4 things we learned from Washington’s hard-fought loss to Cowboys

The Washington Football Team nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Every loss stings. But the fact Washington gave fans what proved to be false hope in the closing minutes made it hurt that much more.

Throw in the fact that it came against Dallas, which had their own heated benches flown in (?) and whose head coach guaranteed a win leading up to the game and you have the ingredients of a good ol’ fashioned nightmare.

But that’s why silver linings were created, right? The fact Washington avoided a blowout is a testament to the team’s mental fortitude and they’re still in the hunt for one of the Wild Card spots in the NFC.

With that said, Sunday served as a reality check for Washington, one that was probably needed before the stretch run.

Here’s what we learned from the loss.

4 things we learned from Washington’s loss to Dallas

4. Brandon Scherff is not worth $18 million

It feels weird to say, but Brandon Scherff is very much a polarizing figure amongst Washington fans. While everyone can appreciate the team’s record when he’s in the lineup, the veteran guard has opened himself to criticism given how much money he thinks he’s worth annually.

If you asked us, we’d tell you he’s not an $18 million player and the evidence was on full display against the Cowboys.

On the turning point in the game, Scherff was wrecked by Micah Parsons, who went on to record a sack-fumble on Taylor Heinicke that was returned 37 yards for a touchdown to give Dallas a 18-0 lead late in the first quarter.

There’s a distinct difference between being consistent and being deserving of becoming one of the highest-paid guards in the league. It’s also worth noting that Scherff hasn’t played a full season since 2016. He’s done so just two times in his seven-year career, including 2021.

Washington’s OL has embraced the next-man up philosophy all year. Whether it be a cheaper option through free agency, promoting a rotational player or finding a gem in the draft, the group can get by without Scherff, who’s susceptible to the weekly penalty and is a below-average screen blocker.

Let another team overpay for him, especially at his desired price tag.