down field to Garcon streaking from right to left for another 21 yard gain. The first quarter ends after another short run by Morris. +4pts.
Cousins ends the first quarter with 6 points on 6 graded plays for a 1.00 rating in the first quarter.
Next: The Second Quarter