1. He has been throwing downfield. Maybe not every drive, but there have been multiple downfield throws in each game so far. It hasn't been very effective, for a variety of reasons. It certainly gets harder to throw downfield when there is pressure coming up the middle on just about every passing down.
2. The point is, if he doesn't feel his receiver is open, he's usually doing the right thing by throwing it where it can't be intercepted.
Sometimes he's just been inaccurate (especially in the SD game), and he will need to do better, especially as defenses bring more pressure. I agree that he needs to play better. I don't think he played terrible, or fell apart, or that this game was an indication that he can't become a very good QB.