Instant reactions to the Washington Football Team’s 20-19 loss to the New York Giants

Reactions 1-5

1. The coaching decisions. I disagreed with both of Ron Rivera’s bold calls. Accepting the running into the kicker penalty in the first half didn’t make sense to me. He traded giving the Giants the ball on their own 1 while having all three timeouts, for a fourth-and-4 around midfield. I would refuse that penalty every time. But Rivera didn’t and he was rewarded. Results matter. Good call.

On the other hand, I would not have gone for two at the end. Actually, I think that was a more defensible decision than the punt penalty call. But 2-point conversion success rate in the NFL is under 50 percent in the past five years, and when you don’t have a dynamic playmaker at QB or RB, I have to believe that rate is much lower.

But the main reason I would not have done it is that WFT was outplaying the Giants toward the end. If not for Kyle Allen’s fumble, WFT almost certainly would have won in regulation. They probably would have won had the game gone to overtime. (Besides – you don’t want to lose 20-19 to the Giants. Just ask Scott Norwood.)

2. Speaking of the Allen fumble. Obviously a terrible, terrible play. WFT was in control of the game at this point. He also made a very bad throw on his first-half interception.

But Kyle Allen also made several very good throws. Both TD passes were fine passes. A short third-down conversion to Dontrelle Inman may have been his best play of the day, avoiding the rush and making a pinpoint throw against his body.

Allen is never going to be a great QB. And he is going to make mistakes. But there’s no mystery as to why he is playing. He can make plays. Dwayne Haskins, for all his arm talent and college success, was not making plays. End of story.

3. They did not start off well, but by the second the half, the defense was beginning to take over. Young and Sweat get more attention, but the interior, even without Matt Ioannidis, is starting to show up. Jonathan Allen has been excellent all year. Tim Settle provides quality depth. And I don’t care what you PFF people say – I’m perfectly fine with what Daron Payne is doing out there.

4. Everett In for Apke. He had a couple of rough plays, but having a free safety who actually makes tackles is a big improvement, even if he can’t run a 4.3.

5. Good to see Cole Holcomb back. Made a nice tackle on a reverse. Didn’t show up too much more, but his speed should really help out Pierre-Louis and Bostic.