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Washington Football Team 2020 Reality Checks – Season Preview

By Tim Payne

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 22: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after throwing a pass for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 22: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after throwing a pass for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 24: Montez Sweat #90 of the Washington Football Team celebrates after a play against the Detroit Lions during the second half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 24: Montez Sweat #90 of the Washington Football Team celebrates after a play against the Detroit Lions during the second half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

1. Washington averages more points than last season

As bad as we all know the defense was last year, the Washington Football Team’s offense was even worse. Averaging just over 16 points per game, Jay Gruden’s unit just couldn’t manufacture points.

While most pundits are expecting a major leap defensively under Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio while the young offense sputters along, I actually expect some good things from the offense and am concerned about the secondary’s ability to limit opposing teams’ biggest plays. Plus, if the team is playing from behind, they should be better equipped to do so this year.

Reality Check: The inaugural (only?) season of the Washington Football Team will yield an offense that scores 20-plus points per game on average.

2. Young, Sweat and Kerrigan are best sack trio in NFL

People sleep on Montez Sweat. He’s going to be a beast this year. Add that to Kerrigan’s legendary consistency and the absolute Predator that Chase Young is, and the Washington Football trio will be the most prolific trifecta of sacks in the NFL. The interior of the line is stout and a major threat to passers as well, which means it will be difficult for opposing offenses to double Washington’s DE’s.

Reality Check: Book Young, Sweat, and Kerrigan for 29.5 sacks combined.

3.  Terry McLaurin elevates game, but…

Terry McLaurin having a solid, even excellent, season is probably my lock of the entire NFL season. He’s the perfect combination of talent, skill, and character to thrive for a long time in the NFL.

But, he’s also so dramatically the best weapon on the team, that he will face a lot of double-teams and brackets all season. The great ones overcome, and Scary Terry will still have a great season. But I don’t think he lights up the scoreboard a lot. I think he has more of a Pierre Garcon-esqe season than a DeSean Jackson-esqe season (More tough catches and 3rd down conversions than chunk plays and touchdowns).

Reality Check: Terry McLaurin goes for 1,187 yards and five touchdowns on 104 catches to lead the team in yards and catches. But Steven Sims ends up with seven touchdowns to lead the team in touchdown receptions.

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