Three takeaways from Washington Football Team’s 31-17 Week 4 loss
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – The defense has pieces, but needs the pass rush to be complete
All things considered, losing by 14 to the Baltimore Ravens wasn’t the worst-case scenario for the Washington Football Team. In fact, this outcome was probably toward the middle of the spectrum in that regard.
Washington looked thoroughly outclassed for most of the game, as was expected, but they managed to put some good plays on tape, and scored little victories here and there. One of the more underrated victories was their occasional success in making Lamar Jackson uncomfortable by taking away his dimension as a runner.
On more than one occasion, the Washington Football Team managed to force Baltimore’s X-factor into making suspect passes. Kendall Fuller picked off Jackson as a result, and there were a couple times where a lack of comfort caused Jackson to miss some throws and end offensive drives.
Still, had Washington been able to make Jackson uncomfortable with more consistency, and better contain him, they could have had more success. The defense clearly has positive pieces in place, and as much as the second and third levels may have question marks, it’s still a good unit overall. But even so, it isn’t complete without a pass rushing group that’s at full strength.
Missing Chase Young off the edge was noticeable, and missing Matt Ioannidis as a pass rushing specialist will continue to hurt. But if someone can step up there — Tim Settle had a sack in Ioannidis’ place — and if Young can get back to full health, Washington’s defense could regain some form.