Finlay: Heinicke stock drops, WFT defense stock drops lower originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Washington Football Team took the field for a winnable home game, and almost immediately the disastrous deep passing defense showed up.
Saints QB Jameis Winston threw an interception on New Orleans' first possession, but then completed a 72-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing possession. From there, Washington fought back in the contest before giving up a laughable Hail Mary just before halftime.
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The second half saw worse defense and poor play from QB Taylor Heinicke. In the end, this was pretty ugly.
Stock up:
- About time - Chase Young got his first sack of the season and forced a fumble. While the defense was bad in this one, the defensive line was good. Young was always going to make plays, just took a little longer than expected to get started.
- Streaking - Antonio Gibson has scored a touchdown in three straight games and the second-year player found the end zone twice against the Saints. He's legit, and he's doing it with a stress fracture in his shin.
- Knocking them down - A week after missing two extra points in a tight win over Atlanta, Dustin Hopkins responded with a perfect day. Hop made all three of his field goal attempts and an extra point.
Stock down
- Secondary problems are primary - What's worse - a gigantic coverage bust on the second defensive series of the game or a Hail Mary just before halftime? Answer: They're both awful. The Washington secondary is a train wreck of miscommunications and wholesale changes need to be considered.
- Not today - Taylor Heinicke simply didn't have it on Sunday. His throws were late and high, he missed a bunch of open receivers and he threw a pair of the worst interceptions in recent Washington history. It was bad.
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