The Washington Football Team is almost to the fourth quarter of the season with a 4-7 record and still in the midst of an improbable playoff run. The stretch run is here and starts today against the 11-0 Pittsburgh Steelers. Depending on which prognosticator is speaking, Washington has a better than average chance to sneak into the playoffs in a weak division. If the Burgundy and Gold do that, the team will need its best players and units to step up over the next five weeks.
With that in mind, here are three players that hold some value in fantasy leagues and could be in play today.
RB Antonio Gibson
Forget the whole hybrid, by committee, part-time thing. Antonio Gibson is becoming an every-down back. Another three-touchdown day like Gibson had against the Dallas Cowboys more than likely won’t happen against the vaunted Steelers. Still, if Washington wants to have a shot, they will have to run the ball effectively and be useful in the short passing game. Gibson isn’t just running the ball effectively; he’s a receiving threat out of the backfield. The former Memphis standout caught five balls against the Cowboys in addition to his 115 yards on the ground. Look for him to be the focus of the Washington offense again this week.
Washington Defense
A surprise?
Not really! This game looks to be a low scoring affair. The stats of these two units are closer than a congressional race in Iowa. Pittsburgh’s defense is giving up 3,288 yards of offense this year, Washington has given up 3,405. The Steelers have given up 2,125 passing yards, Washington has given up 2,141.
Rushing yards?
1,163 yards for Pittsburgh and 1,264 for Washington.
Turnovers could decide the game and low scoring means bonus points in both leagues. Take the defense.
TE Logan Thomas
The quarterback turned tight end from Virginia Tech probably isn’t going to get you points throwing passes again this week, but he’s becoming a bigger threat as a pass-catching target every week. The more you watch him on film, the more you have to like him. Comparing him to Travis Kelcie isn’t fair, obviously, but he does his job well. He catches what comes at him and gets yards.
The Washington game plan will have to keep star defensive lineman TJ Watt away from QB Alex Smith. That means a heavy dose of running and a lot of short passes which favor Thomas.