LANDOVER — Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins on Wednesday downplayed last week’s dramatic last-second win in Seattle, saying he prefers to be process-oriented rather than driven by outcome.
But at some point, outcomes matter.
Despite another solid outing from Cousins, the Redskins fell 38-30 Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings at FedEx Field. The Redskins, once again, slip below .500 on the season.
Vikings quarterback Case Keenum carved up the Redskins defense, throwing for 304 yards and four touchdowns. The Redskins failed to cover wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
The Redskins made it interesting late, due to two forced turnovers from safety D.J. Swearinger in the fourth quarter. Swearinger had two interceptions on back-to-back drives, the latter of which set up a two-yard rushing touchdown from Cousins to make it a one-score game.
The Vikings, though, marched down the field and kicker Kai Forbath hit a 53-yard field goal to put Minnesota up 38-27 with just under eight minutes remaining.
Redskins running back Chris Thompson then failed to convert a fourth-and-1 with 4:44 left, which put the game out of grasp.
Redskins kicker NIck Rose hit a 55-yard field goal to cut the Vikings lead to eight with 1:14 left.
For most of the season, the Redskins defense helped bail out the offense. That wasn’t the case against the Vikings.
In the first half, the Redskins defense couldn’t contain Thielen, who had four receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown at halftime. The Vikings receiver finished with eight catches for 188 yards.
Diggs also did damage. After Redskins wide receiver Maurice Harris hauled in a 36-yard touchdown with an amazing one-handed grab to go up 7-0, Diggs beat cornerback Josh Norman for a 51-yard reception. It helped set up a 1-yard Latavius Murray rushing touchdown to tie the game.
Diggs, a former Maryland standout, had 78 yards and a touchdown.
The Redskins offense, meanwhile, found its groove with the majority of their offensive line returning. Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Spencer Long, Brandon Scherff and Morgan Moses were all active after dealing with a series of injuries.
Redskins wide receiver Jamison Crowder also returned after missing the Seahawks game with a hamstring injury, continuing his chemistry with Cousins. In the second quarter, Cousins hit Crowder for a 32-yard gain, setting up a 1-yard QB sneak for a touchdown to put the Redskins up 17-14 with 4:37 left in the half.
But as was the case for most of the day, the Vikings answered in just six plays — taking a 21-17 lead with 1:49 left in the half.
When the Redskins needed an answer, Cousins threw an interception, having it returned to their own 23-yard line. The Vikings scored, entering halftime with a 28-17 lead. The deficit was just enough and Washington couldn’t come back.
The process had failed.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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