The Washington Football Team picked up their biggest win of the season on Sunday in a 29-19 upset over the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It was the type of performance many expected from Washington all season. However, an injury to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick combined with an underachieving defense dampened the hopes of Washington fans through the first half of the NFL season.
In the win over the Buccaneers, quarterback Taylor Heinicke played his best game of the season, outplaying the legendary Tom Brady. At the same time, Washington’s defense held the Bucs to a season-low 273 total yards.
How did Washington’s big win impact it in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings?
Washington moves up four positions to No. 24 this week. Here’s what Nate Davis said about Washington:
24. Washington (28): Their best win of the season, a surprising upset of the Bucs, was diluted by the loss of their best player after DE Chase Young tore his ACL. Welp, should help them rise up the draft board to fix their QB issue if nothing else.
The loss of Young is a devasting blow to a Washington defense that has been playing well for the past month. However, Young isn’t Washington’s best defender, at least not yet. That honor belongs to defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
Washington faces the Carolina Panthers in Week 11. Can the team go on a winning streak and climb even higher in next week’s power rankings?
