Washington Football Team: Studs and duds from Week 2 loss to Cardinals

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 20: Wide receiver Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Football Team carries the football after a reception past middle linebacker Jordan Hicks #58 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Washington Football Team 30-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Stud 1: WR Terry McLaurin

The Washington offense didn’t inspire a ton of hope on Sunday, but there were at least a couple of bright spots. None, however, were brighter than Terry McLaurin.

McLaurin posted a seven-catch day for Washington and rattled off 125 yards and a touchdown. He was just as good, if not better, than those numbers indicate.

In my immediate takeaways from the game, I said that McLaurin established himself as Washington’s best offensive player by a wide margin. Here’s what McLaurin did to earn that accolade in Week 2.

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"On multiple occasions, McLaurin was able to catch a short pass and turn it into a big gain. He weaved through the Cardinals defenders using his solid athleticism, elusiveness, and speed and that made him a yards after the catch threat. On his touchdown, McLaurin was able to beat Patrick Peterson on the inside with his excellent route running and that gave Haskins plenty of room to see him. After catching it, McLaurin smoothly accelerated toward the open space, took the proper angle to avoid all of the Arizona defenders on the play, and that’s how he was able to score. McLaurin simply looked great on Sunday. He wasn’t in an easy matchup and he didn’t get a lot of help from his quarterback early or the rest of his supporting cast. But he still posted a 100-yard game and was the second-best receiver on the field as a whole."

And really, the nod as the second-best receiver on the field is more of a compliment to DeAndre Hopkins than a knock on McLaurin.

If Washington is going to move the ball on offense this year, they’re going to need McLaurin to continue to be a stud. He is their only consistent receiving weapon and in the second half when he did a good chunk of his damage, the team was able to sustain drives.

Moving forward, Washington should try to get the ball to McLaurin early and often. They’re simply better when he is ripping off chunk gains, as evidenced by their 15-10 scoring margin in the second half.

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