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Colt McCoy steps in during the second half, leads Redskins to 19-17 victory over Titans Colt McCoy steps in during the second half, leads Redskins to 19-17 victory over Titans
(about 1 hour later)
After an abysmal first half in which Kirk Cousins threw his ninth interception of the season and fumbled the ball away as well while the offense continued to sputter, Redskins Coach Jay Gruden had seen enough.After an abysmal first half in which Kirk Cousins threw his ninth interception of the season and fumbled the ball away as well while the offense continued to sputter, Redskins Coach Jay Gruden had seen enough.
Cousins had come out of the tunnel at FedEx Field with his helmet on, and Colt McCoy his ball cap. Washington’s defense held the visiting Tennessee Titans to a three-and-out, and at the conclusion of the television timeout, it was McCoy that trotted out onto the field, greeted by a smattering of cheers from the same fans that had booed Cousins and the offense off the field at halftime.Cousins had come out of the tunnel at FedEx Field with his helmet on, and Colt McCoy his ball cap. Washington’s defense held the visiting Tennessee Titans to a three-and-out, and at the conclusion of the television timeout, it was McCoy that trotted out onto the field, greeted by a smattering of cheers from the same fans that had booed Cousins and the offense off the field at halftime.
On his first attempt, McCoy completed a short toss to wide receiver Pierre Garcon, who juked cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson and raced 70 yards to the end zone. McCoy bounced and high-stepped his way downfield after Garcon, celebrated and returned to the sideline with the home crowd whipped into a frenzy and “Hail to the Redskins” blaring over the sound system.On his first attempt, McCoy completed a short toss to wide receiver Pierre Garcon, who juked cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson and raced 70 yards to the end zone. McCoy bounced and high-stepped his way downfield after Garcon, celebrated and returned to the sideline with the home crowd whipped into a frenzy and “Hail to the Redskins” blaring over the sound system.
[Best and worst moments from Redskins-Titans]
A few hairy moments followed over the course of the second half, but the Redskins did just enough to win, 19-17, to snap a four-game losing streak and improve to 2-5.A few hairy moments followed over the course of the second half, but the Redskins did just enough to win, 19-17, to snap a four-game losing streak and improve to 2-5.
Washington mustered the victory after overcoming Cousins’s first-half turnovers, a spotty running game, continued red-zone struggles and drive-extending defensive penalties.Washington mustered the victory after overcoming Cousins’s first-half turnovers, a spotty running game, continued red-zone struggles and drive-extending defensive penalties.
A blown coverage by E.J. Biggers while matched up with Titans wide receiver Derek Hagen resulted in a 38-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Whitehurst late in the fourth quarter. That play was one of many gaffes. Twice, the defense had sacks negated because of illegal contact penalties downfield. And two plays prior to the touchdown pass, the defense gave up a first down on fourth and one.A blown coverage by E.J. Biggers while matched up with Titans wide receiver Derek Hagen resulted in a 38-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Whitehurst late in the fourth quarter. That play was one of many gaffes. Twice, the defense had sacks negated because of illegal contact penalties downfield. And two plays prior to the touchdown pass, the defense gave up a first down on fourth and one.
But with his team trailing, 17-16, with two minutes left, McCoy completed six straight passes (a seventh — a 38-yard pass to DeSean Jackson — was nullified because of offsetting penalties), and then a pass interference call on Tennessee’s Jason McCourty while covering Jackson put the ball on the Tennessee 7.But with his team trailing, 17-16, with two minutes left, McCoy completed six straight passes (a seventh — a 38-yard pass to DeSean Jackson — was nullified because of offsetting penalties), and then a pass interference call on Tennessee’s Jason McCourty while covering Jackson put the ball on the Tennessee 7.
After two kneels to run time off the clock, Kai Forbath nailed a 22-yard field goal to put his team in the win column.After two kneels to run time off the clock, Kai Forbath nailed a 22-yard field goal to put his team in the win column.
McCoy finished the day completing 11 of 12 passes for 128 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.McCoy finished the day completing 11 of 12 passes for 128 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
The Garcon touchdown was the only one Washington scored, and Forbath made four field goals to provide the remainder of the Redskins’ points in a matchup of two anemic offenses.The Garcon touchdown was the only one Washington scored, and Forbath made four field goals to provide the remainder of the Redskins’ points in a matchup of two anemic offenses.
The game started with promise for Cousins and the offense. On the second play of the game, the quarterback rolled out, beat the rush and connected with Niles Paul on a sideline pass that Paul took 50 yards to the Titans’ 29-yard line.The game started with promise for Cousins and the offense. On the second play of the game, the quarterback rolled out, beat the rush and connected with Niles Paul on a sideline pass that Paul took 50 yards to the Titans’ 29-yard line.
Three plays later, on their first third-down attempt of the game, Cousins connected with tight end Jordan Reed for a seven-yard gain and the first down.Three plays later, on their first third-down attempt of the game, Cousins connected with tight end Jordan Reed for a seven-yard gain and the first down.
But DeSean Jackson got stopped short on the following third down, and Washington settled for a 31-yard field goal by Forbath.But DeSean Jackson got stopped short on the following third down, and Washington settled for a 31-yard field goal by Forbath.
The defense forced the Titans to punt after six snaps, but Washington’s offense fell apart in three plays.The defense forced the Titans to punt after six snaps, but Washington’s offense fell apart in three plays.
Cousins had a would-be interception dropped on an errant throw over the middle. Garcon, the closest target to the ball, also had fallen down on the play. Washington got called for delay of game on the following play, and on third and 10 from the Redskins’ 25, Cousins got hit from behind while trying to throw the ball away. The blow from defensive lineman defensive lineman Derrick Morgan knocked the ball free, and linebacker Avery Williamson plucked the ball from the air. Because Cousins’s arm had not come forward, the turnover was classified as a fumble.Cousins had a would-be interception dropped on an errant throw over the middle. Garcon, the closest target to the ball, also had fallen down on the play. Washington got called for delay of game on the following play, and on third and 10 from the Redskins’ 25, Cousins got hit from behind while trying to throw the ball away. The blow from defensive lineman defensive lineman Derrick Morgan knocked the ball free, and linebacker Avery Williamson plucked the ball from the air. Because Cousins’s arm had not come forward, the turnover was classified as a fumble.
The saving grace for Washington was the fact that Tennessee’s offense is equally inept. The Titans got the ball at the Redskins’ 15 and actually lost three yards in three plays before having to settle for a 36-yard field goal from Ryan Succop.The saving grace for Washington was the fact that Tennessee’s offense is equally inept. The Titans got the ball at the Redskins’ 15 and actually lost three yards in three plays before having to settle for a 36-yard field goal from Ryan Succop.
Self-inflicted wounds served as the theme of the second quarter, and Washington trailed at halftime because of them.Self-inflicted wounds served as the theme of the second quarter, and Washington trailed at halftime because of them.
The defense appeared to come up with a crucial third-down stop at the Tennessee 25. But linebacker Trent Murphy, lined up along the line of the punt-return unit, jumped offsides on fourth down, and instead of the Redskins getting the ball at their own 40, where Andre Roberts fielded the punt, the penalty translated into a first down for the Titans.The defense appeared to come up with a crucial third-down stop at the Tennessee 25. But linebacker Trent Murphy, lined up along the line of the punt-return unit, jumped offsides on fourth down, and instead of the Redskins getting the ball at their own 40, where Andre Roberts fielded the punt, the penalty translated into a first down for the Titans.
Tennessee briefly moved the ball thanks to the new life. But that drive ended when Whitehurst threw an interception to rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland at the Washington 42.Tennessee briefly moved the ball thanks to the new life. But that drive ended when Whitehurst threw an interception to rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland at the Washington 42.
That represented only the third interception of the season for the Redskins’ defense.That represented only the third interception of the season for the Redskins’ defense.
But the celebration that stemmed from it was short lived.But the celebration that stemmed from it was short lived.
Cousins dropped back and fired a pass — right to linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who had dropped into coverage and stood roughly five yards in front of Roberts.Cousins dropped back and fired a pass — right to linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who had dropped into coverage and stood roughly five yards in front of Roberts.
The play upped Cousins’s season turnover total to 11 (nine interceptions, two lost fumbles) in four starts.The play upped Cousins’s season turnover total to 11 (nine interceptions, two lost fumbles) in four starts.
The Titans capitalized on the interception by going 37 yards in five plays, scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Whitehurst to Kendall Wright.The Titans capitalized on the interception by going 37 yards in five plays, scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Whitehurst to Kendall Wright.
Washington failed to muster a threat and went in at halftime down 10-6, a smattering of boos raining down from the stands as the players and coaches jogged off to the locker room.Washington failed to muster a threat and went in at halftime down 10-6, a smattering of boos raining down from the stands as the players and coaches jogged off to the locker room.