Riggo's Rag
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Grading Washington Football Team’s performance vs. Lions in Week 10

By Ken Johannesen

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 /
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Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera claps from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera claps from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 10 grades and evaluations

Offense

The offense was non-existent in the first half and Washington trailed by two touchdowns at halftime.  Mistakes by Alex Smith on a wide-open touchdown toss (potentially) and another field goal attempt that sailed wide right didn’t help at all.  Washington caught fire later in the third quarter and turned a three-touchdown deficit into a match race.

Costly miscues and a poor first half.  A superb effort in the second half that came up painfully short.  We can’t hand out two grades, but here is the one we can offer.

Grade: C

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Defense

The defense allowed some big rushing yardage in the first half and Detroit exploited that advantage with timely passes for scores and major chunks of green real estate.  The secondary played poorly in the first half, but the linebackers were a huge liability throughout the game.

Down the stretch, the defense tightened and was given substantial periods of rest as the offense dominated the last twenty minutes of the game.  However, the poor start doomed the overall efforts at the end.

Grade: C-

Special Teams

Tress Way placed one punt inside the 10-yard line and that short punt actually hurt his overall average, but he had a very good day.  Dustin Hopkins missed wide right on a 43-yard field goal, but redeemed himself later with two crucial kicks.  Danny Johnson produced a 46-yard kickoff return and helped to put Washington in scoring position.

Grade: B-

Coaching

The coaches had no answers in the first half.  They had answers in the second half.  It’s a maddening set of circumstances that repeats itself week after week.  One play call early in the first half showcased the running skills of Terry McLaurin.  The 27 yard gain was an impressively designed jet sweep.  The defense started poorly, but improved as the game progressed.

One good adjustment came on the defensive line.  After being gouged by the Detroit running backs for most of the game, the front four clamped down and helped to spur the comeback.

Grade: C

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