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Washington Football Team: Five bold predictions vs. Seahawks

By Jacob Camenker

Oct 18, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; A view of the back of the helmet of Washington Football Team linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (51) before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; A view of the back of the helmet of Washington Football Team linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (51) before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; A view of the back of the helmet of Washington Football Team linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (51) before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; A view of the back of the helmet of Washington Football Team linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (51) before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Shaun Dion Hamilton leads Washington in tackles, records a sack

Antonio Gibson isn’t the only key injury that Washington is dealing with this week. They’re also going to be down two of their top linebackers, Cole Holcomb (concussion protocol) and Kevin Pierre-Louis (ankle). That will open up a lot of playing time for Washington on defense.

Holcomb and Pierre-Louis have combined to play 926 defensive snaps this season and rank second and third in playing time at linebacker. Only Jon Bostic is ahead of them in that area. With both unavailable, there will be a void to fill, and Washington will need some playmakers to step up into bigger roles.

It seems like Thomas Davis and Shaun Dion Hamilton would be the next two men up for Washington. Neither has played much on defense this year, but both have positive traits. With Davis, it’s his experience and previous production. For Hamilton, he’s a smart, heady player and a good athlete.

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While Davis will certainly see some snaps, it seems like a bulk of the vacated snaps will go to Hamilton. It’s easy to understand why. Thomas Davis is 37 and isn’t the same type of three-down playmaker that he once was. He can play in a limited role, but he’ll need Hamilton to pick up the slack with those two players out.

This game represents an opportunity for Hamilton. He has been passed on the depth chart by several players, but in an expanded role, he could push for more playing time. That’s why he’ll likely play hard, fast, and smart against the Seahawks and it’s why he should have a chance to lead the team in tackles and get a sack of Russell Wilson.

If Hamilton can have a breakout game, that would be huge for Washington. But even if he just shows up and leads the team with solid tackling, his coaches will surely be pleased with his efforts.

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