Cousins can’t be too distant this week
If the QB’s not ready in K.C., ’Skins are toast
It’ll be tough for Kirk Cousins to top last week.
It began with the Washington Redskins quarterback piloting a big blowout victory Sunday night over the previously undefeated Oakland Raiders. At midweek, he was named the NFC’s offensive player of the week.
On Friday, he missed practice after being called to hospital, where his pregnant wife Julie — 11 days overdue — eventually delivered a healthy boy, whom the couple named Cooper.
This week for Cousins begins in Kansas City, where he and the Redskins (2-1) play the powerful Chiefs (3-0) on Monday night.
Cousins better have his mind back on football — not just because the Chiefs are for real, tough to beat at home and have an offence always just one snap away from some speedy, smurfy receiver or back breaking off a long scoring play, but also because backup Colt McCoy is not in sync with the Redskins’ starting receiver corps. McCoy subbed for the absent Cousins at Friday’s practice.
“To be honest, (that was) the first time I’ve taken snaps with these guys since this year started because I didn’t get any in training camp either,” McCoy said. “So it was fun to … y’know, I’m always a part of the game plan because I’m always studying and preparing, so nothing’s changed for me — but to go out there and have a day with those guys, I’m not complaining at all.
“That helps me, helps my confidence, if I’m asked to do that five weeks from now or whatever.”
Arrowhead Stadium isn’t the easiest NFL stadium for a visiting offence. It does hold the record for being the loudest.
“It’s going to be extra electric because it is Monday Night Football,” Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said. “We have to just prepare ourselves. You won’t be able to hear anything, and that’s what we are kind of preparing for — we won’t be able to hear anything.”
The Redskins defence has another tough task this week after suffocating the Raiders’ high-octane attack. They’re rightfully wary of the Chiefs’ speed demons, led by receiver Tyreek Hill and rookie running back phenom Kareem Hunt.
“They’ve got a track team, to be honest with you,” Washington cornerback Josh Norman said. “We’ve got to bring our track spikes. It’s going to be a track meet, man. We already know.”