5 positives for Washington Football Team vs Raiders

The Washington Football Team took another major step towards the playoffs with a gritty victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and the real race begins this coming Sunday.

For fans of the Washington Football Team, the last five weeks have been an emotional grind, but the victories continue to add up to a bona fide playoff run.  After winning 17-15 last week against the Seahawks, the Burgundy and Gold won by the same score and it was truly a game of inches all afternoon.

With this four-game winning streak, Washington is now the sixth seed in the NFC playoff race.

The toughest slate of games still awaits as Washington will close the regular season with five straight games against their NFC East rivals.

Also, Sunday’s victory looks as if it has come at a heavy cost.  At the time of this article submission, tight end Logan Thomas is thought not to have a torn ACL and MCL, but the injury is still serious.  It will probably end his season, but No. 82 should have more than enough time to be healthy for the 2022 season.

For now, let’s focus on the good aspects of the Raiders game.

Welcome to another analysis of the latest game with our five positives, grades, game balls, and a look at next Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.

Five Positives vs Raiders

• 1. Antonio Gibson continues to churn out the tough yards and his efforts over the last four games have provided Washington with a key offensive component each week.  Gibson is on track for 1,133 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns this season.  For his efforts on Sunday, Gibson is our first positive.
• 2. Brian Johnson (who?) was signed to the active roster a few days ago and, yes, he is our fourth kicker this season.  Johnson made both of his extra-point attempts and nailed a 48-yard field goal with 37 seconds remaining in the quarter – the game winner!  He is our second positive from the Raiders game.
• 3. Logan Thomas is likely out for this season, but his impact on Sunday certainly deserves our attention.  With three catches for 48 yards, including a key 35-yard reception in the second half, the former Hokie added the first score of the game on a tough catch.  The least we can do is bestow a positive mention in his honor this week.
• 4. Cole Holcomb continues to shine this season, especially during this four-game winning streak.  He had two crucial pass deflections and 10 tackles against the Raiders.  Holcomb was the MVP on defense on Sunday and earns our fourth positive of the week.
• 5. Tress Way has been absent from our punting mentions of late, but we can’t ignore his solid contributions against Las Vegas.  With three of his four punts ending up inside the 20-yard line (one was inside the 10 with a penalty), the former Oklahoma standout shined with nearly 50 yards per punt average against the Raiders and he is the fifth positive this week.

Grades for Washington vs. Las Vegas

• Quarterbacks – Taylor Heinicke continues to help Washington win games, but he did struggle a bit against a talented Raiders defense.  Grade: B
• Running Backs – Antonio Gibson was solid as mention in the positives and Wendell Smallwood was effective when he was on the field.  Grade: A-
• Tight Ends – The numbers are not gaudy, but Logan Thomas and John Bates provided the firework when needed.  Grade: A
• Wide Receivers – Adam Humphries continues to provide the heat when his number is called, but the receivers struggled to get open against the Raiders.  Grade: C+
• Offensive Line – This unit continues to be a hearty bunch of warriors.  The Raiders’ defensive line was a challenge, but the big men held their own.  Grade: B
• Defensive Line – The defense is still solid and the “bend, but don’t break” mantra was on full display against the Black and Silver.  Grade: B
• Linebackers – Cole Holcomb was a beast, but Jamin Davis and Khaleke Hudson struggled at times.  Grade: C+
• Cornerbacks – The corners were gouged for major yardage at various stages of the game, but they clamped down when needed – on a two-point conversion attempt and the game-saving Hail Mary on the last play.  Grade: C+
  
• Safeties – They struggled at times as well, but Bobby McCain made a few key plays at critical moments in the second half.  Grade: B-
• Special Teams – Way and Johnson enjoyed solid games on Sunday and this unit was superb on coverage downfield.  Grade: A
• Coaches – You can’t argue with four straight victories.  Washington has been on fire since the bye and the leadership from head coach Ron Rivera has inspired the entire team.  Grade: A-

Awarding five game balls to deserving players

• 1. Bobby McCain – McCain had one of his finer games this season and prevented a long pass from being complete on the final drive.
• 2. John Bates – Bates arguably had his best game in a Washington uniform thus far.
• 3. Matt Ioannidis – Welcome back, Matty I.  He was able to pressure the quarterback a couple of times and added a key sack.
• 4.  Deshazor Everett – Everett filled in nicely for an injured Landon Collins and was a force for the special teams unit.
• 5. Adam Humphries – His timely receptions late in the game propelled Washington to another victory.

Prediction, Final Thoughts

Guess what!  It’s Dallas week!  The Cowboys are coming to town and Washington begins the critical five-game stretch that analysts and fans have been talking about all season.  Dallas is back to full strength (or very near it) after losing several key players for various intervals this season.

The game is not as close as fans would like.  Dallas has too many healthy weapons and rides their rediscovered momentum to a comfortable margin of victory on Sunday.

Cowboys 38  Washington 21

The soon-to-be-named Football Team will not lose too much ground with a loss this weekend, but any defeat down the stretch can’t be followed with another setback.

Can Washington win their fifth straight game on Sunday?  Is the team capable of winning all five games against their NFC East foes?  Do you think Ron Rivera should start to garner some coach of the year considerations?  It’s Dallas week!