Everything was clicking for the Washington Football Team on their opening drive. Until it all came screeching to a halt in the red zone.
After a tough run from Antonio Gibson set up second-and-two from the Detroit Lions’ 14-yard line, Washington went backward in embarrassing style.
The beginning of the end started with a failed reverse to J.D. McKissic when Alex Smith (yes, the Washington quarterback) failed to get a block on the backside.
It is hard to understand why Scott Turner has a play in which Smith (who is making his first start in nearly two years after sustaining a catastrophic leg injury) was tasked with making the block on the outside. The play resulted in a 10-yard loss and set up a third and long.
And on third down from the Lions 24, Smith took a terrible sack for a 14-yard loss.
That just can’t happen from an experienced quarterback to take Washington out of field goal range. This meant Washington’s opening drive of the game would result in no points for the ninth-straight game.
The Lions answered with a 92-yard touchdown drive with big plays on the ground.
And through the air.