Green Bay Packers vs Washington Redskins recap: Gruden's risk taking pays off

LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden wasn't afraid to gamble in Sunday night's 42-24 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Gruden went for it on fourth-and-1 on his own side of the field in the fourth quarter and tried for two points after two Washington touchdowns.

Leading 29-24 midway through the fourth quarter, Gruden opted to go for it from the Washington 41. A Kirk Cousins' keeper produced the first down and, three plays later, Cousins found Jamison Crowder for 53 yards to the Green Bay 1-yard line. Robert Kelley bulled in to make it 35-24.

"The fourth-and-1 was pretty simple," Gruden said. "It was half a yard and the wind was pretty strong in our face. Thought our offensive line was getting pretty good movement (and) we'd get half a yard with the quarterback sneak play."

Going for two wasn't as successful. After a touchdown late in the first half, rather than kick into the wind on a day when NFL kickers had already missed 11 extra points, the Redskins went for two but Kelley was stopped.

"Going for two was, you know, you saw the wind," Gruden told reporters after the game. "That's why."

A second attempt, at the other end of the field in the third quarter, also failed. Gruden's theory was given credence however, when kicker Dustin Hopkins later missed an extra point into the wind.

--A bright spot in the Packers fourth straight loss was the return of tight end Jared Cook, who hadn't played since Week 3 due to an ankle injury.

Cook caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, though his late fumble sealed the loss.

"Big plays. We had some good matchups and opportunities with Jared and he cashed it," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think he did a great job. He just has to take care of the ball in the fourth quarter."

Cook's longest catch of the night was 47-yarder when he got behind his defender.

"He's a tough matchup," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "He's just getting going. It's good to see him healthy and he was a big contributor for us today."

--Cousins finished the game with a 145.8 passer rating, his season high. He set a team record with his 17th career 300-yard passing game (375), including post-season.

--Rodgers threw for 351 yards, his 46th 300-yard game. It was his 75th game without an interception and 71st with a 100-plus passer rating (115).

--The Redskins finished with two 100-yard receivers (Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder) and a 100-yard rusher (Robert Kelley) for the first time since Sept. 12, 1999 when receivers Michael Westbrook and Albert Kelly, along with running back Stephen Davis, accomplished it.