Washington Football Team: Concerning process vs encouraging results

The Washington Football Team has had an odd, unexpected start to the season. Well, at least the way they have played has been expected. Maybe the teams they have beaten and lost to are not very surprising.

But that does bring up the question: Does the process matter more than the results? Is the defense sputtering more of a notable storyline than the 2-2 results?

One could take the glass half full approach and another could take the glass half empty approach to the first quarter of the Washington Football Team season.

Let’s dive into both angles.

Glass Half Full: The 2-2 start despite the poor defensive showing

The biggest storyline for the Washington Football Team has been how polar opposite it has played to expectations. It has been the offense that has been the difference in both of its wins. In both games, the offense (and DeAndre Carter) had to produce 30+ points.

If someone would’ve told a Washington fan in August that Washington would have a bottom third of the league defense and an; at times, electric offense, they would not have believed them.

But here Washington is. Heading into the Falcons game, the Washington Football Team ranks 28th in overall defensive DVOA. Only the Falcons, Jaguars, Lions, and Chiefs are worse.

Washington’s perceived backbone in both talent on paper, and resources allocated, has significantly underperformed. It not only has underperformed but it has been a significant liability. It has been one of the worst units in the NFL.

Yet, Washington is still 2-2. They are winning games behind an exciting —albeit inconsistent!— offense headed by Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin.

And they have an opportunity to jump to 3-2 against a beatable Saints opponent at home. And there is still hope that the defense can improve. It has too much talent not to right?

Time will tell.