The New Orleans Saints lead the Washington Football Team 20-13 at halftime in Week 5 action from FedEx Field.
The game was actually tied at 13 with nine seconds remaining in the first half when Saints quarterback Jameis Winston dropped back for a last-second hail-mary attempt that wide receiver Marquez Callaway came down with for a ridiculous 49-yard touchdown to end the half.
JAMEIS COMPLETES THE HAIL MARY TD TO MARQUEZ CALLAWAY! 😱
(via @Saints) pic.twitter.com/wYVb7h7TFs
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 10, 2021
Washington covered the hail mary about as poorly as you can.
The play which ended the half was, unfortunately, a microcosm for Washington’s first half. Washington’s defense forced two turnovers, yet the offense struggled to make the Saints pay, despite the Saints’ best efforts to aid Washington.
Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke did not have a good first half. He missed some throws high, had a poorly thrown interception, and missed multiple wide-open wide receivers as he appeared locked into Terry McLaurin.
Washington’s running game struggled to get going in the first half as Antonio Gibson has 11 carries for 26 yards and a touchdown.
The good news for Washington is Chase Young picked up his first sack of the season, and head coach Ron Rivera certainly hopes that’s the first of many for Young.
Washington will receive the ball to open the second half, but it needs more efficiency from Heinicke. Two holding penalties on first down killed Washington drives before they even got started in the first half, and a William Jackson III 15-yard penalty aided the Saints on one scoring drive.
Heinicke needs to play better in the second half, but Washington’s defense must step up. That could be asking too much considering this season’s results thus far.
