Redskins flustered over late-season collapse

Dec 11, 2017 - 2:36 AM CARSON, Calif. -- Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden and quarterback Kirk Cousins expressed their frustration over how poorly the team has played recently.

Gruden said the Redskins, who have been outscored 68-27 in their last two games, including last week's 38-14 loss to Dallas, are faltering in several ways.

"Right now we have problems in lots of areas," Gruden said. "I never thought we'd get beat like this two weeks in a row. We need to figure out a way to play better these next three weeks."

The Redskins are missing key players to injuries at many positions. Cousins denied the opportunity to use that as an excuse for the team's 30-13 loss Sunday, and indicated that the Redskins' problems can be attributed to more than just a shorthanded roster.

"I hesitate to make this loss about injuries," Cousins said.

Washington has a home game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

--Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers' 319 passing yards Sunday moved the 14-year veteran to No. 9 in NFL career passing yards with 49,444, leapfrogging Warren Moon.

Rivers has surpassed 3,000 passing yards for 12 consecutive seasons.

He also has thrown for 300 or more yards in five games this season and in 55 games in his career.

--The 30-13 win over Washington on Sunday was the Chargers' second-highest scoring output this season. They rolled up 54 in a home win over Buffalo on Nov. 19.

--Chargers probable Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates had no catches Sunday, his third game this season without a reception. He has 19 receptions this season. Gates had 53 receptions last season; his lowest season total is the 24 catches he had in his rookie season of 2003.

Los Angeles wide receiver Keenan Allen's six receptions Sunday give him 84 for the season, a career high for the fifth-year player.

--The Chargers' defense is best known for its pass-rushing tandem of defensive ends Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said Ingram and Bosa, though, have developed a versatility that has gone unappreciated.

"They've made some adjustments," Lynn said. "Those guys, the pass rushers, are playing run techniques, too. They're very unselfish and you can see it."

--Los Angeles has been relatively injury-free this season compared to the past two years. The so-far, so-good news there continued Sunday, although there were a couple of scares. Los Angeles left tackle Russell Okung injured his right knee in the first quarter, limped gingerly off the field but later returned, although his mobility appeared compromised.

Also, linebacker Denzel Perryman, who missed the first few games of this season after ankle surgery, appeared to tweak an ankle Sunday but soon got up and jogged off the field.

--Redskins linebacker Chris Carter suffered an ankle injury that during on-field treatment was placed in an air cast. Washington kick returner Byron Marshall injured a hamstring in the first quarter and did not return.