EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – One of the Washington Redskins’ most miserable seasons in their 82 years mercifully ended Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where they lost to the New York Giants, 20-6.
Kirk Cousins went 19-for-49 for 169 yards and two interceptions for Washington, which finished a season 3-13 for the first time in 19 years and lost its last eight games for the first time since 1960.
The focus will now shift to the status of coach Mike Shanahan, whose future with the team is uncertain. Between the Redskins’ performance and the crumbling relationships between the coach, owner Dan Snyder and quarterback Robert Griffin III, among others, it’s likely that Shanahan, who signed a five-year, $35 million contract in 2010, will not be able to finish it out.
Sunday’s game was exactly what one would expect between two of the worst teams in the league – and it was only worsened by a driving rain that started just before kickoff. The teams combined for seven turnovers, and the Redskins gained 251 total yards, including just 91 on the ground.
Cousins, wrapping up a three-game stint as the starting quarterback in place of Robert Griffin III, clearly had his worst performance of the season. He struggled to find open receivers downfield and his accuracy was suspect; in the first half, he completed just 7 of 18 attempts for 55 yards.
Wide receiver Pierre Garçon became the third player since the NFL adopted a 16-game schedule in 1978 to catch at least five passes in each game when he had six receptions for 56 yards, while running back Alfred Morris had 62 yards on 16 attempts.
Quarterback Eli Manning completed 10 of 24 passes for 152 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Giants (7-9) before leaving the game at halftime with a sprained ankle. Curtis Painter, who entered in Manning’s place, completed just two of eight attempts for 11 yards and an interception.
Wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan caught a 24-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and ran 49 yards on a reverse for a touchdown in the third quarter, while kicker Josh Brown added field goals of 34 and 38 yards.
The Redskins scored their only points on a pair of field goals by Kai Forbath, who made a 31-yarder in the first quarter and a 49-yarder with four seconds remaining until halftime.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.