Washington Reality Checks: Tampa Bay revenge game edition

1. The Reality Is, progress matters more than draft status.

Washington is going nowhere fast without a quarterback. Until they land a franchise quarterback, almost nothing else they put together as an organization (on the field or off) will improve their standing, excite the fanbase, or elevate their long-term trajectory.

And while conventional wisdom is that “tanking” is the best way to improve their chances of landing a quality quarterback in the draft next offseason, it’s actually only losing and loser organizations that think this way.

Washington should be willing to trade significant assets to land the right passer next offseason, whether that’s through the draft, via trade, or in free agency. But in any case, their best chance of having that passer succeed in Washington is for there to be an organization-level trust and confidence that Rivera is the right man to continue leading the organization.

If Washington looks totally inept in the coming weeks and ends up with a top-5 draft pick, it’s my contention that Rivera will officially be on the proverbial “hot seat”. And if he’s on the hot seat, no franchise quarterback will sign with Washington, and no rookie quarterback will have the organizational stability around them necessary to succeed.

Conversely, if Washington plays well, shows improvement among their young and talented core, and manages to be competitive in and win more than a few of their remaining games, Rivera will be empowered to spend the assets necessary to secure and support a high draft pick or, if he chooses to go the trade or free-agent route, win the inevitable recruiting battle involved in such an acquisition. Washington needs to pass the eye test in these final 9 games to avoid the death spiral that all regimes in Washington since Beathard/Gibbs have experienced.

That starts with a respectable showing against Tampa Bay on Sunday. And, contrary to popular opinion, I think that’s what they’ll have.

Look for Jamin Davis and Chase Young to both have solid games. Look for Dyami Brown to look more comfortable. Look for a solid return from Sam Cosmi, and expect a relatively tight game similar to the Green Bay game. Washington will never truly threaten to beat the Bucs, but will not embarrass themselves in defeat. Look for Heinicke to struggle early and possibly get pulled for Kyle Allen at halftime, and for Washington to manage just enough bend-but-don’t-break on defense to keep it close.

Washington loses the game but gains some confidence: Tampa Bay 27, Washington 19.