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Washington Football Team: Ron Rivera’s case for Coach of the Year

By Jason Boleman

Nov 22, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera on the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera on the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) and defensive tackle Tim Settle (97) and defensive end Ryan Kerrigan (91) and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) celebrate a stop against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) and defensive tackle Tim Settle (97) and defensive end Ryan Kerrigan (91) and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) celebrate a stop against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive and offensive success

The hallmark of Rivera’s Washington team is its defense, which is living up to the potential that having several first-round picks brings. Washington ranks fourth in the NFL in total yards allowed, averaging 310.9 yards allowed per game. Washington also ranks fourth in passing yards allowed per game and is eighth in points allowed per game.

At an individual level, rookie defensive end Chase Young is living up to the expectations of being the second overall pick. Young has tallied 4.5 sacks and 29 total tackles in 11 games played. On Monday, Young stopped Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. on fourth-and-goal from inside the one-yard line, which allowed Washington to maintain a manageable deficit.

The defensive player grabbing the headlines this week is second-year player Montez Sweat. Sweat broke up a Ben Roethlisberger pass in the final two minutes of the game, leading to a game-clinching Jon Bostic interception. Sweat leads the team with six sacks and ranks third in Washington with five passes defended.

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On the offensive side of the ball, Rivera has managed the players on his team exceptionally well. Rivera has built the offense to showcase the talents of its two brightest stars: wide receiver Terry McLaurin and rookie running back Antonio Gibson.

Gibson, who took over the lead running back role after Washington let Adrian Peterson go in early September, has exceeded expectations. With 11 rushing touchdowns, Gibson ranks third in the NFL and is just two scores short of Alfred Morris’ rookie franchise record.

McLaurin, meanwhile, has continued the red-hot start to his career. The second-year man out of Ohio State is eighth in the league with 977 receiving yards and has scored three times despite playing with three different quarterbacks.

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