The Washington Football Team was thought to be in a rebuild, with holes at quarterback, wide receiver, and all over their defense. Following their 17-15 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, they suddenly find themselves as the #7 seed in the NFC Standings and the final wild card spot.
Here are the key takeaways from the win on Monday night.
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Washington Football Team Takeaways from Week 12 Win
3. Taylor Heinicke is better than people realize
Part of the reason many people believed the Washington Football Team was in a rebuild mode was because of the quarterback position. Taylor Heinicke is far from a house hold name. Heinicke went to college at Old Dominion and was an un-drafted free agent pick up by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015.
He has been a part of a bunch of organizations, including the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers, but had rarely ever had the chance to see the field. But he had a coming out party in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs last season.
He played as well, if not better, than Tom Brady that game. Yes, you read that right. He made some amazing throws and plays with his legs that kept them in that game. Ultimately, they lost in a close football game. Following an injury to Ryan Fitzpatrick early this season, he was once again vaulted into the starting lineup. He has played decently well.
On Monday night, he threw for 223 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception. For the season, he is completing 67% of his passes and has 16 TD's to 10 INT's. Those are not awful numbers. I am not saying he is the long term answer for Washington, but he is much better than most realize.
2. Washington's skill position players are also better than most think
Not only is Heinicke better than people think, the offense as a whole is better as well.
Terry McLaurin is one of the better wide receivers in the NFL. If he had a Pro Bowl level quarterback, he might be elite. He is fast, runs very good routes and has great hands. He was drafted in the 3rd round of 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State and has got better each year.
The team has two running backs with very different skill sets, and both are good at their jobs. Antonio Gibson is a tough, between the tackles runner who has a good nose for the goal line. He does not shy away from contact.
Antonio Gibson took this hit like a god-damn warrior.#WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/W2fnJsAha8
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) November 30, 2021
Their backup running back, J.D. McKissic, is a bit of a scat back. He is explosive in open space, has incredible hands catching the ball and makes guys miss in the open field.
JD McKissic Touchdown!! pic.twitter.com/CnERDp2Sx1
— Alex Monaco (@Alex__Monaco) November 30, 2021
Even at tight end, Logan Thomas when healthy is one of the better at the position in the NFL. He was drafted as a quarterback and eventually shifted positions. Last season, Thomas caught 72 passes for over 600 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Injuries derailed his season thus far this season, but he looked good again last night.
Thomas had a touchdown called back due to penalty, but probably should have stood.
1. Washington has a legit shot at the post season
With six games remaining in the season, Washington is currently holding the final wild card spot. They have every chance to hold onto it.
Their remaining games are all winnable. They certainly aren't going to win them all, but they could win any one of them.
Following a game against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday, they finish the season with five consecutive divisional games. They face the Eagles twice, who also currently has five wins. They also play the Cowboys twice.
Dallas has been very inconsistent and is dealing with injuries and COVID. Then the Washington Football Team will finish the season against the New York Giants.
I think it's fair to guess this team will go 3-3 down the stretch. If that happens, they finish the season 8-9. Currently, the Washington Football Team is 5-2 in conference games. That is the key tie breaker for most scenarios.
It helps that the teams they are fighting against for the wild card spot have serious issues. The Minnesota Vikings just lost All Pro running back Dalvin Cook to a shoulder injury for at least a few weeks.
New Orleans is also 5-6, but has been a sinking ship of late. They don't have a quarterback, have had Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram missing at running back. That team is in a free fall.
Atlanta is the next team on the list. I don't think anyone trusts that team to hang around the rest of the season.
The Carolina Panthers just placed Christian McCaffery on season-ending injured reserve. The Eagles just lost to the Giants.
It's all right in front of Washington to make the playoffs.
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