Asked Monday why he chose repeatedly to throw rather than run when just one yard was needed, Coach Jay Gruden cited three factors: The imposing size of the Ravens’ defensive front; the fact that Jones had been stopped on one of two fourth-and-one carries; and what coaches sized up as advantageous opportunities for quick, short throws.

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Cousins misfired on at least two of those occasions.

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“We had a couple good looks in the passing game,” Gruden explained. “The first one, we had Matt [Jones] in the flat, and Kirk opted to throw it to Jordan Reed, and we missed him. And then the second one, we had Jordan on a little roll right pass and Kirk missed the throw and usually makes that throw.”

On the final third-and-one pass play, Cousins likely averted calamity by scooping up a fumbled ball that had been snapped prematurely and pitching it to wide receiver DeSean Jackson. While incomplete, the improvised play was far better than a turnover or sack.

“It’s a very big, strong defensive front,” Gruden added, explaining the pass-heavy play-calling. “We thought that we could outflank them to the flat a couple of times. We had the looks that we wanted; we just didn’t execute properly.”

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Jones was stopped for no gain on the fourth-and-one on Baltimore’s 20, with just 90 seconds before the end of the first half, in which the Redskins offense was held scoreless. Jones gained just eight yards on his seven carries prior to halftime (1.1 yard average), with no run longer than three yards.

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In the second half, Gruden gave rookie Robert Kelley (6-0, 228) a chance and liked the result, with Kelley gaining 18 yards on his three carries. Gruden indicated Jones and Kelley will split time going forward.