Burgundy & Gold Reaction: The Complete Game

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November 15, 2021

by David Earl

First Half Dominance

Minus the ill-advised and unnecessary face-mask which produced a last second FG for Tampa, the first half was Washington’s best defensive performance of the year. The defense, like Alex and Steve eluded to on the pregame podcast show, got to Brady early and often, making him very uncomfortable in the pocket. The only true shot Washington had to win was if the defense executed with perfection, and they were able to get 2 turnovers and caused many rushed throws to fall incomplete. The secondary was definitely a pleasant surprise, but the biggest notes from this game have to be the fact that Montez Sweat didn’t play, and Chase Young‘s injury in the second quarter. This defense was just dialed in, and while quality teams will occasionally drop a game to bad teams, this game was just different. Throughout the second half, when Brady began to turn it up, the offense kept countering while the defense still continued to make key stops all game. This wasn’t just a great team having an off day – it was a bad team with real, quality talent finally answering the call. This win doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a turning point for the season, but it does set a tone going forward.

Tough as Nails Scary Terry

When it counted most during the drive of the year, 3rd and 5 in the red zone with just over 3 minutes left, Terry McLaurin made what could have been THE CATCH of his career. At this early stage of his career, the debates have been whether McLaurin is an elite top-tier wide receiver while he’s continued to show his elite route-running skills and homerun threat ability. This catch, at least in my own opinion, unquestionably vaulted Terry into the elite category, and he will only get better. As young wide receivers like D.K. Metcalf (Russell Wilson), Justin Jefferson (Kirk Cousins), and CeeDee Lamb (Dak Prescott) have had the luxury of steady good quarterback play, Terry has fallen victim to a terrible carousel at the position. Even with that carousel, he’s managed over 2,000 yards in his first 2 seasons and is currently well on his way to a 90+ reception, 1,100 yard season. Terry has always been a productive fan favorite and locker room leader but this catch proved that Terry is one of the core foundational players around whom the team must build.

Let’s Close on THE DRIVE!!!

For as great of a performance the defense gave Sunday, this final drive of the game is not only the defining drive of this game but for the entire season. With just under 11 minutes left and up by four, Washington’s offense took the field knowing they could not allow Brady, who was heating up, back on the field. In a season filled with miscues on offense and a poor 3rd down conversion rate, Taylor Heinicke was absolutely flawless on a drive in which Washington converted four 3rd downs. This drive was a testament to the heart of this team that we’ve questioned all year long. It could be the moment of this treacherous season we refer to as the turning point for this team, not necessarily in terms of a playoff run as that will require a near miracle but how the season finishes and the potential momentum going into the 2022 season. Let’s also not get caught up in the “We are ruining our draft position” argument for a franchise quarterback because I am pretty sure that the Kansas City Chiefs able to position themselves for a star franchise quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. Before you also say “There is no Mahomes in this draft”, well, Mahomes as we know him today was never projected as the elite franchise guy that he became. In fact, many saw him as an early second-rounder who had much to work on, yet here he is today one of the best young players in the league. So let’s not lament on losing draft position and just enjoy this game, THE DRIVE, and the miraculous win we witnessed against the great Tom Brady.