WASHINGTON — The feel good factor is fleeting in the NFL. There was no “How do you like me now?” pronouncement after the Redskins 31-26 loss to the Cowboys.
Just days removed from the impressive win over the Packers, there is still plenty to like about Kirk Cousins.
In Dallas, Cousins passed for 449 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. That should be a recipe for success. But instead, on this Thanksgiving weekend, it was only indigestion for Redskins fans.
The Redskins are still in the playoff chase. In fact, they are in sixth place and hold the final playoff spot just ahead of the Vikings at the moment. But that standing is an accurate reflection of who the Redskins are. They fight, they scrap. But for them, there is nothing sure or easy.
The red zone is like the Redskins’ twilight zone. Against the Cowboys, the Redskins were two for five in the red zone. The struggle to convert touchdowns inside the opponent’s 20-yard line has been a problem all season, and the Redskins are ranked 28th in the NFL in red zone scoring.
This is not about commitment. Jordan Reed showed courage against the Cowboys when he returned from an AC separation in his left shoulder in the second quarter and finished with 10 catches. The Redskins offensive line is banged up, but did not allow a sack on Thursday even though Cousins threw the ball 53 times.
To be sure, the Redskins are showing they are willing to leave it all out on the field. The problem is that opportunities, points and wins are also left on the field.
