Washington Football Team: Three bold predictions vs. Steelers
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – Antonio Gibson will have another big day
This won’t be by virtue of the Steelers’ defense, but rather out of necessity. Pittsburgh’s defense is one of the best in the league, both against the run and the pass, so regardless of the mode of yardage gain, it will be tough for the Washington Football Team to move the ball and generate momentum.
But with the Giants having unexpectedly beaten the Seattle Seahawks this week, and with Washington’s fate in the NFC East now no longer under their control, Washington needs to do everything they can to keep the gap tight. A win against Pittsburgh isn’t realistic, but mixing things up a bit could give them a better chance.
In my opinion, there’s never been a more crucial week to unleash Antonio Gibson as a receiver. We know he’s a talented runner at this point; he’s been one of the most productive backs in the NFL off talent alone. But he’s also a talented receiver, with downfield receiving ability in addition to his ability out of the backfield.
People forget that Gibson actually had more catches than runs in his final collegiate season, and he averaged around 20 yards per catch. Gibson wasn’t a traditional running back prospect; he moved all around the field, and used his explosiveness to find seams at each level. If he could operate with more freedom, Gibson’s potential could legitimately skyrocket.
We haven’t seen that downfield ability yet this year, because Scott Turner hasn’t used Gibson that way. Today, Washington might just be able to catch Pittsburgh off guard by unleashing that aspect of Gibson’s game. His efficiency as a runner might be lower, but if Gibson can fire off a few big plays down the field, it could help tip the balance.