NFL: Washington Redskins defeat Cleveland Browns for fifth straight win

Kirk Cousins: made sure the Washington Redskins didn't slip up without Robert Griffin III

Kirk Cousins made sure the Washington Redskins didn't skip a beat without Robert Griffin III, throwing for 329 yards in their 38-21 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

The 'other' rookie quarterback at the Redskins, Cousins completed 26 of his 37 pass attempts to inspire his team to a fifth straight win since their bye, keeping them in the play-off picture.

He connected with Leonard Hankerson for a pair of touchdowns in his first career start in place of the injured Griffin, who was ruled out on Saturday night.

Alfred Morris rushed for two scores on the ground for Washington, the last of them finally putting paid to any hopes of a late comeback from Cleveland, and Evan Royster also added a rushing score.

Rookie Trent Richardson had a pair of TD runs for the Browns (5-9) but it wasn't enough to stop their three-game winning run coming to an end.

First-year quarterback Brandon Weeden struggled from the outset for the home team. He went 21 of 35 for 244 yards but was intercepted twice, both leading to Washington touchdowns.

There was a 69-yard touchdown throw to Travis Benjamin that got the Browns back within 10 in the final quarter, only for the Redskins to seal victory with Morris' second touchdown of the day.

Kai Forbath's 44-yard field goal put the Redskins ahead 10-7, meaning he has started his NFL career 15 of 15, after Cousins had hit Hankerson on a 54-yarder to cancel out Richardson's first TD.