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Washington Football Team: Five observations at the halfway point

By Jacob Troutman

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 08: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team plays against the New York Giants at FedExField on November 8, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 08: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team plays against the New York Giants at FedExField on November 8, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Nov 8, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) runs past New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23), Giants cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27), and Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) en route to a touchdown in. The fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) runs past New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23), Giants cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27), and Giants outside linebacker David Mayo (55) en route to a touchdown in. The fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Terry McLaurin is an elite receiver

Terry McLaurin finished his rookie year with 58 catches, 919 yards, and seven touchdowns in 14 games. In his first eight games in his second year, he has 50 catches, 692 yards, and three touchdowns. He is well on his way to shattering his catches and yards mark he set in his rookie year.

McLaurin was a welcomed surprise for the Washington Football Team in an otherwise forgetful 2019 season. However, there was still some concern as to whether or not Terry McLaurin could be a true No. 1 receiver. In his second year, he was supposed to get more attention and it would be a big test for McLaurin.

Through eight games, it is safe to say McLaurin has easily proven he is a true No. 1 in today’s NFL. Despite receiving much more attention due to a lackluster wide receiver room he has produced massive games. He is virtually uncoverable at times.

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McLaurin’s route running is superb. He can run every route. He can beat you on a screen after the catch; he can take a shallow cross or slant to the house; he can win on the dig or a corner route; he can beat you deep on a post or go route. He has been unstoppable in 2020.

He is great after the catch, proving to be one of the league’s best at getting yards after the catch. He also accounts for the most air yards from any player in the NFL. He is the huge portion of the Washington Football Team offense, becoming the only player that truly scares defenses, yet he still produces at an elite level.

And, McLaurin does this all while the Washington Football Team is still in the middle of a QB carousel. He was finally getting a rhythm with Dwayne Haskins, then Haskins gets benched. He was showing chemistry with Kyle Allen, then Kyle Allen gets injured mid-game and in comes Alex Smith, who has played a little over half of football since his gruesome 2018 injury.

It didn’t matter. McLaurin took a Smith pass to the house, for a 68-yard touchdown to cut the Giants’ lead to 23-20 in Week 9. About 47 of those were after the catch yards. McLaurin finished with seven catches, 115 yards, and a touchdown on the day and nearly sparked a Washington comeback.

It simply does not matter who is throwing McLaurin the ball. He will produce.

Dating back to his rookie debut, McLaurin has played with five different quarterbacks. He is not even done with his second season yet. It doesn’t matter for Terry though. He just produces. He is seventh in the NFL in receiving yards. The six in front of him either have stable quarterback rooms or have played one more game than he is, due to the bye week.

Terry is a star. He is elite. He is quickly growing into one of the games best receivers.

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