Washington Football Team: Antonio Gibson, it’s time to Put up your Dukes

One year ago, Antonio Gibson was somewhat an afterthought on a loaded  Memphis Tigers offense. Now, Gibson is blossoming into the feature back for the Washington Football Team.

There are no style points in the National Football League. If there were, Washington would have received none for their 20-9 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Had it not been for miscues by the Bengals’ offense, missed kicks, and a devastating knee injury to Joe Burrow, the Football Team would have definitely taken their eight loss on the season.

Fortunately for Washington, the defense caught a break in the second half, and rookie Antonio Gibson carried them to victory.

Gibson had a solid performance versus the Cincinnati, with 16 rushes for 94 yards. Eighty-one of those yards came in the second half as Washington was able to take advantage of the Bengals porous rush defense. In Gibson’s first outing versus the Dallas Cowboys, Gibson had a big day with 20 carries, 128 yards, and a touchdown.

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So far in 2020, Antonio Gibson has been a pleasant surprise for the Washington Football Team. Gibson leads all rookie running backs in the NFL with eight rushing touchdowns. Gibson also leads Washington in rushing attempts, (119) yards, (530), and yards per game (53.0). According to Pro Football Focus, Antonio Gibson is the 11th-rated running back in the league.

In games versus Baltimore, Dallas, and Cincinnati, Antonio Gibson amassed at least 100 total yards and three rushing touchdowns.

Other than Terry McLaurin, Washington lacks that true offensive threat. However, in limited action so far this season, Antonio Gibson has already developed into the second-best player on Washington’s offense. For that reason alone, Gibson should be featured more in the backfield.

After an impressive opening day win versus Philadelphia, Washington fumbled twice in eight plays and lost 30-15 to Arizona the following week. After Washington’s most complete game of the season versus Dallas, they committed five turnovers after their bye week in a 23-20 loss to the New York Giants.

Although Washington is coming off of their least impressive win of the season, they have a chance to pick up a win before a tough three-game stretch that includes the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.

In all honesty, the Washington Football Team isn’t good enough to win consecutive games. Let alone beat the same opponent twice in the same season. Washington has lost their past nine games on the road, and is1-8 all-time against Dallas on Thanksgiving. After the sudden and tragic loss of strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul, the Cowboys will undoubtedly be motivated to play hard.

At 3-7, Dallas is very much alive as well in the NFC East race and has been playing better in recent weeks. Dallas gave the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers a scare with Garrett Gilbert at the helm and ended the Vikings’ three-game winning streak on the road this past Sunday.

If Washington is to string together consecutive wins for the first time this season and sweep the Dallas Cowboys, they will need a big day from rookie running back Antonio Gibson. There simply is no way around that.