Redskins' playoff hopes depend on Cousins

By Jay Blackwell.

Between the Dallas Cowboys looking impressive with Dak Prescott under the helm, Carson Wentz’s hot start for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Odell Beckham Jr.’s up and down relationship with the kicking net, the Washington Redskins have shaken off an 0-2 start and have won four straight games.

Things have been quiet in D.C. lately after the Redskins beat the Giants, Browns, Ravens, and Eagles. However, it hasn’t always been that way this season.

After an 0-2 start that saw Kirk Cousins pass for just one touchdown and three interceptions, there was grumbling in the Redskins locker room. DeSean Jackson, who’s been frequently overthrown this season, said he needed an “assist” from his quarterback and that he wanted to “earn his money”. Jackson is in a contract year this season.

Then Odell Beckham Jr. introduced us to his emotional relationship with the infamous kicking net. We saw the tears, pushing and shoving with Redskins corner Josh Norman, and most notably the net hitting Beckham right in his face.

Something clicked that day in New York, and this team is poised to challenge the Cowboys for the division.

Since entering that game, Kirk Cousins has thrown eight touchdowns to just three interceptions. The running game has picked up tremendously with the emergence of rookie back Robert Kelley. The Redskins last week racked up 231 rushing yards on the Philadelphia Eagles, a defensive line that includes All-Pro tackle Fletcher Cox.

The defense has played noticeably better as well. The Redskins have given up an average of just 18 points the last two games and new free agent Josh Norman is quietly having one of the better seasons in football…well quiet for him at least.

Despite this, Washington only goes as far as its quarterback will take it. When Cousins is on, he’s really on. To the contrary, when Cousins is off, he really is off.

The Redskins didn’t commit long-term to Cousins for that very reason. If this team has dreams of going anywhere Cousins needs to play mistake free exceptional football.

If so, we’ll be saying “You Like That!” in the Nation’s Capital for years to come.