Sep 24, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
LANDOVER. Md. — Kirk Cousins passed for 365 yards and three touchdowns, running back Chris Thompson had 150 yards receiving and a touchdown, and the Washington Redskins posted a convincing 27-10 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday night.
Washington (2-1) outgained Oakland 472 yards to 128, and Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw his first two interceptions of the season.
Oakland (2-1) was 0-for-11 on third downs, and its points came after two fumbles by the Redskins deep in their own end.
Thompson also rushed eight times for 38 yards. Tight end Vernon Davis and wide receiver Josh Doctson had touchdown catches for Washington.
Cousins, after struggling in the first two games, completed 25 of 30 passes without an interception. He was without his starting running back (Rob Kelley) and tight end (Jordan Reed.)
Carr finished 19 of 31 for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Washington turned a 14-0 halftime advantage into a 21-0 cushion on the opening drive of the third quarter.
On first down from his 48, Cousins threw long down the right sideline. Oakland cornerback David Amerson had position, but Doctson outjumped him, made the catch at the 5-yard-line and scored on his first reception of the season.
Oakland’s lifeless offense caught a break when Washington’s Jamison Crowder muffed a punt and the Raiders recovered at the Redskins 18-yard line. Two plays later, Carr hit tight end Jared Cook on a crossing route for a 21-yard touchdown, and Oakland was within 21-7 with 3:52 left in the third quarter.
The momentum appeared to be turning as Washington then faced third-and-19 from its 16. However, Cousins threw short to his left to Thompson, who broke a tackle, got free and ran 74 yards to the Oakland 10.
The Redskins settled for a 23-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Washington coughed it up again when linebacker Cory James’ hit forced a Samaje Perine fumble. Oakland recovered at the 12, but despite a first-and-goal from the 4 after a penalty, settled for a field goal and trailed 24-10 with 11:54 remaining.
Hopkins made a 28-yard field goal to boost the advantage to 27-10 with 6:02 remaining.
The Redskins turned two Carr interceptions into 14 first-half points.
On the game’s first drive, Carr threw long on second-and-7 from his own 28 and his pass was intercepted by safety Montae Nicholson at the Washington 33. It was Oakland’s first turnover of the season.
Cousins led the Redskins 67 yards in eight plays, capping the drive with a 22-yard score to Thompson, who — wide open on an Oakland blitz — caught the pass around the 18 and scampered down the left sideline for his fourth touchdown of the season.
Early in the second quarter, Washington cornerback Kendall Fuller came down with a Carr pass at the Redskins 28.
Cousins went 6 of 6 on an 11-play drive. This time, he found Davis just behind the defender in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown with 3:48 left before intermission.
Oakland was 0 of 5 on third down in the half and outgained 223-47.
Cousins was 17 of 19 for 173 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in two quarters.
NOTES: In addition to RB Rob Kelley (rib) and TE Jordan Reed (rib/sternum), the Redskins were without starting LB Mason Foster (shoulder). … With his first-quarter scoring pass to RB Chris Thompson, Kirk Cousins became the sixth Redskins quarterback to throw at least 75 touchdown passes with the team. … The last time Oakland QB Derek Carr had multiple interceptions in a game was Dec. 20, 2015, against the Green Bay Packers. … The Redskins hosted the Raiders for the first time since 2005.
