Back-up QB Cousins leads Redskins to victory over Ravens

LANDOVER, Maryland (Reuters) - The Washington Redskins earned territorial bragging rights and continued their late-season playoff push by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31-28 in overtime on Sunday behind the dramatic late-game heroics of rookie backup quarterback Kirk Cousins.

A 34-yard field goal by Kai Forbath, set up by Richard Crawford's 64-yard punt return, ended the game and ignited the FedEx Field crowd of 81,178 into a frenzy.

Cousins, subbing for injured quarterback Robert Griffin III, threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon with 29 seconds left in regulation and ran for the two-point conversion to force overtime.

The triumph, the Washington's fourth straight, lifted the Redskins' record to 7-6 and on the heels of the front-running New York Giants (7-5) in the NFC East.

Griffin, the Redskins' rookie sensation, completed 15 of 26 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown but was harassed much of the day by the Ravens defensive front.

He suffered a right knee sprain when being tackled by Ravens tackle Haloti Ngata with 1:56 left in the fourth quarter. The extent of the injury was not immediately known.

Cousins completed both of his passing attempts for 26 yards.

Baltimore (9-4) still leads the AFC North but has not yet clinched a playoff spot.

Just 40 miles (64km) separate the cities of Baltimore and Washington though the two teams have not played since 2008 when the Ravens beat the visiting Redskins 24-10.

(Editing by Gene Cherry)