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Five positives and negatives for Washington Football Team vs. Steelers

By Ken Johannesen

Dec 7, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Avery Williamson (51) chases during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Washington won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Avery Williamson (51) chases during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Washington won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 07: Logan Thomas #82 of the Washington Football Team catches a pass against Cameron Sutton #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of their game at Heinz Field on December 07, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 07: Logan Thomas #82 of the Washington Football Team catches a pass against Cameron Sutton #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of their game at Heinz Field on December 07, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Positive 3

Logan Thomas is another player that received a lot of scrutiny earlier in the season, but he is quickly becoming a true TE1 option.

Since Week 6 against the Giants, Thomas has been a force at tight end and he has been used as a quarterback in a few trick plays – often with very good results.  Against the Steelers, Thomas made several key plays throughout the game and recovered an early fourth quarter J.D. McKissic fumble deep in Washington territory.  That could’ve been costly, but Thomas alertly prevented a potentially huge disaster.

The former Hokie caught nine passes on nine targets and the game-tying touchdown nearly halfway in the final quarter.  It was his most productive game since entering the league in 2014.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

Before this season, Thomas’ most productive season was last year when he hauled in 16 receptions. Thomas has 43 catches so far in 2020 and it’s possible that he could reach 60 four games from now.

Negative 3

Shaun Dion Hamilton returns to the list this week.  Here is what we said about him last week.

"His role on the defense and special teams continues to diminish.  While he had no bad mistakes on Thursday, Hamilton’s impact this season has been minimal.  Is he playing his way out of Washington in the coming months? At the risk of sounding impertinent here, please realize that raw statistics don’t lie.  SDH needs to produce over the next five games or he will be searching for a new home during the upcoming offseason."

Hamilton appeared in five plays on defense and 27 plays on special teams.  Not one tackle.  Not one assist.  Not a single statistic.  It is now four games and counting.  Can he turn the negatives into positives over the next four weeks?

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