Pro Sports

Skins' Cousins, Eagles' Bradford having up-and-down seasons

Posted October 03, 2015 7:00 am

By HOWARD FENDRICH

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY, OCT. 4, AND THEREAFTER - FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2015 file photo, Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass during the first half an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. It's a common lament heard around the Washington Redskins these days: The team is simply not coming up with big plays _ the forced turnover, the long touchdown pass, the momentum-swingers that can make a difference and mask other problems. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File) The Associated Press

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) - By just about any statistical measure, Washington's Kirk Cousins and Philadelphia's Sam Bradford have been among the worst quarterbacks in the NFL so far this season.

Each has thrown four interceptions heading into Sunday, when the Redskins (1-2) host the NFC East rival Eagles (1-2). Only three QBs have been picked off more often.

Each has completed three touchdown passes. Only three QBs with three starts have fewer.

And the list goes on. Neither Cousins nor Bradford has completed a pass of 40 yards or more. Cousins' passer rating is 81.3; Bradford's is 72.5 - both in the bottom third of the league.

"There are some throws Sam probably wants back," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. "There are a couple in there that he missed, but there are also some drops, too, that I think could have really extended some drives for us. But we are pleased with Sam right now."

Redskins coach Jay Gruden, so publicly critical of Robert Griffin III last season, has been preaching patience with Cousins, even if the team's current starting quarterback has not been able to shake his career-long propensity for turnovers.

"Anytime you throw an interception, you're always going to say, 'What can I do differently so it doesn't happen again?' So I don't want to sound like I'm shrugging my shoulders and not taking it seriously," Cousins said. "On the other hand, if I don't trust those throws and let them go at times, I'll probably never be able to make consistent completions in this league."

Here's more to know about Sunday's game:

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY: Showers are predicted for Sunday, which could affect play-calling and ball security for both teams. Gruden dropped footballs in puddles during a rainy practice Thursday and had each of his running backs work on handling a wet ball. "You've got to prepare yourself for stuff like that," said Matt Jones, a rookie who already has two fumbles this season - in dry weather.

NO SACK MACHINES HERE: Both teams have not had much success bringing opposing QBs down - and neither team has been giving up many sacks, either. The Redskins have only four sacks, the Eagles five. Cousins has been sacked only four times, Bradford two.

SECONDARY CONCERNS: Here's something that could help Bradford and the Eagles' passing game: The Redskins could be without both starting cornerbacks, DeAngelo Hall (out with a right toe injury) and Chris Culliver (missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with swelling in his knee).

RUN STOPPERS: One of the league's top run defenses goes against one of the best rushing attacks. The Eagles are giving up 87 yards per game on the ground and a league-best 3.11 yards per carry. The Redskins are fourth in the NFL with an average of 143.7 yards rushing per game. Running backs Alfred Morris (199 yards) and Jones (189 yards) are both on pace for 1,000-yard seasons. Something has to give. "They function the same way. They are big, strong, downhill, break-the-tackle runners," Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis said of Washington's two main backs. "They have the ability to go, but they really are downhill. They run the stretch game. They are really committed to the run game."

MISSING D-JAX: Jordan Matthews was the only wide receiver to catch a pass for the Eagles in Week 3's win against the Jets. He has 22 receptions this season. Josh Huff, Riley Cooper, Nelson Agholor and Miles Austin have combined for 13 catches for 122 yards and no touchdowns. The Eagles had Pro Bowl receivers the past two seasons, but coach Chip Kelly released DeSean Jackson - who is now with the Redskins, but expected to sit out Sunday with an injured left hamstring - after a career year in 2013, and he didn't re-sign Jeremy Maclin after a breakout season in 2014. "Normally when we play our best is when the ball gets spread around and gets kicked around to all the skill players," Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. "Balance is a good thing. As we go along here, I think the balls will get spread around."

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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia contributed to this report.

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Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY, OCT. 4 AND THEREAFTER - FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2015 file photo, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) passes the ball against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. It's a common lament heard around the Washington Redskins these days: The team is simply not coming up with big plays _ the forced turnover, the long touchdown pass, the momentum-swingers that can make a difference and mask other problems. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File) The Associated Press

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY, OCT. 4 AND THEREAFTER - FILE - In this photo taken Sept. 20, 2015, Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) is stopped by St. Louis Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (20) and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md. It's a common lament heard around the Washington Redskins these days: The team is simply not coming up with big plays _ the forced turnover, the long touchdown pass, the momentum-swingers that can make a difference and mask other problems. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) The Associated Press

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY, OCT. 4 AND THEREAFTER - FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2015 file photo, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) is tackled at the goal line by New York Jets defensive back Buster Skrine (41) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. It's a common lament heard around the Washington Redskins these days: The team is simply not coming up with big plays _ the forced turnover, the long touchdown pass, the momentum-swingers that can make a difference and mask other problems. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File) The Associated Press

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY, OCT. 4 AND THEREAFTER - In this photo taken Sept. 30, 2015, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly speaks with members of the media at the NFL football team's practice facility in Philadelphia. It's a common lament heard around the Washington Redskins these days: The team is simply not coming up with big plays _ the forced turnover, the long touchdown pass, the momentum-swingers that can make a difference and mask other problems. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) The Associated Press

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