After a Primetime Win, Washington Prepares for the Home Stretch

On Monday night, Washington pulled off something we've only seen once every few years.. a Monday night W!

There are many reasons to believe this recent flurry of victories could be sustainable moving forward. Sure, the Steelers had 3 games in 11 days, sure Dallas is bad, and sure, Cincy didn't have a healthy QB...

But man, that 11-0 Pittsburgh win hit different.

The biggest takeaway from this W is Washington doing it without Antonio Gibson who left the game 5 minutes in. Terry McLaurin was largely ineffective (2 Catches 14 yards) on the day as well. If this team can win without its 2 best offensive weapons against a top-tier defense, it shows the coaching is doing a great job.

DC relied on it's defense and depth to claw back into this one.

Down 14-0 with 2 minutes left in the first half, Alex Smith ran the 2-minute drill getting it to 14-3 by halftime.

After half, it was a whole different team.

Washington began the second half on a 14 play 82-yard drive and a touchdown to Peyton Barber, making the score 14-10. After that, momentum took over for Washington, winning the game 23-17. Let's go over some of the key takeaways.

Offense

I mentioned depth, and it looks like Washington may have a bit more depth at receiver than they are given credit. Cam Sims looks to be growing into the WR2 role for this team. Sims had a breakout game Week 9 vs NYG where he had 3 catches for 110 yards, and a touchdown in Week 6 against NYG. Aside from loving to play against the Giants, Cam Sims might just be a good receiver moving forward for this team.

In the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, Sims made a play on 3rd & 14 that not many receivers could make.

On another 3rd down in the 4th quarter Sims had the biggest catch of his young career in a tie game with 3 minutes left

Aside from #89, JD McKissic stepped up without Antonio Gibson at running back, catching 10 balls on the day. As previously mentioned, Barber played his role as well and scored a TD.

Logan Thomas is quietly proving to be a more than serviceable tight end signing. 9 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown for a guy who some thought couldn't last a season as the starting tight end.

Not sure what the refs saw here, but this was clearly a first down...

Other than Sims, McKissic, and Thomas, another compliment I want to give on O was the offensive line. They have played outstanding the last month and their chemistry is evident in the last couple weeks.

As for Alex Smith, 300 yards and touchdown to go along with 0 turnovers. Critical 3rd down completions in critical moments. This is why he got paid folks..(See the throw on the Cam Sims catch)

Defense

The entire defense is the big winner here IMO. There are many players to shout out, but the names that come to mind are Montez Sweat, Chase Young, Jon Bostic, Cole Holcomb and the whole DLine.

Each week that goes by I keep getting closer to believing Montez Sweat is just one of those guys that's going to be a pro bowler every year. There is too much raw athleticism and physical gifts there for him to just be "okay"

at 6'6 270 lbs with 4.4 speed, we are finally seeing it come together.

Sweat was a huge reason Washington was able to hold Pittsburgh to just 21 yards rushing on the day.

Monday night, we saw Sweat end the game with another tipped pass.

Chase Young is another name I would be remiss if I didn't mention.

At one point in the first half, Washington stopped Pittsburgh 7 straight plays at the goal line (1st down was due to WSH penalty after first 3 plays).

On the 7th play, Chase Young made a tackle on 4th & goal and turned the ball over on downs. This is what he can do, and this is why he was widely regarded as the best player in the draft.

Mike Tomlin had praise for Young pregame..

With Sweat, Young, and the rest of the D-Line, the Washington defense looks like a tough win the rest of the season.

The schedule remaining is winnable, it's up to the defense to keep progressing into a top 5-10 unit, and the offense needs to keep getting the most out of role players and patchwork offensive line.

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Carolina Panthers

Philadelphia Eagles

It could be worse

I see 3-1 barring a significant injury (Gibson) getting in the way.

I've been wrong before though, so we'll see..

On to San Fran