10 positives for Washington vs Panthers and Seahawks

5 positives vs. Seahawks

• 1. Third down efficiency on offense and defense was a real problem for Washington during the first eight games of the season.  The last three weeks have been much better and that is our first positive for this week.
• 2. Is Taylor Heinicke making his case to be Washington’s starting quarterback for the next decade?  It’s only a three game sample, but the results in November were encouraging and he is our second positive from the Seahawks game.
• 3. J.D. McKissic is the running back that truly embodies the “Christian McCaffrey” role that coaches have wanted from Antonio Gibson.  McKissic is arguably the best receiving back in the league today and he is the third positive for this week.
• 4. Landon Collins has received a lot of anger from fans in 2021, but he has embraced his new role with Washington and had a significant impact on Monday night.  It’s nice to say that Collins is our fourth positive this week.
• 5. Logan Thomas and Curtis Samuel round out our positives for this week.  Both players were a bit rusty against the Seahawks, but they also had good impacts in the game.  Collectively, they are the fifth positive for this week.

Grades for Washington vs. Seahawks

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

Awarding five game balls vs. Seahawks

• 1. Shaka Toney
• 2. Antonio Gibson
• 3. William Jackson
• 4. Keith Ismael
• 5. Kendall Fuller

Prediction, Final Thoughts

No one expected to see the Washington Football Team as a possibility for the 2021 playoffs one month ago.  So much has changed since early November and the Burgundy and Gold went undefeated last month.  Can the streak continue?  The Raiders are a good team and can put a lot of points on the scoreboard and that is what could happen on Sunday.

The No Name Team has a chance, but the three game winning streak comes to an end.

Raiders 31  Washington 24

Traveling to Las Vegas with a short week is going to be tough, but Washington has been tough and gritty over the last month.

Will Santa bring good tidings of joy to Washington this month?  Earlier in the season, did anyone think Washington would win over Tom Brady, Cam Newton, and Russell Wilson over three straight games?  Is Taylor Heinicke ready to take the next step?  Can the good luck continue?  We’ll start to get some answers in Vegas this Sunday.