The Washington Football Team knew that their Week 4 contest against the Baltimore Ravens would be more than just a regional rival. Both teams had something to prove after lackluster performances in Week 3 losses.
Washington entered the game with a record of 1-2 after last weekends loss to the Cleveland Browns.
The Ravens were thoroughly outplayed Monday night by the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs and needed to have an excellent bounce-back game.
Baltimore returned to their winning ways by snapping a Washington two-game winning streak over them by winning at FedEx-Field 31-17.
Here are three things that we learned about Washington in the defeat.
1. WR Terry McLaurin is a Legit No.1 Target
McLaurin came into the game having five consecutive games where he produced 60 yards or more on pass catches. Today he recorded his six in a row in dominant fashion against Pro Bowl Baltimore cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey.
McLaurin has been one of the few bright spots on Washington’s offense, and opposing defenses have been gearing towards him, but he still is producing bigtime numbers.
I can’t say it enough, but Terry McLaurin is a dog who continues to prove he can be a legit No. 1 WR. He’s posting numbers on a weekly basis when defenses know he’s one of the only threats on Washington’s offense. I don’t want to hear those are meaningless catches.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) October 4, 2020
Against the Ravens, he pulled in 10 catches for 118 yards on 14 targets.
If Washington can find a complementary receiver outside of McLaurin, there’s no telling how dominant the second-year player out of Ohio State can become.
On the season, McLaurin has amassed 26 catchers for 387 yards and a touchdown.
2. RB Antonio Gibson is Emerging
Gibson had his most productive day as a pro. The first-year player finished the contest against Baltimore with 13 carries for 46 yards rushing and 82 yards receiving on four receptions.
The former Memphis product has now produced touchdowns in his last three games.
Antonio Gibson has now scored in 3 straights games. The rookie is starting to find a rhythm and settling in as another option in Washington’s offense.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) October 4, 2020
With McLaren being the teams’ obvious go-to weapon, if Gibson can continue his growth, it would give Washington a nice one-two punch as it waits for quarterback Dwayne Haskins to develop.
Through four games, Gibson has produced 186 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and 10 catches for 98 yards.
3. CB Kendall Fuller Has Made an Immediate Impact
Over the first two weeks of the season, Washington’s secondary was victimized by big plays by the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
Last weekend against the Cleveland Browns, Fuller made his debut for Washington and his second stint with the club. His presence has been a calming force for Washington’s secondary.
Against the Ravens, Fuller intercepted two passes and helped Washington keep Baltimore’s receivers in check for most of the game.
Fuller brings a championship pedigree to a young Washington defense after winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs last year. The former Virginia Tech All-American will continue to give Washington’s secondary, which has been considered the weak-link of the defense, a boost.
With his emergence and the pending return of rookie defensive lineman Chase Young who sat out today’s game with a groin injury, Washington may finally see their defense play to its’ full potential.