Haskins/Game Analysis
After yesterday’s dumpster dive, the Dwayne Haskins era is over. According to sources, the Washington Football Team has decided to release Haskins. The former Ohio State Buckeye has wasted multiple opportunities as a Pro and never displayed any true dedication to the sport. The main question is, where will the 2019 first-round pick land or will he even be employed by the NFL next season?
Washington would have solidified the NFC East, made the playoffs, and had the luxury of being able to rest key players in Week 17 with a win against Carolina.
Coming into Sunday’s game Washington has recorded some of the worst first-half offense the league has ever seen. The Football Team is still the only team left in the league who has not scored on the opening drive of the game.
Before snap, Washington ranked 31st in first-quarter point differential and 28th in 2nd quarter-point differential (-89). On the other hand, Washington ranks fifth in the 3rd quarter and second in 4th quarter point differential (+96). This team truly comes alive in the second half and it’s pretty annoying to watch week after week.
Everything that could have gone bad for the Washington Football did and in great measure. Bad calls and turnovers. Haskins finished the first quarter completing one of five passes for 5 yards and a fumble. At the half Haskins stat line was 6 of 15 for 36 yards, 2 interceptions, and a fumble. That is a QBR of 8.3.
Carolina’s game was Haskins’ sixth start of the year and Washington has fallen behind by 17 or more in 5 of those games.
Since 2018, Washington is 10-5 with Alex Smith as the starting QB and after yesterday’s loss, the Washington Football Team is now 6-26 with everyone else.
Haskins was benched later in the game and all fans were questioning why not sooner. He finished the game 14 of 28 for 154 yards, 2 interceptions, and a fumble. The former first-round pick was replaced by ODU’s own Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke was the QB for ODU when I was attending and I would have never thought that he would be suiting up in the Washington Football uniform. Don’t get it confused, he was very exciting to watch in college. The guy threw for 730 yards setting a Division I record for passing. For his career as a Monarch, he finished with 14,959 yards passing accompanied with 132 touchdown passes.
Ironically, Heinicke had to postpone college exams in order to perform on Sunday.
Honestly, he was pretty impressive. Taylor displayed his ability to run, create and throw some dimes. He looked comfortable on the field and showed that Dwayne shouldn’t have even started the game. Dwayne played 3 quarters and had a woof of a stat line. Heinicke played about 12 minutes and completed 63 percent of his passes for 137 yards and a touchdown.
His energy as soon as he walked on the field seemed to cater to the rest of the team. Is he worth the starting position? Not right now but if Alex is hurt, Dwayne cannot see another snap on the field if this team plans on making the playoffs. Taylor is a step in the right direction but it is safe to say that Washington fans hope Alex Smith is ready to go for Week 17.
Despite Dwayne fueling the fire to end our season, the referees associated with this game were horrendous. The Dwayne Haskins fumble was a terrible call and drastically depleted Washington’s energy. The officiating in this game was very lopsided and biased towards Washington. The Football Team forced a fumble and was robbed on 6+ that would have changed the outcome of the game. What makes the call worse is the replay playing in the background showing that the ball obviously came out prior to the whistle. Now, why was Haskins’ forward pass for 10 yards ruled a fumble but this was not?
Game Ball
The game ball of the week goes to Chase Young. Congrats Chase on making the Pro Bowl your rookie season and establishing a credible solid place in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race. On Sunday, Chase balled out with 3 tackles, 1 sack, a forced and recovered fumble.
Chase in 14 games played has 30 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, 4 forces fumbled, and a touchdown. GIVE THIS MAN THE AWARD!
Opportunities
Seattle and Carolina losses are bad for Washington but there is still light at the end of the tunnel. The Dallas Cowboys win over the Philadelphia Eagles eliminated PHI from playoff contention. Washington has one more chance against Philly in Week 17 to take care of business and take the NFC East Championship. If WSH wins, they’re in. If they lose then the Cowboys will win the division at 7-9 or the Giants will at 6-10.
Antonio Gibson looked great in his comeback and Terry will have another week of rest.
May the best team win…LOL
