Washington Football Team: 5 negative takeaways from loss to Chargers

Grades, Prediction, Final Thoughts

Washington Football Team Grades vs. Chargers

After every game this season, we will also include grades for each unit and the coaches.  This week is not kind to the Burgundy and Gold, but we hope the team can bounce back against the Giants.

• Quarterbacks – Fitzpatrick was ineffective before sustaining the injury.  Taylor Heinicke breathed some life into the offense, but he sputtered down the stretch.  Grade: D+
• Running Backs – Antonio Gibson was solid, but the turnover was painful to see.  We need to see more of Jaret Patterson.  J.D. McKissic should’ve been a much bigger part of the offense on Sunday.  Grade: C+
• Tight Ends – Where were John Bates and Ricky Seals-Jones?  Logan Thomas needed to see more action.  Grade: Incomplete
• Wide Receivers – Other than a long, but difficult reception from Terry McLaurin, this group was non-existent.  Grade: C-
• Offensive Line – It was not a good day for the line.  Too many mental errors and a costly missed blocking assignment limited the offense.  Grade: D

• Defensive Line – This was their worst game since 2019.  Grade: D
  
• Linebackers – This unit allowed too many receptions and struggled a bit against the running backs.  Grade: D-
• Cornerbacks – This group was burned early and often.  William Jackson had a decent game, but he couldn’t save this unit on Sunday.  Grade: F
• Safeties:  They were a bit better than the corners, but the overall impact was not a positive.  Grade: D+
• Coaches:  The Washington Football Team was woefully unprepared against the Chargers, but the Burgundy and Gold still had a chance to win.  Horrible decisions surrounded this team on Sunday.  Is clock management an option with this staff?  Grade: F

Can the Washington Football Team Avoid a 0-2 Start?

Prediction vs Giants

The New York Giants are 0-1 after losing to the Broncos in an embarrassing home opener.  Both teams are going to be hungry for a victory on Thursday night, but Washington is now relying on their number two option at quarterback.

Giants 24  Washington 20

Final Thoughts

It’s only one game.  There are 16 games remaining and it is not a time to be pushing the panic button.  It’s not the start fans were expecting for 2021, but there are many reasons to stay optimistic.

The Washington Football Team was in it until the end and yours truly will admit that taking such a view could elevate the grade of each unit by one full measure – minus the coaches.  We’ll take the harsh angle for now and hope to see better play from Washington in the coming days and weeks.  On to the Giants game!