ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins came to FedEx Field on Thursday as the most popular athlete in the nation’s capital who doesn’t play for the National League East champion Washington Nationals.

Five turnovers — four interceptions and a fumble at his 24-yard line — later, Cousins left the stadium as shell-shocked as any of his teammates after a 45-14 beatdown by the New York Giants with whom the Redskins had been tied for third in the NFC East at 1-2.

“I was trying to get everything back in one play and you can’t do that,” Cousins said after being pick-pocketed by the previously poor Giants defense. “I was trying to force things and trying to do too much and just didn’t stay true to my reads and stay patient.”

Washington fans aren’t known for their patience with quarterbacks. Just ask Robert Griffin III, the toast of the town when he led the Redskins to the NFC East title while winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Griffin had a shaky second season and was off to a similar start this year when he dislocated his left ankle in the first quarter of the home opener against Jacksonville. Enter Cousins, who sparkled in that day’s triumph and threw for 427 yards in the subsequent 37-34 loss at Philadelphia.

But almost as fast as the freakishly athletic Griffin was brushed aside in popular opinion and pocket passer Cousins was anointed as the right quarterback for new coach Jay Gruden’s offense, the latter’s poor game against the Giants has some wondering if either is the correct choice.

Of course, it’s way too early to decide about either third-year man, especially as Griffin rehabs and Cousins adapts to a new offense. Gruden said Cousins stared down his target on two of the picks, made a poor throw on another and didn’t see the defender on the fourth.

“Young guys playing the position at this level will tend to make mistakes from time to time,” said Gruden, a star quarterback in the Arena League. “(Kirk) hasn’t played a lot of football in the NFL. He started (three) games last year and this (was) his second one this year. One of the biggest traits you have to have as a quarterback, you’ve got to be mentally tough.

“You’re going to have some … rocky throws, rocky performances, and the great ones will bounce back.”

Cousins, who entered the Giants’ game with a 105.8 passer rating but posted a 53.0 rating against them to slide that number to 87.4, has the toughest possible foe in his chance for redemption a week from Monday: reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle and its formidable secondary.