Kirk Cousins began his stint Sunday as the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders at his own 7-yard line at Allegiant Stadium opposite the Miami Dolphins. Not the ideal field position. Not that it mattered to Cousins, who had more field to develop the rhythm with which he opened his 15th season.
“Being able to string long drives together is a sign of a mature offense,” he said.
Quarterback, too.
Cousins drove the Raiders 93 yards and capped the possession with a touchdown pass, the first of three in a 27-13 victory in his team debut. He finished it 21-of-30 passing 160 yards and three scores — the first to wide receiver Jack Bech and the second two to running back Ashton Jeanty — the 299th, 300th, and 301st of his NFL career.
He’s one of 15 quarterbacks to throw 300 touchdowns in the NFL, and his third touchdown toss gives him one more than Denver Broncos legend John Elway.
“It’s just a testament to trying to win the long game. Trying to have good habits over a long period of time,” said Cousins, who also threw two second-half interceptions. “I feel like it’s also a testament to the people I’ve been able to work with. The coaches. The players around me. Really grateful for all the people involved and being able to do that.”
Cousins was signed in the offseason for his poise, precision and preparation despite dwindling arm strength at 38. His savvy and know-how have him starting over prized rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who watched him build a 17-6 halftime lead without a completion down the field.
Without star tight end Brock Bowers to target, Cousins completed his first 10 passes — spraying strikes near the line of scrimmage to make for manageable downs and distances. He finished his first possession, a 16-play, 93-yard excursion, with a 15-yard scoring strike to Bech.
Said Cousins on the merit of meticulous drives: “That’s an important aspect. … I think it’s a conditioning thing. It’s being able to string plays together where we’re not going backwards. Not having negative plays or mental errors or penalties. … That’s a key part of playing winning football in this league.”
A subsequent second-quarter drive was capped by Jeanty’s first scoring connection with Cousins, who found him over the middle for a 13-yard score. He overthrew Bech on second down of the opening possession of the second half, but responded on the next drive with his second score Jeanty, a 13-yarder in the flat.
Then came the second interception, telegraphed late over the middle for Miami though intended for wideout Jalen Nailor. Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak noted the picks were “decisions that he’s got to have back” but said Cousins arrived “ready to play” against the Dolphins.
Added Kubiak: “That’s the nature of the position. That’s something we’re going to get fixed and cleaned up, but overall he played winning football.”
Cousins lamented the interceptions, proud as he was of the way the Raiders played.
“Certainly the turnovers are disappointing. Those are on me,” Cousins said. “There’s certainly some plays in the second half we’d love to have back so credit Miami’s defense for doing some good stuff. But we’ll learn from it and have some good meetings (Monday) to talk through it. But great to get our first win and to get with the guys and be able to celebrate.”
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
