Two Washington stars named to 2021 PFWA All-NFC Team

Was it a blessing in disguise that the Washington Football Team didn’t make the postseason? Either way, valuable lessons have been learned.

While Washington likely would’ve been bounced on Wild Card Weekend, the Divisional Round, arguably the best in league history given all four games were won in walk-off fashion, showed just how far Ron Rivera’s group has to climb before they can reach contender status.

A quarterback will obviously help close the gap, but at least Washington has promising pieces scattered throughout the roster.

Unfortunately, the team’s 7-10 finish won’t see these players honored during award season, which is in full swing amid the playoffs. Take Jonathan Allen for example. Despite being one of the best pound-for-pound defensive tackles in the NFL, he somehow got omitted from the All-Pro rosters.

However, Allen won’t go home empty-handed this offseason. On top of making his first career Pro Bowl, the star lineman — along with teammate Antonio Gibson — was named to the 2021 Pro Football Writers of America All-NFC Team.

Washington Football team stars Jonathan Allen and Antonio Gibson were named to the PFWA All-NFC Team.

You love to see it! While no Washington players made the PFWA All-NFL team, that should take nothing way from Allen’s and Gibson’s selection. After all, Washington usually gets the short end of the stick when the entire NFL is considered.

Speaking strictly in terms of the NFC, though, Allen and Gibson were two of the best at their respective positions this campaign.

Allen, for starters, was Washington’s player of the season. The former first-rounder contributed 62 tackles, 10 of which went for losses, nine sacks (a career high), 30 QB hits (a career high) 67 pressures, 43 hurries and 32 run stops.

To put Allen’s season into perspective, his 84.9 player grade from Pro Football Focus finished tied for third amongst interior defenders. The grade was superior to the likes of Chris Jones, Kenny Clark and Vita Vea.

In addition, Allen’s 90.9 (!) pass-rush grade only trailed Aaron Donald and Javon Hargrave for the best at the position. He graded out better than the aforementioned trio, as well as Cameron Heyward, DeForest Buckner and Jeffrey Simmons.

Safe to say Allen earned his spot on the All-NFC Team.

Finally, we get to Gibson.

Gibson will always have doubters until he fixes his fumbling concerns, but he has everything at his disposal to be a top-flight running back. Taking on the role of a workhorse, his 258 carries ranked first in the NFC.

In addition, the second-year stud finished second only to Dalvin Cook in rushing yards (1,037) in the conference, fourth in rushing touchdowns (seven) and second in the entire NFL in first downs accounted for (65).

Only Jonathan Taylor had more with a ridiculous 107.

Gibson also chipped in 42 catches for 294 yards and three scores in the passing game. Pretty gaudy numbers for someone who battled through a stress fracture in his shin and was on the injury report seemingly every week.

Simply put, Allen and Gibson are two of the best players at their position in the NFC and their spots on the All-NFC Team were fully deserved.

Congratulations to Washington’s young stars.