5 positives for Washington vs Buccaneers

The Washington Football Team figured to be talking about a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, but an inspired effort on Sunday led to one of the greatest upsets of the 2021 NFL season.

Welcome to this week’s analysis of the latest game including the positives and grades, plus a look at next week’s game against the Panthers.  We have a new, leaner look to unveil for you today.  Gone are the multiple pages of analysis and excessive verbiage.  We’ll keep it simple and concise in this format.  We hope you will enjoy these changes.

After Washington’s bye week, fans and analysts thought a victory over Tampa Bay was a longshot and the season was basically over – including most of us at Riggo’s Rag.

Washington’s players had another idea and while the season is still on life support, there is a glimmer of hope after a stunning 29-19 upset of the Buccaneers.  Let’s get right to it.

5 positives for Washington Football Team vs Buccaneers

1. The offensive line is our first positive for this week.  From a powerful one-yard touchdown in the third quarter to a 19-play drive that consumed most of the final quarter, this unit put forth a great effort.

2. Taylor Heinicke has been featured a lot in the positives or negatives this season, but he was a force for good on Sunday.  He engineered many solid drives that resulted in six scores.  Scoring on six of nine drives on Sunday was a major factor in the victory and Heinicke is our second positive of the week.

3. Jon Allen is a force in the middle of Washington’s defensive line.  He is having his best year as a pro thus far and the former Alabama star continues to build on his accomplishments each week.  Number 93 was a force against the run on Sunday and he harassed Bucs quarterback Tom Brady throughout the game.  Allen is our third positive of the week.

4. Antonio Gibson has churned out more yardage in other games, but Sunday was his best effort in a Washington uniform thus far.  He was a major factor in helping to wear down Tampa Bay’s vaunted defense.  Gibson willed his way into the end zone twice and those two touchdowns kept the Bucs from mounting a comeback.

5.  The coaching staff deserves high praise across the board, but Scott Turner called his best game as the team’s offensive coordinator since coming to Washington and he is deserving of our fifth positive.

Grades for Washington vs. Tampa Bay

• Quarterbacks – Grade: A
• Running Backs – Grade: A
• Tight Ends – Grade:  B+
• Wide Receivers – Grade: A-
• Offensive Line – Grade: A+
• Defensive Line – Grade: A-
• Linebackers – A-
• Cornerbacks – Grade: B
• Safeties – Grade:  A-
• Special Teams – Grade: A
• Coaches – Grade: A

Awarding five game balls to deserving players

• 1. DeAndre Carter – His touchdown catch put Washington up by 13 points in the first half.
• 2. Joey Slye – Three for three on field goals and two for two on extra points.
• 3. Casey Toohill – With Montez Sweat sidelined, Toohill had a solid game as the replacement.
• 4.  Kamren Curl – Curl made the hit that caused the first turnover.
• 5. Adam Humphries – He hauled in a crucial third-down catch for a first down on the final drive.

Prediction, Final Thoughts

Washington faces the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte this coming Sunday and the game could be a letdown.

Panthers 31  Washington 28

We hope you like the new format.  Short, simple, sweet, and to the point.

The Nameless Football Team is still in the thick of a playoff race.  It will be tough to make such a run, but they did it last year.

A year ago the signature game was a stunning victory over the 11-0 Steelers in Pittsburgh.  The Tampa Bay victory will likely go down as the signature win for 2021.  The team is making strides to be one of the best in the league, but it will take more time and a franchise quarterback to make it happen.  On to Carolina!