Washington Football Team: Three takeaways from playoff-clinching win

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 03: Defensive end Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team carries the football after a fumble recovery and is tackled by running back Boston Scott #35 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – Washington doesn’t win without 2020’s pleasant surprises

As mentioned in the previous slide, the Washington Football Team played a sloppy game with a lot of self-inflicted wounds. Alex Smith, although tough and resilient, was limited and volatile, and on defense, penalties were a big problem early.

There’s a very real chance the Washington Football Team doesn’t win this game without some of their pleasant surprises from the 2020 season. Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic moved the chains with ease. Logan Thomas made a highlight-reel end zone grab, and generated some first downs as well. Cornelius Lucas held up his end of the bargain at left tackle. Chase Young and Montez Sweat dominated. Ronald Darby had a deflection. Kamren Curl had an interception.

The 2020 Washington Football Team came to play on Sunday, in perhaps its fullest capacity. And the production of its bedrock players speaks to what the WFT is. It’s a full team effort, where every little bit counts. Through countless setbacks, the Washington Football Team persevered, and in the final week, players stepped up when they needed to.

It takes a game like this to fully appreciate how far the Washington Football Team has come since summer. Gibson and McKissic weren’t expected to be this good. Neither was Thomas, or Lucas, or Darby, or Curl. And Alex Smith wasn’t supposed to be back as a leader, to serve as a paradigm for the younger players. But he was. And they were. And without them, Washington doesn’t have anything to celebrate today.

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