Washington Redskins escape Tennessee Titans after Colt McCoy replaces Kirk Cousins

Nothing went according to plan Sunday afternoon as the Redskins sputtered, shot themselves in the foot and, in a move of desperation, switched quarterbacks at halftime.

But when Kai Forbath split the uprights with 3 seconds left, his fourth field goal of an ugly game, it sealed a much-needed and long-awaited win. The Redskins won for the second time this season Sunday, slipping past the Tennessee Titans, 19-17.

Colt McCoy started the second half in place of Kirk Cousins, who accounted for two turnovers in the first. McCoy completed 11 of 12 attempts for 128 yards and led the team to its only touchdown of the game in the third quarter, connecting with Pierre Garcon on a curl route that resulted in a 70-yard touchdown.

The Redskins’ defense also proved to be relatively stout, albeit against a weak Titans offense led by backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Washington sacked Whitehurst three times and intercepted him once, the first pick of rookie Bashaud Breeland’s career. The Redskins also caused a crucial turnover in the third quarter when Dexter McCluster botched a punt and Niles Paul recovered it, leading to another Forbath field goal.

Forbath finished with four field goals in all, from 22, 27 and (twice) 31 yards.

But before all of that, it was only slop. A meeting of two of the worst teams in the NFL began as expected: with a mix of turnovers, penalties, game-changing mistakes and general sloppiness on both sides.

The Redskins nearly committed two turnovers on their opening drive — potential fumbles by Alfred Morris and Logan Paulsen — but the official’s review on each play came down in the Redskins’ favor. Washington drove to the red zone but was held to a field goal.

McCoy watched all of this from the sidelines, wearing a baseball cap and an earpiece with no helmet in sight throughout the first half. When he returned from the locker room after halftime, he took snaps from center Kory Lichtensteiger and had a brief conversation with offensive coordinator Sean McVay. After a three-and-out by the Titans, he jogged to the huddle to make his Redskins debut.

Cousins finished 10 of 16 for 139 yards with one fumble and one interception. In six games this season, he has thrown 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.