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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Bryan Manning

Washington rises in the USA TODAY NFL power rankings

It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster season for the Washington Football Team. At 2-2, Washington’s record is what many expected through four games. How Washington has arrived at its record through four games is the surprising part.

Washington’s offense is averaging over 25 points per game, while its defense is one of the worst in the NFL. Yes, you read that correctly.

Washington picked up its second win of the season on Sunday by defeating the Atlanta Falcons, 34-30, due to more late-game heroics by quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

So, it’s no surprise that Washington moves up in the latest installment of the USA TODAY NFL power rankings. Washington, which was No. 23 last week, moves up three spots to No. 20 this week.

Here’s what Nate Davis said about Washington:

20. Washington (23): DE Chase Young has zero sacks and his vaunted D-line mates have a total of six. An offensively challenged team needs far more support.

Davis is right about the defense. Washington’s offense needs far more support from the defense. We are still waiting for that first breakthrough performance from the defense.

However, we’ll disagree about the offense being “offensively challenged.” No, Washington isn’t Dallas on offense, but this group has some standout players such as Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas, Antonio Gibson and Curtis Samuel. Heinicke under center is getting the most out of this group, and Washington was the only team who remotely challenged Buffalo’s defense.

And Washington’s offensive line is legit good.

The Washington Football Team returns home this week to host the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 action. USA TODAY has the Saints at No. 13 in this week’s power rankings.

 

 

 

 

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