The Takeways, Week 5: New Orleans at Washington
October 11, 2021
by Steve Thomas
Welcome to The Takeaways, week 5 edition, which is The Hog Sty’s effort to provide you with the big picture, “around the watercooler” story lines from each’s week’s Redskins Washington football game. This week, WFT Washington suffered a bad-looking loss to the mediocre New Orleans Saints. This contest featured a multitude of failures by both teams and was generally not a well-played game. I’ll address it all here, at least as much as I can stomach, so read on for this week’s Takeaways.
Terry McClaurin was dominated by Marshon Lattimore
I didn’t do any research on this, but off the top of my head, I don’t recall another game in which Terry McLaurin looked like he was up against a superior defender since he’s been in Washington. Certainly, he’s had games in which he didn’t put up big numbers, but for the most part, Lattimore got the better of McLaurin in man coverage Sunday, and I don’t remember that happening before this game. I pointed out in the game preview that this matchup was a key to the game and the most high-profile battle on the field, and the simple fact is that Lattimore won the day. Given the fact that the Saints have had one of the best run defenses in the league so far this season, plus the injuries to Washington’s receiving corps, the team needed McLaurin to have a big day. That didn’t happen, with McLaurin only having 4 receptions for 46 yards and no touchdowns on 11 targets, with Lattimore credited with 6 passes defended. Lattimore won; McLaurin lost. This was major factor in the Saints’ victory.
This was Taylor Heinicke’s worst game in Washington
Heinicke is a great story and a likeable, high-effort guy who is easy to root for, but let’s be honest and admit that this was his worst game in Washington, by far. His game stats were an abomination: just 20 completions in 41 attempts, 248 yards, no touchdowns, and 2 interceptions for a 47.6 quarterback rating. This isn’t just about the poor completion percentage and interceptions, either, although obviously that’s a big part it. Heinicke didn’t make good decisions, didn’t throw quality passes, and with the exception of one long drive in the fourth quarter, was largely unable to lead his team on long touchdowns drives in this game. In this contest, he didn’t look confident or comfortable, made poor decisions, and was more inaccurate than usual. Two of the keys to this game for Washington were McLaurin having a big day and Heinicke being an efficient passer. Neither of those things happened.
Secondary failures continue
This game once again featured major coverage busts by Washington’s secondary that resulted in touchdowns by the opposing team. This week, Landon Collins blew a deep coverage that resulted in a 72 yard touchdown pass to Deonte Harris. Washington also left Marquez Calloway open in the end zone on what appeared to be a coverage assignment mixup between William Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste. Finally, to top it off, Washington allowed Jameis Winston to convert a Hail Mary touchdown on the final play of the first half, again to Calloway, with Kendall Fuller and William Jackson, at a minimum, making very little effort to knock the ball down in the end zone. It was a poor effort all around by a unit that hasn’t done much to inspire confidence all year. I don’t know what the answer is – I understand those of you screaming for the coaching staff to do something, but honestly: what are they supposed to do? These mistakes today, like most weeks, are on the players. Who should be benched in favor of a better option?
Linebacker failures continue
Washington’s linebacker group is essentially down to just one player who can perform even at a league-average level, Cole Holcomb. Rookie first round pick Jamin Davis has been a complete zero so far this year, looking confused and lost. This continued Sunday, and the Saints repeatedly picked on the linebackers – with only two at most on the field for most of the game, and oftentimes just one – with passes aimed specifically at this weakness. I realize Jonathan Bostic wasn’t having a good year when he went down, but he was also far from the biggest problem in this position group. His loss for the season has left an even bigger gap in another huge weakness on Washington’s defense.
Don’t give the defensive line too much credit
Certainly, the defensive front four was able to get some pressure on Jameis Winston in this game, but at the end of the day, this group of four first round picks who were supposed to be one of the very best units in the NFL only got two sacks against an injured, mediocre offensive line protecting a fairly immobile quarterback. Yes, they did better on Sunday, but they once again didn’t make a huge impact on the game, certainly not nearly enough to be a difference maker. Chase Young finally got his first sack of the year, so he and Montez Sweat now collectively have a total of four on the year. Washington needed to put Winston under significant pressure in this game, and while the results were better than in previous games, they still didn’t get home nearly enough and were part of the problem, not the solution. The Saints’ 33 points was a team failure, not just a secondary failure.
Bonus Takeaway: Dustin Hopkins watch
The kicker who many Washington fans love to hate, Dustin Hopkins, was 3 for 3 on field goals and is now 10 for 11 on the year. He also converted his one extra point and is 9 for 11 on the year.
That’s it for this week. I’ll back back with another edition of The Takeaways after Washington’s blowout loss to game against the two-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs at Fed Ex Field next week.