Redskins' Kirk Cousins says he needs to regain self-trust
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins said at a press conference Thursday that he needs to remember to trust himself as he attempts to rebound from his poor last outing.
Cousins threw four interceptions, three of which came in a span of four consecutive possessions in the third quarter, and lost a fumble in Washington's blowout 45-14 loss to the New York Giants last Thursday.
“Human nature would say you’re going to be more careful,” Cousins said, according to CSNWashington.com. “But if you do that, I think you get in more trouble than you help yourself. So it’s important in talking with the coaches, watching film from the [Giants] game to just go back and trust my reads, trust my instincts and play the game.”
“If I start to let previous performances affect the next game in a negative way, I am not going to be in this league very long,” Cousins said. “So every play is its own entity. Every game is its own entity. I learned that from Coach [Jay] Gruden. It’s important that no matter what’s happened in the past, I [have to] keep playing the game the best way I know how.”
• BURKE: Breaking down Week 5's pivotal matchups
The poor performance against the Giants came after a promising starting debut against the Philadelphia Eagles the week before. In that game, Cousins threw for 427 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception. He also played well when replaced injured starter Robert Griffin III in Week 2, throwing for 250 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Griffin III is out for an extended period of time after dislocating his ankle against the Jaguars. While Cousins has said his role is to be Griffin's backup when the latter is healthy, Gruden has said he won't rule out starting Cousins ahead of Griffin upon his return.
Cousins faces a tall task this week as he and the Redskins host the Seattle Seahawks and their vaunted secondary on Monday night.
• FARRAR: Veterans who don't look their age on tape
Now in his third season, Cousins has thrown for 2,254 yards, 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in his career.
- Ben Estes
