Washington Football Team slipping against superior competition, down 11

We all expected it to be a rout, but the Washington Football Team is trying desperately to avoid getting swept away by the Baltimore Ravens.

The two teams both came into Week 4 on the heels of a disappointing Week 3 loss, but one team lost in Week 3 to the Kansas City Chiefs, while the other team — the Washington Football Team — lost after carrying a fourth-quarter lead against the Cleveland Browns.

It was viewed as an important goal for Washington to get a win in Week 3, in large part due to the fact that the Washington Football Team would turn around to face the Super Bowl contending Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. Yes, Washington would return home to host John Harbaugh’s squad, but it would be no less daunting of a matchup.

Two quarters into the cross-town showdown, the battle between the Washington Football Team and the Baltimore Ravens has both aligned with expectations and defied expectations. There have been bright moments for Washington, but they’ve too often taken a step back after achieving initial goals. Thus, they predictably find themselves down at halftime. Baltimore leads Washington by a score of 21-10.

Washington’s defense started the game fairly well, all things considered; they didn’t look all too phased against Lamar Jackson. But the offense’s stalled start eventually allowed Jackson an opportunity to make more plays, and he did, scoring a 50-yard touchdown run to put Baltimore up 14-0.

Washington’s offense would respond at that point, with a scoring drive dominated by third-round rookie Antonio Gibson, and the defense would stop Baltimore on the ensuing Ravens drive. But a fake punt was ill-prepared for by the Washington Football Team, and allowed Baltimore to again get in the end zone.

Again, Washington has shown promising strides in certain areas, but also back-breaking inconsistency in other departments. Dwayne Haskins looks a little smoother and a little more confident this week, but turnovers continue to trickle in — this time courtesy of J.D. McKissic — and the team’s special teams unit continues to deliver crushing blows to its own sideline.

The Washington Football Team may have stumbled across a blueprint for success in the first half: Force Lamar Jackson to throw and don’t make mistakes. Kendall Fuller’s interception at the end of the half gave them hope. But the second half of that winning equation is proving especially difficult for a team that still looks just three weeks old. Can they grow in half No. 2?