Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy, guiding the second-team Redskins offense Thursday night, completed 5-of-6 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions at FedExField.*
Last week against the Cleveland Browns, Kirk Cousins entered the game to guide the second-team offense and turned in a gem.
On Thursday night, Colt McCoy got his opportunity to show what he can do under similar circumstances – and he didn't disappoint.
The sixth-year Texas product was efficient and decisive in the Redskins' 2015 preseason home opener against the Detroit Lions, completing 5-of-6 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in Washington's 21-17 victory.
"I think we just wanted to get in there and settle down, settle the guys down and run the football," McCoy said. "It is what we are going to do. And throw a few play actions off that. I felt like we did a pretty good job."
McCoy entered the game at the 7:31 mark of the second quarter with the Redskins trailing 10-0 after starter Robert Griffin III went down with a stinger and what was later diagnosed as a concussion.
McCoy relied on the run and the play action to lead a 10-play, 80-yard drive that took 5:35 off the clock, ending with a Matt Jones 1-yard touchdown run that, after the extra point, brought the Redskins within three at 10-7.
On the drive, the Redskins had plays of 19 yards (Chris Thompson run), 13 yards (McCoy pass to Reggie Bell), but otherwise chipped away on short runs and passes.
McCoy's second drive was much of the same, but had a much different end result.
With the clock ticking, the Redskins took over with 52 seconds left in the second half, still trailing 10-7. Starting from the Detroit 42-yard line after a 34-yard punt return from Andre Roberts, the Redskins quickly found themselves with a 1st and Goal from the 1 after a 23-yard pass to Je'Ron Hamm, a 9-yard pass to Rashad Ross and a nine-yard run by McCoy.
But with two seconds left, McCoy fumbled the snap, which was recovered by linebacker Travis Lewis at the Lions' 20-yard line, and, if not for a heroic effort by Thompson to run Lewis down and tackle him at the 50, he might've found paydirt.
"A little bobbled snap down on the goal line – it was wet," McCoy said. "We tried to make a play … right before half time. That was a bummer; wish we could have that one back."
Poised to make up for missing out on the golden opportunity, head coach Jay Gruden sent McCoy and the No. 2 offense back out to the field to start the second half.
After the Washington defense forced a Detroit punt, McCoy led the Redskins on an eight-play, 87-yard drive that took 5:04 off the clock, culminating in a 19-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Bell, giving Washington its first lead of the game.
On 2nd and 15 from the Detroit 19, McCoy, lined up in the shotgun with running back Trey Williams to his left, quickly fired a pass across the middle to an open Bell, who was able to dive in for the score.
"We've done so much red zone this training camp, everyday we're putting in some time down there," McCoy said. "Whether that's after practice throwing to receivers or 7-on-7, it's been a big emphasis for that."
Cousins solid againCousins entered Thursday night's game against the Lions with his team trailing 17-14, and looked sharp against a mix of second and third stringers.
In all, the Michigan State product completed 8-of-12 passes for 91 yards and an eventual game-winning touchdown pass to Ross with 5:56 left in the contest.
In two preseason games, Cousins has done his job, completing a combined 17-of-20 (85 percent) passes for 245 yards with one passing and rushing touchdown apiece.
Cousins had his choice between two receivers on his touchdown throw Thursday night against the Lions.
Facing a 3rd and Goal from the Detroit 4-yard line, Cousins – lined up in the shotgun with Chris Thompson to his left – dropped back to throw and, after a three-step drop, looked off tight end Chase Dixon on a shallow cross to his left. That left Ross wide open in the back of the end zone for the easy score.
Thompson, who snuck into the front of the end zone, was also wide open on the play.
McCoy and Cousins will continue their competition next week, when the Redskins travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
RELATED LINKS:-- Redskins First-Team Offense Drives Into Second Quarter* *-- Griffin III Exits Early In Second Quarter With Injury
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