LA Chargers vs WSH Football Team

What’s up, Washington fans and readers! The 2021 NFL season is underway and we have another Washington Football Season ahead of us.

Let’s get straight into it, shall we?

Let’s get into the barn burning, sewer water leaking on the fans loss suffered this past Sunday. The Los Angeles Chargers had their way with the Washington defense converting on 14 of 19 3rd downs. Washington’s defense was ranked number 2 in Total Yards Allowed per game and Pass Yards allowed per game last season. Rushing yards allowed has been a liability but improved from being ranked 32 in 2019 to T-13th in 2020.

Chase Young and Montez Sweat coming into the season opener have a combined 47 games (Montez-32), 23.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, and Young recovered 3 of them. Not so much the case against LA. Jack Del Rio was unable to get a scheme going that would generate pressure on the QB, show any versatility in secondary coverage, and lacked in-game decision making.

The Charger’s opening drive was 75 yards and results in a touchdown having the Washington Football Team looking gassed early. Los Angeles finished the game having 5 drives with at least 10 plays and won total time possession with 12 minutes.

Kam Curl was by far one of the best defensive players during the game and saw a limited number of defensive snaps. Why Jack…why?

Justin Herbert, 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year, marched up and down FedEx Field with 337 yards passing, completed 66% of his passes with one touchdown and interception. Herbert controlled the game and recognized the inconsistencies in the Washington defense including going 4 for 4 on a 15-play drive near the end of the game to finish the last 6:43 off the clock.

Chargers tied history with the most 3rd down conversions converted on Washington since the Philadelphia Eagles in October, 9th 1994.

Can’t Escape…Cut a Break!

Washington’s offense on the other hand had its own set of problems. Compared to the Charger’s 3rd down efficiency, the WFT did not show up with an abysmal conversion of 3 out of 10.

The Curse of FedEx Field strikes again and another QB is down. Something has got to give.

Ryan Fitzpatrick takes a crushing blow and suffers a partial dislocation in his right hip. The 2021 Summer QB pickup is expected to miss half the season as he decides to rehab his hip, opting not to undergo surgery.

“After undergoing a battery of tests and seeking several expert opinions, Washington Football Team QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will attempt to rehab his hip without surgery for now, sources say. He’s expected to miss about 8 weeks,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.

In all honesty, Ryan did not look too comfortable on the field. Prior to the injury, Fitzpatrick completed 3 of his 6 passes for 13 yards.

Heinicke gets his shot and makes the most of it. The ODU Grad and fan favorite who went head to head against Tom Brady in last season’s Wild-Card game made it known that he is here to stay and wants the QB1 position. In my personal opinion, the QB1 decision was made without any competition. Almost seemed as if Ryan Fitzpatrick was just given the job.

Heinicke finished with 115 yards and one touchdown with no turnovers. Through 6 quarters played, Heinicke has a 62.8% completion rate, 565 yards passing, 3 throwing TDs, one INT, and 92.1 QB passer rating.

Terry McLaurin received no targets from Fitzpatrick but made a staple for Catch of the Year with a 37-yard sideline dime from Heinicke. Not a breakout game for McLaurin but we all know that is soon to change.

Antonio Gibson had a solid outing with 20 carries for 90 yards and caught 3 receptions for 18 but ultimately gave the Chargers the momentum late with a fumble. What sucks about the fumble is that, it was after a beautiful interception at a much-needed time for the Washington defense to make a statement and on the next possession Antonio Gibson fumbles in the Charger’s RedZone. LA capitalized on the opportunity with a TD and put Washington out of contention to win.

Washington falls at home to the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-16.

Fans and outside media were very quick to judge this performance but it is only the first game of the season. No one wants to lose in a Season Opener but at the end of the day, there must be a winner and a loser. Losers are defined by how they handle adversity and whether they can make the adjustments needed to move forward. Game One is out the window, time to reflect and move on to the next one!