5 negatives for Washington Football Team vs Broncos

2. Ineptitude in red zone

The red zone ineffectiveness continued for a second straight week against the Broncos and the offensive unit produced just ten measly points once again.  The closer the Washington Football Team comes to an opponent’s goal line, the stronger an allergy becomes to the actual end zone – or so it seems.  Maybe it is voodoo or some sort of momentary time travel phenomenon that can’t be explained.

Here are some of the lowlights from Sunday:

• Failure to convert a 4th down deep in Broncos territory on the opening drive.
• Two blocked field goal attempts (low kicks from Blewitt).
• Lackluster two-minute drive to close out the first half (included in the futility were a sack and an interception in the end zone).
• Late 4th quarter drive (next to last of the game) produced an interception inside the Broncos ten-yard line).
• The final drive produced and three bad passes – including the final heave into the Broncos end zone.

This level of play could continue for the remainder of the 2021 season.  That is not a sarcastic statement or one of frustration, but it is simply a reality check in a lost season that is spinning out of control.

One item of note.  This is not the fault of offensive coordinator Scott Turner or head coach Ron Rivera.  The play calling has been solid, but players are making careless mistakes and they are failing to execute the plays as designed by the coaching staff.

3. Taylor Heinicke is not a franchise quarterback

The list of quarterback controversies in spans many decades – nearly sixty years if you look honestly at the history.  The trade of solid starting quarterback Norm Snead to Philadelphia for erratic gunslinger Sonny Jurgensen in 1964 sent seismic shock waves throughout the fan base.  Within a year, that trade favored Washington.  The Sonny and Billy (Kilmer) debates of the early 1970s pitted father against son and neighbor against neighbor.  In the mid-1990s it was Heath vs. Gus and there have been numerous quarterback battles since then.  Quarterbacks over the years in Washington have experienced varying degrees of success, but most of them have busted.

For the first time since his arrival in Ashburn, current quarterback Taylor Heinicke has been facing some criticisms over the last couple of weeks.  Frankly, much of it is deserved and most of his mistakes on Sunday were unforced errors, errant passes, and poor decisions.  The final series in the closing minute epitomized his day overall and that set of downs produced a horrible sack and three terrible passes.  Washington had two chances in the closing two minutes to score a touchdown and Heinicke laid a massive rotten egg.  His final pass – a Hail Mary to potentially send the game into overtime – sailed ten yards out of bounds.  That’s unacceptable.

Let’s be honest.  Taylor Heinicke was a feel-good story late in the 2020 season and his dive for a key touchdown in the playoff game against Tampa Bay will always be a magnificent part of Washington Football Team history.  Unfortunately, Heinicke is not a long-term starter.  However, he can be a solid backup for the Burgundy and Gold in the coming years.  For now, the former Old Dominion star is our third negative for this week.