Washington Football Team: Dwayne Haskins’ time may be coming again
If Haskins does get the start against Seattle, he should remember one thing: Colt McCoy was able to beat this Seahawks team, so he can too.
Fans of the Washington Football Team franchise know all about McCoy. He can step it up every now and then, but is not a world-beater by any means. The Giants relied heavily upon their defense to beat Seattle, and Washington can utilize a similar formula.
McCoy finished 13-of-22 for 105 yards to go along with one touchdown and one interception in the win against the Seahawks. It’s not a stat line to strive towards, but it proves Haskins doesn’t have to be lights-out to pick up the win.
The Giants relied heavily upon their running game with Wayne Gallman and Alfred Morris combining for 174 rushing yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). With J.D. McKissic’s versatility, Washington should be able to leverage a similar strategy. The majority of McCoy’s throws were short-to-intermediate routes which are the types of plays where Haskins has thrived.
If Haskins can limit mistakes and manage the game, he will give the Washington Football Team a chance to win. Lucky for him, Coach Rivera has found himself in similar situations throughout his career, both as a player and a coach.
In 1985, when Rivera was on the Bears, starting quarterback Jim McMahon got injured, and backup Steve Fuller had to come in and take over late in the season.
The 1985 Bears had one of the best defenses ever, so Fuller didn’t have to rely on his offensive prowess to win games. All he had to do was come in and limit mistakes, which is similar to what Haskins has to do.
Fuller did just that, and went 3-1 while filling in for McMahon. The Bears would go on to win the Super Bowl that season.
In 2014, Rivera faced a similar situation late in the season when starter Cam Newton missed a game recovering from injuries related to a car accident. Backup Derek Anderson stepped in and led the team to victory, passing for 277 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions to keep the Panthers’ playoff hopes alive. The team would go on to finish 7-8-1, make the playoffs, and win their Wild Card game.
Next. Moves that could open Washington's Super Bowl window. dark
With playoff implications present in the game against Seattle on Sunday, let’s see if Haskins can show just how much he has grown by helping lead the Washington Football Team to victory, if he ends up getting the start.