LANDOVER, Md. -- Thoughts and observations after the Washington Redskins' 19-17 win over the Tennessee Titans:
What it means: The Redskins snapped their four-game losing streak thanks to Kai Forbath’s game-winning 22-yard field goal. They were fortunate to be playing a team that made as many mistakes as it did. So this was not the sort of win after which you can say the Redskins look ready to go on a roll. But what it does do is calm down the situation at Redskins Park for another week or so. This was a team struggling with its confidence, thanks to a bad start and the residual effect of last season’s 3-13 record. Players admitted to feeling a loss of confidence in late-game situations and expected bad things to happen. One game does not solve everything for Washington, but at least the Redskins get to try to fix errors after a win. Oh, and there’s now a little bit of an issue with the quarterback situation.
More controversy: Once more, there’s a quarterback question -- controversy, issue, whatever you want to call it -- in Washington. The Redskins benched Kirk Cousins after another turnover-filled game by the third-year pro. He fumbled once, leading to a Titans field goal, when he was careless with the ball in the pocket and got hit as he was about to throw. He later threw an interception when he either didn’t see the linebacker or thought he could throw over him. Regardless, a bad throw, and it cost Washington again. Cousins’ body language after the pick, with his head down, suggested it was time for him to come out. After halftime, Colt McCoy entered. His 70-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon was all Garcon, but McCoy drove Washington downfield for the game-winning points in the final 3 minutes, 14 seconds.
Stock watch: Garcon turned a short catch into a long run, reminding everyone that he indeed has speed. And DeSean Jackson caught a 37-yard pass and drew a pass-interference penalty late. Both players made plays in a game when Washington needed them. And the special teams was up, thanks to, finally, a huge play turned in by Niles Paul when he recovered a fumble to set up points. Cousins, obviously, saw his stock plummet. The issue is not his understanding of the offense or his inability to ever make plays; it’s all about being unable to shake the negative ones.
Game balls: QB Colt McCoy. He drove Washington 76 yards in the final minutes for the winning field goal. McCoy made quick decisions, did not look rattled under pressure, and took an occasional shot at Jackson, one of which drew a pass-interference penalty to set up the winning points. McCoy completed 11 of 12 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. More than just making the right plays, he avoided the disastrous ones.
What’s next: The Redskins return to prime time, which has been problematic for them the past two years, when they play at Dallas on Oct. 27.