The Washington Football Team finished the season on a high note, defeating the New York Giants. This season may not have gone as planned, as many expected Washington to make it to the playoffs, but it's a great way to finish the year.
They finished 7-10 and have a lot to build on moving forward. Ron Rivera's team went 7-10 and were 3rd in the NFC East behind the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
The defense was stellar in the season finale, holding New York to seven points. They forced turnovers and were constantly in the backfield, pressuring the quarterback and stuffing the run. This game will give them momentum heading into the offseason.
Washington will need to make some moves in the offseason to get the roster into position to make a playoff run next season.
That being said, here are three takeaways from Washington's Week 18 win over the Giants.
3. Washington needs to find their franchise quarterback
Washington has been in the quarterback market over the last few seasons and will be in it again this offseason. They went out and signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. This led them to turn to Taylor Heinicke to start, who has been inconsistent all season long.
Against the Giants, Heinicke threw for 120 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also had a low completion percentage at 50 percent. A performance like this won't get it done against an elite team in the NFL.
Thus, the search for their franchise quarterback continues. Washington will need to look for one via trade, free agency, or the draft. This needs to be Washington's top priority as it could instantly make them a contender in the NFC.
2. Washington has the talent to be a top defense
Ron Rivera's team defense is loaded with talent and could be a top unit in the NFL. They have a great pass rush and a solid secondary to back them up. The leader of the defense is Chase Young, who suffered a torn ACL, which ended his season back in Week 9.
Against the Giants, the defensive front had three sacks and put constant pressure on Jake Fromm. They also had two interceptions and forced and recovered a fumble. While it won't be talked about much as Washington was already eliminated, their defense had a dominant performance.
This will be great to build on heading into next season.
1. Terry McLaurin is a superstar
Terry McLaurin has been an elite wide receiver since entering the league. While he's not talked about much, he is becoming one of the best wide receivers in the league. McLaurin had four receptions for 93 yards in the contest.
His explosiveness and route running make him a tough cover for any defense. McLaurin has yet to play with a great quarterback in his NFL career, which would make him even more dangerous. If Washington is able to find their franchise quarterback, the sky is the limit for McLaurin.
Washington has a critical offseason ahead that could determine the outlook of the team for years to come. Although it will be difficult to find their franchise QB, it is a necessary step to make it to the postseason. They have the right pieces in place and are close to becoming a contender in the NFC.
Washington fans should be excited about the future, and this win could be a sign of things to come in the future.
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