Washington Football Team: Studs and duds from Week 5 debacle

Dud: Taylor Heinicke

Sorry, but Sunday’s game warrants two duds in a row. Taylor Heinicke turned in the worst performance of his career against the Saints, and it honestly wasn’t even close. He missed receivers all game long, was late on his reads and tossed two unforgivable and costly interceptions.

Heinicke finished the afternoon 20-of-41 for 248 yards and zero touchdowns, five carries for 40 yards on the ground. One of his interceptions came with Washington pinned deep inside their own territory. Rather than throw the ball away, Heinicke threw a duck from the back of the end zone that had no chance of being caught.

Less than two minutes later, Winston found Callaway wide open in the end zone to give the Saints a 27-16 cushion early in the fourth. At that point, you kind of got the feeling this one was over. We normally wouldn’t feel that way with Heinicke under center, but the 28-year-old was all out of sorts on Sunday.

Honorary stud mentions: Antonio Gibson (two touchdowns) and Ricky Seals-Jones and DeAndre Carter, who impressed in increased roles.

Dud: Ron Rivera

Sorry, but Sunday’s game warrants three duds in a row. We hate to troll, but enlighten us on something/someone else that was positive in this game? Unfortunately, our last dud from Week 5 comes in the form of Ron Rivera.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. Does that make Rivera insane? Obviously not, but he’s not far away given he continues to deploy Landon Collins and Bobby McCain at safety.

The most damning look for Rivera? Collins noted in his postgame presser, the defense wasn’t expecting a Hail Mary on the final play of the first half. Instead, they were ready for a quick out route to set up a field goal.

Yikes.

From top to bottom, Washington better fix up and fast because Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are next up on the schedule.