10 quick thoughts from Week 15 as Washington can’t overcome roster shortages
By Jerry Trotta
With nearly half their roster missing due to injury and COVID-19 protocols, the Washington Football Team was always going to need a perfect game to walk away from Lincoln Financial Field with a win.
For the first quarter, at least, it looked like Washington was going to ride luck and grit to an improbable upset. However, once they stopped getting all the breaks and the Eagles stopped shooting themselves in the foot, it became clear just how overmatched Ron Rivera’s group really was.
When the dust settled from Philly on Tuesday night, Washington lost by a final score of 27-17 to drop to the No. 9 seed in the NFC playoff hunt. The season is far from over, but it kind of feels like the club’s playoff hopes are beginning to slip away.
It’s tough to put any of the blame on the players or the coaching staff, which was down seven assistants. Sometimes you just have to chalk it up to luck, and that was never on Washington’s side amid their COVID-19 outbreak.
It was a rough night for Washington fans, but we have to recap wins and losses all the same. You know what that means.
Washington Football Team: 10 quick thoughts from Week 15
A dream start for Washington: When Dallas Goedert dropped a surefire first down conversion — and likely A LOT more — on the Eagles’ first drive, fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
Little did they know, however, that the play would result in a forced turnover by Washington, as replayed showed the ball never touched the ground. Rather, it ricocheted off Goedert’s heel and into the welcoming arms of Landon Collins.
https://twitter.com/FanSided/status/1473447776084234257
Run the offense through AG: After Washington took over deep in Philly territory, Scott Turner had one thing in mind: feed Antonio Gibson. That he did, as the 26-yard scoring drive was all Gibson from start to finish.
Here’s how the play sequence looked.
- Gibson two-yard rush
- Gibson six-yard rush
- Gibson six-yard rush
- Gibson two-yard rush
- Gibson five-yard reception
- Gibson four-yard rush
- Gibson TD
We agree with Turner. Feed Gibson until you can’t no more!
Welcome back, Montez!: With Washington’s offense as depleted as it is, the pressure was on the defense to step up.
Well, how does two first quarter takeaways sound? On the Eagles’ ensuing drive following Gibson’s touchdown, Montez Sweat, playing in his first game since Week 8, strip-sacked Jalen Hurts that was recovered by Collins.
That’s how you announce your return after missing the last five games.