10 positives for Washington vs Panthers and Seahawks

The Washington Football Team went from cellar dweller to playoff contender in just two games, but greater challenges await in the coming weeks.

Welcome to an action-packed look at the last two games between Washington and the Panthers and Seahawks.  Washington has taken major steps toward a playoff berth, but there are still six games to play.  We’ll take a look at the next game on the schedule and give you a prediction.

After a huge family gathering for Thanksgiving, yours truly is back after the traditional feast and extended time with loved ones.  We hope your holiday was one of thankfulness and many blessings.  The Washington Football Team has so much to celebrate, but there is still plenty of work to do in December and January.

For this week, we will have positives, grades, and game balls for both games.  We’ll also give you a prediction for the Raiders game.  There is a lot to talk about today, so let’s plow right in!

5 positives vs. Panthers

• 1. Terry McLaurin produced five catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.  After the Panthers game, number 17 was on pace for 92 receptions, 1,250 yards, and nine touchdowns this season.
• 2. Linebacker Cole Holcomb is having a solid season and it continued against the Panthers with ten tackles and a key pass deflection.  His open field tackle of Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey on Carolina’s next to last series forced the home team into a fourth down.  The next play was a crucial fourth down stop.  Holcomb is our second positive.
• 3. How about that rookie tight end from Boise St.?  Going back to training camp, John Bates was thought to be a blocking tight end in his first season and nothing more.  Against the Panthers, Bates had three catches on three targets for 23 yards.  Bates is our third positive.
• 4. Kamren Curl had another solid game and continues to show that he was a steal in the 2020 draft.  With eight tackles, Curl was solid and steady.  After Cole Holcomb’s aforementioned key play in the fourth quarter, Curl was able to keep McCaffrey from gaining a crucial first down on that series.  Curl is our fourth positive.
• 5. Taylor Heinicke has been featured a lot in the positives or negatives this season, but he was a force for good against the Panthers.

Grades for Washington vs. Panthers

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

Awarding five game balls vs. Panthers

• 1. James Smith-Williams
• 2. Antonio Gibson
• 3. Cam Sims
• 4. J.D. McKissic
• 5. Joey Slye