WASHINGTON — The Redskins’ feel-good factor didn’t last long. Just four days after the encouraging win over the Rams, the Redskins unraveled early in a 32-21 loss to the Giants, stirring feelings of doubt among the burgundy-and-gold faithful.
The doubt is understandable. The Redskins’ first two possessions Thursday ended with a blocked punt for a safety and then an interception that led to a Giants touchdown. It was almost possible to hear fans start to scream, “Here we go again.”
Hold the pessimism. It is not “déjà -Blue” all over again. It’s hard to forget the pain of last year’s 45-14 Redskins’ loss to Big Blue, the Giants, on Thursday Night Football, but this time it was different. Even if it is an awkward barometer for success, the Redskins were not embarrassed.
The Redskins suffered a defeat, but don’t seem defeated. Quarterback Kirk Cousins knows his history against the Giants — 0-3 with eight interceptions — but is focused on the present and is proud of how the Redskins moved the ball. Despite failing to establish their running game, the Redskins had more yards on offense than the Giants.
Cousins is not looking over his shoulder, and the loss to the Giants is not the beginning of a quarterback controversy. Head coach Jay Gruden made that clear after the game, and Cousins sounded more confident even in discussing his mistakes.
“I thought the corner (Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara) made a great play,” Cousins said of his first interception. “I believe there are some throws in this league that if you don’t let that one go, you are never going to let a ball go and never going to be able to complete some of those tight window throws you have to make in this league to move the football.”
In short, a bad start in one game against the Giants should not cloud what has been a good start to the season for the Redskins — even with a 1-2 record.
