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Washington Football Team: Studs and duds from Week 17 win over Eagles

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 03: Strong safety Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Football Team celebrates with defensive end Chase Young #99 after an interception during the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 03: Strong safety Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Football Team celebrates with defensive end Chase Young #99 after an interception during the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Dud: QB Alex Smith

Alex Smith improved to 5-1 as a starter this season with this victory, but this was clearly a game that Washington won in spite of Smith. The veteran had a few good throws, but too often, he handcuffed the offense’s ability to do anything.

This isn’t Smith’s fault. It’s clear that his surgically-repaired right leg just isn’t holding up. He missed the previous two games with a calf injury, but he was able to get on the field this week. He wasn’t 100 percent healthy though, and his mobility was a massive issue for Washington.

When Smith had to hold onto the ball for more than a couple of seconds, he wasn’t able to make any plays. The Eagles started getting pressure on him and when he was on the move, he simply couldn’t outrun the pass rush or get any power behind his throws.

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In fact, his power was an issue in general. He can’t drive off his injured leg as well as he once could because of that injury. Again, it’s not his fault. It’s just the truth.

As a result of Smith’s limitations, Washington had to run an offense that pretty exclusively checked the ball down. Sure, Smith took mid-tier chances occasionally, but for the most part, he was throwing short or throwing the ball away. That’s been a hallmark of his style over the years, avoiding mistakes, but the mistakes showed up more than usual in this game.

Smith threw two interceptions. One came via a high throw to J.D. McKissic that the running back juggled and a defender snagged. Another came on a bad underthrow where a receiver fell down, but the ball looked like a dead duck heading out there. He also had a fumbled snap on the team’s game-winning drive that nearly gave the Eagles a chance to win.

Smith also had trouble reading the field when scrambling, a result that is likely due to him being focused on the pass rush and trying to protect his injured leg. But that pressure impacted him even when he wasn’t moving, as he often settled exclusively for checkdowns in the second half. That won’t work against the defenses the team will face in the playoffs.

If Smith can’t show better mobility, he won’t be able to cut down on the turnovers or escape pressure in the playoffs. If that’s the case, then Taylor Heinicke may be the better option to start against the Buccaneers, as crazy as that may sound.

We’ll see what this week of practice brings, but no matter what happens, this was not a banner performance for Alex Smith, though the fact that he just led a team to a divisional title after the injury he suffered is surreal.

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