Three consecutive losses are disgusting and embarrassing. However, the silver lining here is that this was the best game Washington has played from start to finish despite the loss.
I saw much better play from the defense, and I liked how the offense moved the ball multiple times into the red zone, and they were in scoring situations against a solid Packer defense — those were all positive signs. Plus, there was better play on special teams — all those things suggest to me that there is a chance to right the ship and that not all is lost this season.
I saw some exciting and good things that I hadn’t seen from the defense all season. They played better collectively but still missed tackles and allowed too many open targets for Aaron Rodgers in the secondary.
We left multiple scores out on the field by not executing crucial plays at the goal line. This is why it is essential to have a legit franchise QB — Look, I’m not making any excuses, but simply put, Heinicke is a backup QB who can be explosive at times. Notwithstanding, the schedule has been crucial for such an inexperienced NFL QB.
Antonio Gibson has been playing hurt with a shin fracture, which explains the struggles with the running game as of late. But they need to start featuring Patterson and McKissic a lot more and take away some of the risky play from Heinicke.
Rivera going for it on all of those goal-line 4th downs was infuriating. The game would’ve been closer if we had scored at least field goals. We needed to see what we have with this new kicker.
Next Sunday, Washington has a unique opportunity to get some momentum by beating Denver and heading into their bye week on a positive note. Adavantage, Washington.
WFT 10 — PACKERS 24
NY GIANTS 25 — PANTHERS 3
The Giants got a lucky break catching a Carolina team rattled with injuries and no Christian McCaffrey. Danny Dimes had a Philly special type of highlight catch. New York’s defense played an inspired game, keeping Carolina from scoring TDs. Next up, New York has a short week and will host Patrick Mahomes on Monday night. Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs.
Sam Darnold got benched in the 4th quarter. The Panthers started 3-0 and were looking pretty good; however, OL injuries and Christian McCaffrey’s loss have changed this team’s offensive outlook. Next up, Carolina has a divisional game at Atlanta. Advantage, Atlanta Falcons.
EAGLES 22 — RAIDERS 33
The Las Vegas Raiders have won two straight games and look like a brand new team without Jon Gruden. Derek Carr seems to be playing inspired and loose. Rich Bisaccia has this team looking like a contender. Next week, Las Vegas has its bye week.
The Eagles are struggling to get anything going. Jalen Hurts shows flashes of his potential, but the combination of lack of talent around him, injuries, and ineptitude from the coaching staff is reflected on their 2-5 record. Next week, Philadelphia visits a winless Detroit team hungry for a win. Advantage, Detroit Lions.
LA RAMS 28 — LIONS 19
The LA Rams got rocked from the very start of the game by trick plays from Detroit, but good teams know how to keep their composure, and they find ways to win. The Rams defense was pushed hard by a scrappy Lions team looking for their first win. Next week, LA visits a messy Houston Texans team. Advantage, LA Rams.
Detroit seemed inspired by the return of Jared Goff to LA — against the team that gave up on him. The Lions were very much into this game, but things got away from them in the 4th quarter. Next week, Detroit has an excellent chance to get their first win of the season hosting Philadelphia. Advantage, Detroit Lions.
TITANS 27 — CHIEFS 3
Man, this was a shocker. It felt like Tennessee pulled Kansas City’s pants down and spanked them. Derrick Henry was somewhat contained, but the threat of the run opened things up for everyone else. Next week, Tennessee visits the surging Indianapolis Colts. Advantage, Tennessee Titans.
Kansas City’s lack of defense is a massive problem and a cause for immediate concern. Patrick Mahomes tries too hard to make things happen by forcing plays, costing them dearly in this game. Next up, Kansas City has a solid chance to get things going again by hosting the NY Giants. Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs.
CARDINALS 31 — TEXANS 5
The Cardinals are rolling through every opponent and seem unstoppable at 7-0 for the season. Next up, Arizona will be tested by hosting the 6-1 Green Bay Packers. Advantage, Arizona Cardinals
The Texans are a disaster right now. Their best chance to get anything positive will depend on the return of Tyrod Taylor to the starting lineup. Next up, Houston takes on another dynamic team when hosting LA. Advantage, LA Rams.
BENGALS 41 — RAVENS 17
Joe Burrow and the Bengals have officially put everyone in the AFC NORTH on notice. The Bengals took over this game in the 4th quarter and never looked back. Cincinnati is now 5-2 and has 2 game division lead. Next week, Cincinnati visits the 1-5 NY Jets. Advantage, Cincinnati Bengals.
Lamar Jackson was a one-person show against Cincinnati, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Baltimore’s injuries. The lack of a balance in the running game and spotty secondary play are things to worry about if Baltimore wants to make a deep playoff run. Next up, Baltimore has their bye week.
BUCCANEERS 38 — BEARS 3
Tampa Bay completely dominated this game and made things miserable for Chicago. Tom Brady recorded his 600 career TD, and Tampa Bay now moves to 6-1. Next up, Tampa Bay has a divisional game against New Orleans. Advantage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bears cannot protect Justin Fields, and the risk of ruining this kid’s career is pretty high if he continues to start games this season. Andy Dalton needs to return to the starting lineup soon. Next up, Chicago hosts San Francisco. Advantage, San Francisco 49ers.
PATRIOTS 54 — NY JETS 13
The Patriots ran up the score on their division rival. This doesn’t surprise me; it is straight out of Belicheater’s playbook. Next week, New England visits a rested Chargers team. Advantage, LA Chargers.
This game was a disaster for the Jets. Zach Wilson had to come out of the game in the 2nd quarter with a knee injury. Their backup QB Mike White is another rookie, which is insane — How can an NFL team not have a veteran QB in their roster to mentor a young developing rookie?. Well, the Jets addressed this issue by trading for Joe Flacco. Next week, the Jets will probably start Flacco against Cincinnati. Advantage Cincinnati Bengals.
BROWNS 17 — BRONCOS 14
Case Keenum started this game replacing injured Baker Mayfield — Keenum managed the game effectively, relying heavily on the run game. Third-stringer D’Ernest Johnson had a breakout game against a strong Denver defense, rushing for 146 yards and 1 TD. The Browns will need to follow a similar game plan until Mayfield returns. Next week, Cleveland has a massive divisional game hosting Pittsburgh. Advantage, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Denver was supposed to have a strong defense this season, but injuries are piling up, and even Von Miller is banged up. However, the Broncos are still a dangerous team offensively with Terry Bridgewater, Jerry Judy, and Melvin Gordon III. Next week, Denver host a Washington team in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory. Advantage, Washington.
FALCONS 30 — DOLPHINS 28
Atlanta is quietly finding its way out of what seemed a mess of a season by putting together back-to-back wins. Matt Ryan, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Kyle Pitts are clicking and will start to make some noise in the NFC SOUTH. Next week, Atlanta has a chance to pull closer in their division hosting Carolina. Advantage, Atlanta Falcons.
The Dolphins were supposed to be a playoff team this season. But, inconsistencies on defense, Tua’s constant picks, and all the trade rumors surrounding Deshaun Watson are putting Miami’s season in peril. Next week, Miami visits the division-leading Buffalo. Advantage, Buffalo Bills.
COLTS 30 — 49ERS 18
Carson Wentz had an impressive game, relying heavily on the run game with Jonathan Taylor and spreading the ball around to his play-making receivers. The Colts have a good defense and are now 3-4; they could make a run at a possible wildcard spot this season. Next week, Indianapolis hosts division-leading Tennessee. Advantage, Tennessee Titans.
Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell had a breakout game rushing for over 100 yards and a TD. Deebo Samuel was elite as usual, with 100 yards receiving and 1 TD. But disappointingly, Jimmy G had a stinker of a game. Next week, San Francisco should have an easy game against a mess of a Chicago Bears team. Advantage, San Francisco 49ers.
SAINTS 13 — SEAHAWKS 10
Although new Orleans won this close game by a field goal, they should be concerned with how inefficient they were against a Seattle team with no Russell Wilson and many backups. Next week New Orleans hosts Tom Brady and company. Advantage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Seahawks will struggle with Geno Smith running the offense, and they are seriously in danger of not making the playoffs if Russell Wilson doesn’t return soon. Next week, Seattle hosts Jacksonville. Advantage, Seattle Seahawks.
Rod Rioja 