What's Washington's Best Path to Playoffs?

With four NFC East matchups left, the WFT needs to rely on its run game

Despite all the injuries and COVID-19 cases hitting the Washington Football Team, one thing that hasn't changed is how well its run game can work.

Washington has out-rushed its opponents 122.5 to 93.6 yards per game this season. As a result, its time of possession has thrived and has kept quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Russell Wilson off the field. 

The WFT ran for 159 more yards than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks in those matchups. Washington's offense held on to the ball a combined 42 minutes and 16 seconds longer, too. 

Most importantly, the WFT won both those matchups.

"[Antonio Gibson] is really coming in to his own as far as just playing with the physicality that you look for in a 230-pound plus back," offensive coordinator Scott Turner said. "He's making himself hard to tackle. There's been glimpses of it, but really that's becoming who he is, which is great to see."

Gibson is the third-highest rusher in the NFC and ranked No. 8 in the NFL with 836 yards. Obviously he needs to hold onto the ball, as another fumble got him benched during last week's 27-20 loss to the Cowboys.

The WFT came back from a 24-0 deficit against the Cowboys, but quarterback Taylor Heinicke also could've been picked off four more times. While the offense has to be thankful for quarterback Taylor Heinicke and wide receiver Terry McLaurin and their performances this season, the run game is what holds the offense together. 

"When you can run the ball, it helps everybody out," Heinicke said. "But especially myself, it's nice handing the ball off to the AG and seeing him do his thing."

Washington and the Eagles are both 6-7 as they enter the Tuesday 7 p.m. ET game. The WFT isn't yet certain of its QB availability due to COVID. But the ground game? That can be ... needs to be ... relied upon tonight.