Washington Football Team: 3 predictions for Week 2 vs the Giants
3. Neither team scores more than 21 points.
Thursday Night Football has produced some of the worst football games in recent memory. From injuries to lackluster play, typically TNF is the home for bad football games.
With the Giants first showing of the year providing more questions than answers on both sides of the ball, and Washington’s Quarterback situation once again in limbo, this likely will not be an offensive slugfest.
Taking into consideration both defenses are looking to bounce back from average defensive outings, facing offenses that found little to no rhythm whether it be due to turnovers or injury, it shouldn’t be a shock if this game comes to the wire in a defensive tug-of-war.
The Football Team’s offensive miscues in 2020 are well noted. With Ryan Fitzpatrick now out in 2021, a 30-year-old Taylor Heinicke will be making his second start for Washington.
Though improved statistically through one game, Washington ranked 23rd in success rate as an offense, 25th in dropback success rate after their Week 1 performance.
After the game, Rivera talked about the defense not being in the correct position. The first play of the game is a perfect example of that.
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) September 13, 2021
Washington is playing quarters coverage. Holcomb's responsibility is the curl/flat area. He never widens with the motion, easy first down. pic.twitter.com/Z9xMVcm9OI
Taylor has shown the ability to run the offense at an admirable level, providing a spark outside of the pocket and showing a competent ability to go through his progressions.
But the sample size for Heinicke and the bare minimum of 16 points put up for Washington in week one still provide too many questions and not enough answers. Coupled by the fact that the Football Team will be facing a strong defensive line in New York, led by Leonard Williams, the Washington offensive line will have their hands full after a mediocre outing on Sunday.
In the case of the Giants, their offense performed even worse than Washington’s in terms of dropback EPA in week one, while marginally performing better in other statistics despite the WFT losing their starting QB in Week 1.
A Giants offense that struggled heavily in the red zone will be facing a Washington unit that ranked 6th in rushing success rate and league-average in dropback EPA after playing below their standards in Week 1.
It’s a matchup for both offenses that don’t favor them whatsoever. The Football Team’s offense will be playing a strong Giants defensive unit that is top-heavy in pass-coverage and weaker against the run, as New York’s offense takes on a Washington defense that has top-3 potential in the NFL, but lacked strong execution in week one.
Two struggling, question-filled offenses will be taking on defensive counterparts that have the ability to shut down all that they want to do. It’ll be the battle of strength versus weakness, whoever’s lower-tier offense prevails will win this game by a small margin.