Finally, all the misery and agony of this crappy season have ended. We finished this underwhelming season at 7-10 — and with many questions surrounding the future of this yet to be renamed, football team.
The new name will be announced in 3 weeks. But in the meantime, there will be lots of moving and shaking leading up to the unveiling of the new name.
First, the QB situation has to be addressed pronto; Taylor Heinicke will not be the starter next season; that’s all I know for sure. We should draft a young QB and develop him — Matt Corral piques my interest.
I, for one, I’m not interested in Jimmy G (he gets hurt way too much), Mitch Trubisky is a backup, and we are better off with Heinicke than with Trubisky. Cam Newton wants to go to a contender — I think Washington should be considered a contender, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up here. Marcus Mariota might be a possibility, but I am unsure about his contract situation. But he kinda intrigues me.
Unfortunately, Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, and Deshaun Watson will cost way too much. So, I say no to them.
However, if Ryan Fitzpatrick is 100% and we draft one of those young QBs coming out in this upcoming draft, then we should revisit 2021s QB plan. So we go with Fitzpatrick starting, Heinicke backs him, and a young rookie QB watches and learns.
Happy that Charles Leno was signed for the next few years: he was one of the bright spots out of this season’s free-agent signings. But, as a top priority, we need to figure out a way to re-sign Brandon Scherff. He said in his exit interview that he wanted to stay. Also, we need to go out and find a middle linebacker, which will most likely happen during free agency.
In any case, this off-season will not be boring for Washington, that’s for sure.
WFT 22 — NY GIANTS 7
COWBOYS 51 — EAGLES 26
The Cowboys beat up on backups, so this score means nothing. However, Dallas is in for a rude awakening come playoff weekend. Next week, Dallas hosts San Francisco. Advantage, San Francisco 49ers.
The Eagles rested their starters as they looked into the playoffs. Next week, Philadelphia visits Tampa Bay. Advantage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
CHIEFS 28 — BRONCOS 24
Kansas City struggled to win this game, but Denver, a division rival, always gives them a tough game. Next week, Kansas City hosts Pittsburgh. Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs.
Vic Fangio was fired soon after their game ended. Significant changes are coming to Denver; they need to find a legit starting QB and a big-time head coach. Drew Lock has played well at times, but at best, he is a quality backup.
49ERS 27 — LA RAMS 24
San Francisco has now beaten the Rams 6 straight times. It is safe to say that Kyle Shanahan has his former Washington protege’s number. The 49ers clinched the final NFC playoff spot — they will be a dangerous team in the playoffs. Next week, San Francisco visits Dallas. Advantage, San Francisco 49ers.
I don’t put too much stock in this loss. San Francisco has had the edge over LA for a while now. The Rams, however, still won the NFC WEST and will host a playoff game. Next week, LA hosts Arizona. Advantage, LA Rams.
RAIDERS 35 — LA CHARGERS 32
This was a thrilling game that went into the last few seconds of overtime. Notably, this Vegas team has solid momentum heading into the playoffs. Next week, Vegas visits Cincinnati. Advantage, Las Vegas Raiders.
Justin Herbert was right on the money multiple times on 4th down, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a crucial missed field goal by Dustin Hopkins and some questionable coaching calls from Brandon Staley. The LA Chargers missed the playoffs by losing this game in overtime, but no reason to panic; the Chargers will be back in the playoffs next season.
TITANS 28 — TEXANS 25
The Titans clinched the AFC SOUTH and the number 1 seed. They are getting Derrick Henry back in time for their first playoff game in two weeks. Next up, Tennessee has a first-round bye.
Houston has lots of work in the offseason. First, they need to figure out the Deshaun Watson situation and address the future of head coach David Culley. Then, if they fire Culley, Houston should go out and get Brian Flores. But I think Cullen should get another year. I like what Lovie Smith is doing on the defensive side.
VIKINGS 31 — BEARS 17
Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman were fired, signaling a complete overhaul in football philosophy and operations moving forward.
Matt Nagy was also fired, and now Chicago becomes a fascinating destination for a new head coach willing to develop Justin Fields.
DOLPHINS 33 — PATRIOTS 24
Brian Flores getting fired was probably the most shocking casualty of Black Monday. Instead of getting rid of the GM, Miami owner Stephen Ross and his clown ownership group decided to move away from the best coach they’ve had since Jimmy Johnson. I’m sure Brian Flores will not be unemployed for long.
New England lost, but they are still playoff bound. However, the Patriots are not a very good team and will likely be one and done in the playoffs. Next week, New England visits Buffalo. Advantage, Buffalo Bills.
BILLS 27 — NY JETS 10
The Bills won the AFC EAST for the 2nd year in a row and have a favorable matchup for their first playoff game. Next week, Buffalo hosts New England. Advantage, Buffalo Bills.
Zack Wilson will become a pretty good QB for NY, and coach Robert Saleh is the right fit for this team. The Jets have to build around Wilson and continue to build through the draft. And now, with Flores gone from Miami, the Jets have a pretty good chance to climb up in their division.
SEAHAWKS 38 — CARDINALS 30
Seattle finished the season with a win but underdelivered on expectations. As a result, the future of Russell Wilson will now be a topic of speculation during the off-season. Houston, Denver, Washington, Miami, and even Cleveland might be possible destinations for Wilson.
Arizona is limping into the playoffs and, by losing this game, missed the opportunity to wrap up their division title and a home game. Next week, Arizona visits LA. Advantage, LA Rams.
BUCCANEERS 41 — PANTHERS 17
The Bucs put a beat down on division rival Carolina — while locking up the number 2 seed in the NFC. Tampa Bay needed to win this game and roll into the playoffs with some rhythm. Next week, Tampa Bay hosts Philadelphia. Advantage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Panthers are a disaster, and the way Cam Newton has been treated is beyond reprehensible. The Panthers will continue to sink further if Matt Rhule isn’t fired. Cam and Christian McCaffrey need to get the hell out of Carolina ASAP.
STEELERS 16 — RAVENS 13
The Steelers needed to win this game and a Raiders win to clinch a playoff spot. And now, Big Ben gets one more playoff game before officially retiring. Next week, Pittsburgh visits Kansas City. Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs.
The Ravens are all about Lamar Jackson or nothing. And with Lamar injured, their post-season chances went bye-bye. Next season Baltimore needs to acquire better weapons and improve their depth.
BROWNS 21 — BENGALS 16
The Browns were Super Bowl favorites at the start of the 2021 season but failed to grab a wildcard spot finishing at 8-9. So naturally, questions surrounding the future of Baker Mayfield will dominate talking points during the off-season.
The Bengals didn’t play Joe Burrow and most of their starters. Instead, they played backups as they prepared and rested up for their upcoming playoff game. Next week, Cincinnati hosts Las Vegas. Advantage, Las Vegas Raiders.
LIONS 37 — PACKERS 30
The Lions secured the number 2 pick in the 2022 NFL draft and will continue to build around Jared Goff.
Green Bay didn’t need this game; they already had clinched their division and the number 1 seed throughout the NFC. Next week, Green Bay has a first-round bye.
JAGUARS 26 — COLTS 11
The Jaguars played spoiler and helped eliminate the Colts from playoff contention. As a result, Jacksonville will again pick first in the upcoming NFL draft.
The Colts had the biggest stinker of week 18. They were supposed to destroy Jacksonville on paper, but instead, they were blown out and embarrassed. The off-season will be awkward for Indy.
SAINTS 30 — FALCONS 20
New Orleans missed the playoffs and now will have to figure out what to do at QB or maybe add better depth behind Winston. Unfortunately, Tyson Hill and Trevor Siemian may not be the answer.
The Falcons showed signs of life towards the second half of the season. However, an aging Matt Ryan might become expandable next season or soon after.
Rod Rioja 