There were some good moments and some bad. It was another game in the 2020 Washington Football Team season.
Like most games in Ron Rivera’s first season, Washington fell behind early: entering the half down 20-3 after losing the starting quarterback to injury. But there was some fight and a chance to win the game late before the final nails were slammed into their coffin with two terrible turnovers in a 23-20 defeat to the New York Giants.
Overall, Jack Del Rio’s defense was decent, but unspectacular and did not do enough to help out the shorthanded offense. And Scott Turner’s offense was a one-dimensional unit that relies on the one good player (wide receiver Terry McLaurin) to move the ball.
Here is who played and who didn’t for the 2-6 Washington Football Team in Week 9:
Offense: 54 total plays
Quarterback and Offensive Line:
Kyle Allen - 10 (19%)
Alex Smith - 44 (81%)
Cornelius Lucas - 54 (100%)
Wes Schweitzer - 54 (100%)
Chase Roullier - 54 (100%)
Brandon Scherff - 54 (100%)
Morgan Moses - 54 (100%)
For the second time this season, Kyle Allen left the game due to brutal-looking injury and veteran Alex Smith replaced him. The offensive line struggled to open up any running room and did so-so in pass protection and while Smith was sacked twice, he lacks escapability. A more mobile QB would have fared better. Smith had 325 yards passing on 32 attempts and Allen added 62 yards on seven passes. But the veteran (and now Washington starter) had three costly interceptions. Tackle Geron Christian Sr. was inactive.
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Running Backs:
J.D. McKissic - 45 (83%)
Antonio Gibson - 25 (46%)
Peyton Barber - 1 (2%)
Two games ago in New York, Washington running backs managed 78 yards on 21 carries. They didn't get that same opportunity Sunday: 9 carries for 37 yards were split between Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic. Gibson had a big gain on his first play before a comical fumble. The breakdown: five carries in the first half and four in the second. But the backs were active in the passing game: McKissic was targeted a game-high 14 times (nine catches for 65 yards) and Gibson had three receptions for 35 yards when targeted. It was clear: Smith liked the checkdown.
Wide Receivers:
Terry McLaurin - 53 (98%)
Cam Sims - 40 (73%)
Isaiah Wright - 16 (30%)
Steven Sims Jr. - 16 (30%)
Jeff Badet - 13 (24%)
Terry McLaurin had seven catches for 115 yards (most of that coming on a 68-yard touchdown) and Cam Sims looked like a revelation hauling in three balls and going for 110 yards. McLaurin looks like a Pro Bowl talent and a true leader on the field. Dontrelle Inman was inactive.
Tight Ends:
Logan Thomas - 54 (100%)
Jeremy Sprinkle - 5 (9%)
Temarrick Hemingway - 1 (2%)
In some games, Washington likes multiple tight end looks, in other games, it is just the Logan Thomas show. Sunday it was just Thomas, who had three catches for 28 yards on six targets. There really isn’t much to say about this group: They need more talent at the position.
Defense: 77 total plays
Defensive Line:
Chase Young - 64 (83%)
Daron Payne - 63 (82%)
Jon Allen - 59 (77%)
Montez Sweat - 44 (57%)
Tim Settle - 25 (32%)
Ryan Kerrigan - 29 (38%)
Ryan Anderson - 15 (19%)
James Smith-Williams - 11 (14%)
The key to this team is the defense and the key to the defense is the linemen. If they don't make a big impact, the team is going to struggle. The Giants steamrolled this squad for 166 yards on 35 carries with Alfred Morris going for 7.4 yards per attempt on nine carries. Overall, it was a terrible performance that flies under the radar because of the situation at quarterback. Ryan Kerrigan, still on the team, did well in limited snaps: drew a holding penalty and split a sack with Jon Allen. Chase Young and Tim Settle each had one sack for their only tackles in the game.
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Linebackers:
Jon Bostic - 77 (100%)
Cole Holcomb - 69 (90%)
Kevin Pierre-Louis - 37 (48%)
Shaun Dion Hamilton - 7 (9%)
Jon Bostic and Cole Holcomb each had seven tackles, but there wasn't much else. The Giants were able to run right over this unit, which was unable to force a turnover.
Secondary:
S Deshazor Everett - 77 (100%)
S Kamren Curl - 77 (100%)
CB Kendall Fuller - 77 (100%)
CB Ronald Darby - 77 (100%)
CB Jimmy Moreland - 39 (51%)
The first game for Washington without Landon Collins in the secondary and Kamren Curl stepped up in a big way. He led the team with 11 tackles (six solos) and had a big sack of Giants QB Daniel Jones. Deshazor Everett added seven solo tackles. Overall, it was unremarkable. And while allowing just 23 points is good, the defense didn’t do enough to overcome the offense’s numerous mistakes. Fabian Moreau did not feature on defense.
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