Despite Win in Atlanta, Time to Hit Panic Button for Washington Defense?
Coming into the season, the Washington Football Team was expected to win games with its defense.
In 2020, the team allowed the fourth-fewest points and the second-fewest yards in the NFL. But in 2021 it's been a hideous flip-flop, as WFT is surrendering the third-most points and the fourth-most yards.
Thankfully, quarterback Taylor Heinicke was able to bail out the defense on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter for the second time in three weeks and allow WFT to improve to 2-2.
READ MORE: Washington Football Team QB Taylor Heinicke Beats Odds
Rarely do you see a team win for the absolute opposite reason it was intended, but that's been the story for the WFT in the first month of the season. Its predicted strength has been is weakness.
On third down Washington ranks 31st in the league, allowing conversions nearly 60 percent of the time. When you boast a front seven that features Chase Young, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat, those numbers are unacceptable.
The one metric that stands out for the WFT defense is a lack of turnovers. Last season, the team took the ball away 35 times, but this season it forced just one takeaway through four games.
The lack of big-play, game-changing ability in the defense is leading to extended drives and, ultimately, points for opposing offenses.
Young, who last year recorded 7.5 sacks in winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is yet to produce his first this season. And to think, during training camp he and Sweat were dreaming of a record-breaking season. Last year the duo combined for 16.5 sacks, and were publicly stating a goal of breaking the NFL's 32-year-old mark of 39 sacks between two teammates.
Through four games, they have two.
The reason why there should be concern is because the team has several quarterbacks left on its schedule that love to take care of the ball. Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers will face this defense later this month, while Tom Brady and Russell Wilson get dates with it in November.
However, Washington has two wins through four weeks. Last season, it didn't see its second win until Week 7, so it is on a better path compared to last season.
CONTINUE READING: Resiliency Carries Washington Past Atlanta