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Washington Football Team: Five positives and negatives vs. Ravens

By Ken Johannesen

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 04: Offensive tackle Morgan Moses #76 of the Washington Football Team and kicker Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens take part in the coin toss before the start of their game at FedExField on October 04, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 04: Offensive tackle Morgan Moses #76 of the Washington Football Team and kicker Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens take part in the coin toss before the start of their game at FedExField on October 04, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Oct 4, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (15) in the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (15) in the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Positive and Negative No. 2

Positive No. 2

Welcome back, Kendall Fuller!  In case you didn’t know, Fuller had his best game since returning to Washington this past offseason.  Against the Ravens, he was a spark that was truly needed on a defense that has performed poorly over the last three weeks.  Fuller manufactured a game that was very timely on Sunday and it was a work of art.  How about two interceptions, two passes deflected, and a tackle?

The first interception, just before the first half ended, resulted in a field goal as time expired.  The second interception occurred late in the game and Washington quickly marched down the field to score one more touchdown.  That’s ten points coming from the interceptions that Fuller gifted to the offense.  Good things happen when the defense can give the offense a short field to work with.  Fuller was a major positive on Sunday.

Negative No. 2

Dustin Hopkins has been struggling somewhat in 2020, but he actually had a decent day against the Ravens.  So why should he fall in with the negatives this week?  Yes, he missed a 54-yard attempt on Sunday and many kickers will miss on occasion from more than 50 yards.  After the miss on Sunday, the Ravens took advantage of good field position and quickly marched to a touchdown.  While that is not squarely on the leg of Hopkins, it is something of a concern.

Hopkins beyond 50 yards is typically questionable.  Sometimes, very questionable.  Again, kickers are going to miss from long range, but Hopkins has missed from 48 yards and the aforementioned 54 yards this season.  His miss versus the Ravens cost Washington seven points – ten if you count the miss.  Since entering the league a few seasons ago, Hopkins is 11-22 from 50 yards or beyond.  It’s not disastrous, but it could be better.  It’s also a bit surprising after going 6-8 from 50 and beyond in 2018 and 2019.  Has the Dustin Hopkins of old returned or can he be the kicker of 2018 and 2019?  This is a negative in Week 4, but not a major concern – for now.

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