WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM Season Recap Washington’S Top 5 Moments from the 2020 Season
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WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM Season Recap Washington’s Top 5 moments from the 2020 season By Zach Selby organization has been around for a 4. Washington Upsets learning how to play, with some vet- really long time, seen a lot of really Undefeated Steelers erans sprinkled in there at the right he Washington Football productive players come through. Washington was starting to find positions, and I think that we’re Team’s season is officially To be at the top of that list is pretty some momentum after grinding out growing and we’re learning.” over, and there were special for me.” a win over the Cincinnati Bengals Things started to fall apart for plenty of moments that Kerrigan’s first sack came on the and blowing out the Dallas Cow- Pittsburgh from there. Its follow- will stay with fans for Eagles’ second drive of the game; boys on Thanksgiving. It seemed ing drive ended with a turnover years to come. he rushed into the backfield un- like the young team was making on downs at Washington’s 28-yard TBetween improbable come- touched, which made quarterback progress, but it was about to face its line, which allowed Smith and the backs, records being broken, playoff Carson Wentz backpedal and turn toughest test yet against the unde- offense to march down the field droughts ending and sensational to avoid the pressure. Wentz slipped feated Pittsburgh Steelers. and take a lead with a 45-yard field plays from unlikely players, Wash- out of a sack from Montez Sweat, Washington was a six-point goal. Then, after not forcing a sack ington found a way to endure an but Kerrigan was there waiting to underdog heading into the Monday all game, Washington’s defensive unprecedented season and start bring him down for a 10-yard loss. night game, and it looked like the line found a way to impact the game head coach Ron Rivera’s regime on Kerrigan’s next sack -- the one Steelers were going to blow past with a tipped pass from Sweat, a positive note. Here are the team’s that allowed him to surpass Manley that mark. Although there were which was then intercepted by Jon top five moments from the season. -- came in the fourth quarter with some great moments -- like Young Bostic. the score tied at 17-17. This time, and the defense stopping Pittsburgh Washington added another field 5. Ryan Kerrigan Breaks Kerrigan plowed through two at the goal line in the second quar- goal four plays later, to secure a Official Sack Record Eagles players and grabbed Wentz’s ter -- Pittsburgh still held a 14-0 lead 23-17 victory over the NFL’s last It was essentially a foregone jersey to get the 92nd sack of his with just under four minutes left in undefeated team. conclusion that Ryan Kerrigan was career. the first half. “I told them it was well earned,” going to surpass Dexter Manley as Once the game had ended, Chase But just as it had done all season, Rivera said. “We talked about the the franchise’s all-time official sack Young called Kerrigan “a dude,” Washington refused to give in. A 49- biggest thing, more so than any- leader. All he needed was 1.5 sacks saying that his effort and ability to yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins thing else, is your reputation, your to become Washington’s most ef- make plays made him special. Even made the score 14-3 at halftime, and record. When you get on the field, ficient pass-rusher. The only ques- though Kerrigan had fewer op- then Washington went on a 14-play those things don’t matter. What tion that remained was how long portunities to impact the game this drive to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to matters is who plays the best and I thought our guys played pretty dog- gone good today.” 3. Taylor Heinicke Erupts MES During Wild Card Weekend i T No one knew what to expect out n of backup Taylor Heinicke, who GTO went from taking classes at Old in SH Dominion to starting in a playoff a game in about a month. It is safe to say that no one could have antici- pated him to throw for 306 yards and put Washington in position to T TO THE W T TO n upset Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “I have nothing but respect for PPLEME u number four,” Terry McLaurin said G S after the game. “The way he came MES in i S in and handled his business on a i T T n r moment’s notice when we found VE Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) dives to score a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers GTO out that Alex wasn’t going to be able in ad inside linebackers Kevin Minter (51) and Lavonte david (54) during the second half of an nFL wild-card playoff football to go. He was just prepared for the L SH ia game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (aP Photo/Julio Cortez) moment. That’s what this league a is about, being prepared for your SPEC moment.” THE W a | would it take. season, he made do with the snaps four points. The Steelers responded Heinicke brought new dimen- The answer was one game. Ker- available to him, and he earned with a field goal, but Alex Smith hit sions to Washington’s offense rigan led Washington’s eight-sack Rivera’s respect for that. Logan Thomas on a 15-yard touch- -- among them deep vertical passes performance against the Philadel- “Coming off the bench and being down to tie the score in the fourth and elusive mobility -- and they phia Eagles with two of his own, fresh and getting two sacks,” Rivera quarter. flashed throughout the game. Four- capping each play with his “HBK” said, “and causing a couple of other “We talked about fighting,” teen of Heinicke’s passes resulted celebration that fans have come to plays out there to happen just Rivera said after the game. “There’s in double-digit gains, and he led the love. speaks to who he is as a young man no reason to stop playing. It doesn’t team with six rushes for 46 yards. “It meant a lot. It’s pretty crazy,” and what he means to our franchise matter what the score is. I just His biggest highlight came in the Kerrigan said after Washington’s going forward.” think that’s who they are. These Friday • January 29 • 2021 • January Friday season-opening 27-17 win. “This are a bunch of young guys that are » see MOMENTS | C3 2 Quarterback alex Smith drops back to pass during the Washington Football Team’s 20-14, nFC East-clinching win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 3, 2021. (Washington Football Team) to Smith making his return two an opportunity.” in the first quarter. MOMENTS years after his life-threatening leg Smith could not play in three of The game was more of a grind From page C2 injury. Washington’s final four games, as from there. Eagles quarterback Smith made tremendous he was dealing with a calf injury, Jalen Hurts scored back-to-back third quarter when he miraculously progress in the months leading up but the 36-year-old veteran had rushing touchdowns to take a 14-10 avoided pressure and dove into the to him coming in for an injured already proven he could defy the lead, but Smith and the offense end zone for an eight-yard touch- Kyle Allen against the Los Angeles odds and help lead Washington to responded seconds before half- down that made the score 18-16. Rams in Week 5. He was cleared the playoffs. No matter what Smith time with a 15-yard touchdown to “He’s a true pro,” Morgan Moses for contact by team doctors and does with his future, his accom- Thomas to make the score 17-14. said. “I can’t tell you why he was on then showed he could handle a plishment will go down as one of The offense was only able to score the street before we picked him up controlled pass rush in training the greatest in sports history. three points for the rest of the a because obviously you see him out camp. All that work came to a head “I had so much fun this year, es- game, but the defense forced two SPEC there playing today. He has every when Smith jogged onto the field pecially given all the COVID stuff,” turnovers and a turnover on downs quality of a football player that you in the second quarter and finished Smith said. “To be back in the to maintain Washington’s lead. ia L want. I’m just glad we got him.” the game. locker room, to be with the guys, to “I’ve got a lot of faith in what ad Heinicke was forced to exit the “It was great to be out there,” be playing a game I love and to lose our defense is doing,” Rivera said VE r game after injuring his shoulder, Smith told reporters. “The feeling, yourself in it, it’s one of the greatest after the 20-14 win. “It’s interest- T i S but he came back on the next drive the range of emotions -- the good feelings in the world. You cannot ing because we’ve come out in the in to hit Steven Sims Jr. for an 11-yard and the bad -- is why I fought so duplicate it outside of here.” first half and our defense has really G S touchdown with five minutes left hard to come back.