The Washington Football Team is leaving Las Vegas with a dramatic 17-15 win over the Raiders off the legs of new kicker Brian Johnson. Johnson, attempting his first field goal in a Washington uniform, knocked down the go-ahead 48-yarder with 37 seconds remaining.
1. Ron Rivera showed the utmost confidence in Johnson
Brian Johnson is Washington’s fourth kicker of the season. They went through the first two — Dustin Hopkins and Chris Blewitt — because of struggles. The third Joey Slye proved to be a good find but he suffered a hamstring injury last week, landing him on injured reserve.
So forgive head coach Ron Rivera if he was shaky about allowing Johnson the opportunity to attempt such a pressured field goal. Yet, with the game on the line, Rivera turned to Johnson.
The kick drifted to the right, but in the end all that matters is the football stayed in between the goal post. Never a doubt, right?
When a team gets hot like Washington is, everything seemingly goes right. The coach pushes the right buttons at the right time. Sunday, turning to Johnson was the right call by Rivera.
2. Taylor Heinicke almost threw away the game
Johnson’s go-ahead field goal almost didn’t happen. That’s because Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke living dangerously almost spoiled the comeback attempt.
Heinicke, who had thrown an interception on the previous offensive drive, hung a pass short to Adam Humphries. Raiders safety Trevor Moehrig jumped the pass putting his hands on the football. But he couldn’t reel in the interception.
Heinicke threw shaky passes throughout the game that he was fortunate didn’t crush Washington’s chances. That near interception to Meohrig would have. But it didn’t. Washington and Heinicke survived the play leading to Johnson’s clutch kick.
Heinicke finished the game completing 23-of-30 passes for 196 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. But one has to be concerned if Heinicke will go to the well one too many times down the road as Washington clamors for a playoff berth.
3. Washington grinds out another win behind defense and ball control offense
Washington has found their identity during this four-game win streak. Their defense has awakened. So has their run game. On Sunday both teams were missing key players.
Washington leaned heavily on running back Antonio Gibson without his spell and receiving back JD McKissic, who missed the game with a concussion. Gibson grinded through 23 carries and 88 yards. He added five catches for 23 yards, including a huge touchdown in the third quarter.
Gibson has carried the football at least 23 times in three of the last four games. Once again Washington controlled the time of possession holding on to the football for 33:43 of the game.
That’s a dynamic that has benefited their embattled defense in recent weeks. Washington’s defense held the Raiders to 15 points. It’s the same point total allowed a week again in their win over the Seahawks.
Yes, the Raiders were missing some key players, such as tight end Darren Waller. They also lost running back Kenyan Drake early in the game. But, Washington was without their emerging safety/linebacker hybrid Landon Collins. They rose to the occasion slowing down Derek Carr and the Raiders offense.
4. Washington hottest team in NFC
Don’t look any further, but Washington is the hottest team in the NFC with their four consecutive wins. It’s a streak that started with an upset win over the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. By the way, the Buccaneers haven’t lost a game since.
Washington has surged into the playoff picture. The Football Team is 6-6 and currently in the sixth seed. What may be more important is they’re two games out of first place in the NFC East with two games in the next three weeks against the 8-4 Dallas Cowboys who are atop of the division.
No one wants to face a red-hot team whom has found their identity.
5. Bring on Dallas and the rest of the NFC East
Speaking of Dallas, all of Washington is chanting “We want Dallas!”
They’ll get them soon enough. Next week Washington hosts Dallas in a pivotal game that will go a long way to Washington’s bid for the playoffs. The meeting will be the first of five straight games against NFC East foes.
The Cowboys, ironically, are struggling to find their identity. Washington loves their chances against the reeling Cowboys. For Washington, their season will be defined by the final five games of the season. Let’s give Rivera and his team credit getting into this position especially after a dreadful 2-6 start.
