Washington Football Team: Studs and duds from Week 9 loss to Giants

Washington Football Team Dud: Washington’s run defense

Washington’s strength is supposed to be their front four. They have a top-tier defensive line in terms of rushing the passer and over the past few seasons, their run defense has been solid.

Against the Giants, they were supposed to be able to use their defensive line to their advantage. Instead, they were unable to despite a good matchup.

As our own Ian Cummings wrote in a piece after the game, the run defense was a massive issue for the team and they gave up far too many yards to subpar backs.

"On Sunday against an inconsistent, turnover-prone Giants offense, Washington’s defense failed to take advantage, and New York easily put up a sizable cushion which would last them the entire game. New York’s running game was particularly effective against the Washington Football Team. The team rushed for 166 total yards, with 135 of those yards split almost evenly between third-string back Wayne Gallman and midseason signing Alfred Morris. This was also against a below-average Giants interior line. Washington’s front seven was easily handled, and the unit may not be as vaunted as it’s been advertised to be."

That’s the best way to put it. The team’s defense was beat early and often by Gallman and Morris. For a defensive front that is supposed to be one of the best in football, that can’t happen. Perhaps it was poor game planning on Washington’s part or great game planning on the Giants’ part but either way, Washington has to look to stop the run better moving forward.