10 Bold Predictions for the Washington Football Team in 2021

May 14, 2021; Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Washington Football Team running back Jaret Patterson (35) carries the ball during rookie minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2021; Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Washington Football Team running back Jaret Patterson (35) carries the ball during rookie minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 10, 2021; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) passes the ball during drills as part of minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2021; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) passes the ball during drills as part of minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Bold Prediction 3: Ryan Fitzpatrick will throw 15 INTs

I’m sorry, I had to do it.

With Fitzpatrick, you have to take the bad with the good. The same thing that creates the Fitzmagic, can lead to Fitztragic results.

Fitzpatrick has started 16 games three times in his career. In 2011, he led the league with 23 interceptions, in 2012, he threw 16 interceptions, and in 2015, he threw 15 interceptions.

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In 2015, Fitzpatrick was with the New York Jets and the team finished the season 10-6 before Fitzpatrick imploded in a Game 17 match-up that would have clinched a playoff berth.

Out of the three teams, the 2015 Jets has the most parallels to the 2021 Washington Football Team as that team had a top 10 defense, which helped overcome some of Fitzpatrick’s mistakes.

The Washington Football Team’s defense should be able to bail Fitzpatrick out in 2021, and if the team is winning in spite of the interceptions, Fitzpatrick will start. However, if things start to go south, the question will be how big of a leash will Fitzpatrick get.

The Jets had Geno Smith as their backup in 2015, and he hadn’t shown much as a starter, which allowed Fitzpatrick to keep his job. Will Ron Rivera exhibit the same patience with Heinicke waiting in the wings?