Washington Football Team Reality Checks: Week 11 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Football Team in action against Logan Ryan #23 of the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated Washington 20-19. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Football Team in action against Logan Ryan #23 of the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated Washington 20-19. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the ball over Detroit Lions defensive tackle John Penisini (91) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the ball over Detroit Lions defensive tackle John Penisini (91) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Reality Is, the offense is due for a scoring breakout.

Over the last four weeks, this offense has averaged over 400 yards, but have still not scored 30 points in any game this season. Alex Smith picked up where Kyle Allen left off in third-down efficiency and has thrown for over 300 yards in two straight weeks for the first time in his career.

However, the team has gotten increasingly creative over the last few weeks at finding ways to miss out on points. Fumbles, interceptions, penalties, missed field goals, 14+ yard sacks, you name it. The only thing they haven’t tried recently is a failed fourth-down conversion.

Ultimately, I fully expect this team to still struggle in the red-zone, but there will be a breakout scoring week sometime in the next few weeks when they manage to avoid significant mistakes in plus territory because they are moving the ball with consistency and efficiency.

My Prediction: Expect the true breakout offensive performance to come against a team nobody expects, not against the Bengals or Cowboys, though it wouldn’t be a shock to see them get into a shootout against Cincinnati.