Washington Redskins: Kirk Cousins must be great in Carolina

The Washington Redskins will take their 4-5 record on the road this weekend, when they square off against the 9-0, conference leading Carolina Panthers. Much of the success that the Panthers have had up until this point can be attributed to their superstar quarterback Cam Newton, and while he deserves all of the praise that he receives, I believe that Carolina’s defensive unit is just as important.

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As it stands right now, Carolina’s defense is as good as any in the pass-protection department, as they are currently tied for the league lead in interceptions with 14. Their interception total is impressive and it has undoubtedly played a role in the success that they have had this season. While the Panthers’ defense is certainly capable of garnering turnovers, it’s not all that they’re able to do in pass coverage.

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Carolina is also adept at limiting the amount of yards that their opposition is able to gain. The unit has allowed a total of 2,111 passing yards this season, or just 234.6 per game. That puts the Panthers just outside of the top ten – they currently possess the eleventh best passing defense in the league.

A big reason for Carolina’s success against the pass is cornerback Josh Norman, a player that has come into his own this season. The 6-0, 203 pound defensive back has notched four interceptions this season, that’s good for second best in the league. Norman is also responsible for 18 pass deflections, which puts him at second overall in that category, too.

Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) reacts in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

While Norman’s ability to deflect passes and secure interceptions is impressive, it’s what he does with those interceptions that makes him so dangerous. The fourth-year corner has managed to take two turnovers the other way for six. A cornerback that’s able to blanket receivers, disrupt passes, and score defensive touchdowns is always dangerous, and Josh Norman is no different.

If Norman and company are able to force Kirk Cousins into bad passes and grab an interception or two on the day, it’s highly unlikely that the Washington Redskins will walk out of Carolina with a win. I say this because in eight out of nine games this season, the Panthers have forced at least one interception.

The Russell Wilson led Seahawks are the only team to face the Carolina Panthers and not throw an interception. On the day, Wilson was 18 of 30 for 241 yards and a touchdown. His passing totals left Seattle just shy of a victory and, because of that, I believe that Cousins is going to have to play even better than Wilson did.

Kirk Cousins needs to be nearly perfect

He’ll have to be willing to take shots and make big plays to win, but he can’t put himself and the rest of the team in a bad situation in the process. Cousins will have to take calculated risks against the Panthers and their strong passing defense. I foresee him having to throw multiple touchdowns to win the contest, and he’ll have to do so without throwing interceptions if the Redskins are to win.

Washington is 0-5 in games that Cousins throws an interception, and 4-0 in games that he doesn’t.

I say that because Washington is 0-5 in games that Cousins throws an interception, and 4-0 in games that he doesn’t. If he’s able to put together a strong, pickless effort against the Panthers, there’s a chance that the Redskins win this game.

It won’t be easy to do against a pass defense as strong as the Panthers’, but it’s not impossible. Cousins will likely have to drop back 40-plus times and throw two or more touchdowns without any interceptions to win the contest. And while the Panthers sport one of the best defensive units in the NFL, I believe that Washington is capable of moving the football against them.

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I’m not saying that because of their performance against the New Orleans Saints last week, but because of the type of player that I believe Cousins is at this point in his career. I get the impression that he’s the the type of player that gets hot, and capitalizes on high morale and recent success.

The fact that Captain Kirk has been playing strongly bodes well for him and the team moving forward. If he’s able ride the momentum from this recently found success, Cousins and company might be able to sneak out of Carolina with an upset victory.