Kirk Cousins' decision to take knee doesn't derail Redskins

PHILADELPHIA — If the NFC East has demonstrated anything this season, it’s that it will at least be interesting.

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins provided a what-was-that head-scratcher that wiped off three points off the board Saturday night against the Philadelphia Eagles when he took a knee seconds before halftime while in field goal range.

“There was a lot of confusion with what the play call was,” Cousins said after the game. “For lack of a better word, I just had a lapse in my decision-making and took a knee when I should’ve thrown the ball away to stop the clock. We were fortunate it didn’t end up hurting us.”

Though the play was costly at the time, it didn’t hurt Washington in the long run, as the team defeated the Eagles 38-24 and claimed the NFC East championship.

Cousins snapped the ball from the Eagles' 6-yard line with six seconds left in the half. When the fade throw appeared to be covered, Cousins kneeled to the ground, rather than to spike it to stop the clock and leave time for a field goal attempt.

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The Redskins entered the half with a 16-10 lead.

Cousins more than made up for it in the second half, playing efficient and productive football the rest of the game. He finished the game 31 for 46 for 365 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

“It’s OK, man,” offensive tackle Trent Williams said. “Mistakes happen. That’s football. It’s how you come back from that mistake that shows the character of who you are. Obviously, he came back brilliant. There’s nothing to say. Kirk, man. He’s an exceptional talent. All he wants to do is get better.”

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

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