Five positives and negatives for Washington Football Team vs. Lions

Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) makes a catch against Detroit Lions cornerback Mike Ford (38) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) makes a catch against Detroit Lions cornerback Mike Ford (38) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Cam Sims (89) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (30) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team wide receiver Cam Sims (89) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (30) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Positive 2

Cam Sims was a positive once again.  Terry McLaurin is almost always a positive and this week is no different.  Instead of highlighting both receivers separately as we did last week, let’s combine our talk about the positive impacts they had on Sunday.

Is it too early to anoint Sims as a budding star in this offense?  Possibly, but the last two weeks have been a pleasant surprise for fans and his potential could blossom in the next seven games.  He had four catches for 54 yards against Detroit, but Sims has the unique ability to gain an extra 10 or 20 yards after most receptions.

Terry McLaurin is on pace for 101 receptions and 1,399 yards in 2020 if he can play in all 16 games and remain injury-free.  The former Ohio State standout hauled in seven passes for 95 yards on Sunday, but he did fumble the ball late in the second quarter.  This was his first turnover as a WFTer, but a replay demonstrated that the call on the field was controversial.

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McLaurin added a quick 27 yard run in the first half on a fast-developing jet sweep.  This is just one more tool in his lethal arsenal.

Sims and McLaurin could be a potent double punch for any defense during the final weeks of 2020.  They were solid positives against the Lions.

Negative 2

Dustin Hopkins is certainly not a fan favorite of late.  His kicking this season has been called into question nearly every week and the latest game adds to this misery.  Is the team ready to move onon from Hopkins after his latest miss halfway through the second quarter?  The 43-yard attempt sailed wide right – as in right toward Lake St. Clair on the Canadian border.  It wasn’t even close.

Hopkins is still with the team at this moment, but you could be hearing differently when this article is published.  He has been dealing with an injury lately and the team should’ve moved him to the inactive list before Sunday’s game.

The best guess is that he stays with the team and this is based on one noteworthy item – What else is out there?  His struggles are well documented this year and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the WFT sign an undrafted rookie next spring.