Washington Football Team: Week 14 reality checks vs. 49ers
By Tim Payne
5. The Reality Is, the possibility of a letdown is real.
As much as the Pittsburgh game was a measuring stick for this team, their ability to handle success may tell us even more about what kind of progress Ron Rivera is making in changing the culture in Ashburn.
Most coaches can motivate their teams to get up for a big rivalry game (Dallas) or for a big game against a frontrunner (Pittsburgh). But it’s much more difficult to maintain intensity and focus after a big win, going against a team that is at least somewhat less intimidating.
Add to that the reality that this team is getting some positive national press for the first time all season, and the danger signs are all there for Washington to lay an egg on Sunday.
Washington needs to find a way to ratchet up their intensity each week of this stretch run, or they will find themselves in the terrible position of missing the playoffs and losing out on a high draft pick.
My Prediction: I’m buying in to the culture change. Will it last? Who knows. But I don’t expect the team to lay an egg against San Fransisco. They will be competitive, they will fight, and they won’t come in flat. But, they also won’t manage their fourth straight win.
Previewing Washington vs. San Francisco in Week 14. dark. Next
Expect a close, 21-20 loss, setting up a near must-win against Seattle the following week at FedEx Field.