Kirk Cousins vs Bills - 22/28, 319 yards, 5 Total TDs (4 passing, 1 rushing)

This week was Cousins first five touchdown performance of his career. He threw four through the air and ran one in from 13 yards out on a failed shovel pass attempt. In this breakdown, we will take a look at some of Cousins’ top plays and discuss if Cousins is a “franchise” quarterback for this team.

Before I begin, here are my previous breakdowns I have written about Kirk Cousins so far this season:

• Kirk Cousins vs Saints (Week 10) – 20/25, 324 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT
• Kirk Cousins vs Patriots (Week 9) – 22/40, 217 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Kirk Cousins vs Buccaneers (Week 7) - 33/40, 317 yards, 4 Total TDs, 0 INT
• Kirk Cousins vs Giants (Week 3) – 30/49, 316 yd, 1 TD, 2 INT
• Kirk Cousins vs. Dolphins (Week 1) – 21/31, 196 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

Play 1
Situation: 1st and Goal at BUF 3
Description: (9:22 - 1st) Jordan Reed Pass From Kirk Cousins for 3 Yrds D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD.

The Redskins line up in singleback with an extra offensive lineman on the line of scrimmage. Jordan Reed is on the far right and he runs a fade route to the right against former Redskins’ safety #30 Bacarri Rambo. The ball is thrown early and inside to Reed. This is unexpected by Rambo. Reed jumps for it and grabs it before Rambo realizes where Cousins places the ball for the score.

Play 2
Situation: 3rd and Goal at BUF 13
Description: (12:46 - 2nd) (Shotgun) K.Cousins scrambles right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD

In the second quarter, the Redskins started this drive on the 29 yard line after a shanked punt by Bills’ punter Colton Schmidt. The play is a designed shovel pass to running back #31 Matt Jones. Defensive end #94 Mario Williams crashes on the running back holding him in the backfield, so Cousins decides to keep the ball.

Left guard #61 Spencer Long pulls across the formation and blocks linebacker #52 Preston Brown, while Cousins cuts up the field following his lead blocker. Now the reason why this play worked was due to the lack of effort by slot cornerback #37 Nickell Robey. He has a clean shot at Cousins, but he elects not to take it.

Play 3
Situation: 1st and 10 at BUF 18
Description: (8:47 - 2nd) Jordan Reed Pass From Kirk Cousins for 18 Yrds D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD.

• The Redskins line up in shotgun slot left far. They motion Pierre Garcon behind Jordan Reed to complete a twin stacks on the left side of the formation before they hike the ball.
• The Bills are in a 4-3 Under front showing a two deep safety look pre-snap. After the motion the outside cornerback does not reposition. This gives away his zone coverage responsibilities in the defense.
• After the snap, Garcon runs a skinny-post up the seam, while Reed runs a post with a “dino” stem to the outside before cutting back inside.
• Key to the play: The combination of the “dino” stem from Reed and Garcon’s skinny-post is what creates the separation for the touchdown against this Cover 4 defense.
• #21 McKelvin and FS#20 Graham are in the two deep zones on the left side of the field. Garcon’s skinny-post pulls Graham to the opposite side of the field, while Reed’s out-breaking portion of his route pulls McKelvin towards the left sideline opening a hole for him to cut back into for the score.
• Great execution by the receivers, and a great route combination against this Cover 4 defense. Cousins identifies the coverage quickly and throws an excellent pass to Reed to make it 21-0.

Play 4
Situation: 1st and 10 at WSH 23
Description: (8:39 - 3rd) DeSean Jackson Pass From Kirk Cousins for 77 Yrds D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD.

• The fourth touchdown by Cousins on the day (3rd through the air) came in the middle of the 3rd quarter, while the Redskins were up 21-3.
• The Redskins run a vertical switch-concept on the left side of the field.
• Jackson runs what the Redskins call a “rail”-route. Similar to a wheel, but the main difference is that Jackson does not look back to sell the flat portion of the route. Instead, he focuses on getting up the field quickly.
• He is actually well covered by the Bills’ cornerback in this Cover 1 Man defense.
• Cousins throws the ball to him anyways purposely leaving it short on the left sideline. Jackson adjusts to it and then cuts up the field for the score.
• The big mistake is committed by #30 Bacarri Rambo on the defense. He takes a TERRIBLE angle overrunning his deep safety responsibilities to the sideline. This is why Jackson could cut back for the 77-yard score. If Rambo took a more conservative angle - something he struggled with and was cut for by the Redskins - he might have stopped Jackson on the Bills’ 45 yard line for a 30 yard gain instead of the long touchdown.
• Anothing thing you will notice is that this play was run on a first down. This is a stark contrast to the very conservative seven-man blocking front the Redskins were using in previous weeks.

Speaking of DeSean Jackson. His ability to sell routes is how they combined for 153 yards on six receptions in this game. In the first quarter, they connected for a 28 yard gain on a 2nd and 11. Jackson runs a curl-n-go on the right side of the field. It’s Jackson’s fake on the curl portion that got him open for the long reception up the sideline.

Watch Jackson closely. He straightens his body and faces back inside. This tricks #28 Ronald Darby into looking to the backfield for the ball expecting a curl-route. Jackson then bolts past him free up the sideline.

Give most of the credit to Jackson here for the excellent route-running. Cousins deserves the rest with the great ball placement and for holding the safety with his eyes before he targets Jackson. Jackson still has another year under contract with the Washington Redskins. If he keeps performing this well, I can’t imagine GM Scot McCloughan letting him walk even though he’s 29 years old.

Play 5
Situation: 1st and Goal at BUF 5
(11:16 - 4th) Pierre Garcon Pass From Kirk Cousins for 5 Yrds D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD.

Just like Play 1, the play-call is another fade route. This time it’s to the back left corner of the endzone to Pierre Garcon. Cornerback #21 McKelvin turns inside, but Cousins places the ball on Garcon’s outside shoulder. He jumps for it and is able to grab it before McKelvin can turn fully around to swat it away.

Kirk Cousins was phenomenal during this game keeping drives alive using seven different receivers in the process. If you haven’t seen it already, he was actually mic’d up for the game. He had an interesting sideline conversation with offensive coordinator Sean McVay. They discussed how they are going to keep the “foot on the gas and are going to keep putting the responsibility on Cousins to make plays.” So far this strategy seems to work for the team.

Is Cousins a “franchise” quarterback? In my opinion, yes. Cousins best attributes are his quick decision-making and his pocket presence. Earlier this season, Cousins struggled with accuracy on some of the underneath crossing routes. Since the season has progressed, however, he has improved greatly. These are very important throws in Jay Gruden’s West Coast quick-concept offense and the reason why the Redskins have been so dynamic as of late.

Next week represents the greatest test for the Redskins. They have already beaten the Eagles once this season and if they beat them again in Philadelphia, they can clinch the division.

Follow Samuel Gold on Twitter: @SamuelRGold.