Fansided

NFL: Five teams prepped for a late season surge

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 15, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks over the line of scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks over the line of scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Redskins (4-5)

What in the name of Jupiter has happened to Kirk Cousins? Just one year ago, Cousins was the emblem for overmatched signal-callers, aggressively trying to fit the ball into tight windows under heavy duress, and failing to make proper secondary reads and protect the ball. Now, he’s tempered his aggression with smarter throws, and it’s starting to pay off both for Cousins and for Washington.

Cousins’ performance was his second Player of the Week Award for 2015; the other one came in Week Seven when the Redskins came back to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-30. Even after a wild victory, the game inspired this gentle reaction from Cousins:

Cousins has been more than capable through the Redskins’ first nine games, but what is equally helpful has been the surprising competence of the team’s pass defense. DeAngelo Hall was the team’s only reliable defensive back, and after Hall has been sidelined with a toe injury, the Redskins have been forced to go with unproven players and career busts: Bashaud Breeland, Will Blackmon, Trenton Robinson and Dashon Goldson. The team has been 12th in passing yards allowed, and has only given up only 99 first downs through the air – good enough for seventh.

Washington isn’t in quite the good position of their divisional mates on this list in New York – particularly because the Giants hold a head-to-head victory and a .5-game lead in the standings – And that still may hold true for the rest of their schedule. With two games remaining against the severely injured Cowboys, as well as divisional games against the Giants and Eagles, the Redskins could use these games to make an attainable push to a divisional title.

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