Just when you think you have this team figured out….
Washington, who has been ravaged by injuries to virtually the whole starting offensive line, tight end Jordan Reed, receiver Jamison Crowder amongst countless others, were 8-point underdogs to Russell Wilson and the vaunted Seattle Seahawks at a blustery CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington. But somehow…someway, this team managed to pull out a 17-14 road victory in the most unimaginable way.
I…am…shocked.
I’m shocked because this effort was not the same effort we’ve seen the last couple of weeks.
I’m shocked because the offense didn’t do much but made play after play when it mattered most, especially the much-maligned quarterback Kirk Cousins.
I’m shocked because the defense literally gave up zero points for three quarters of inspired football.
Let’s not overstate this – this win was huge. Seattle has only lost seven times at home since 2012. The Seahawks were 37-6 at home in that span. The losses came against four division opponents, plus a 12-4 Dallas team and a 15-1 Carolina team. This Washington team is certainly not of that caliber.
Head coach Jay Gruden deserves a ton of credit having this team prepared to win a game no one – including most ardent fans – thought they could win. The run game could not get started at all, gaining just 51 yards on 23 carries with an average of 2.2 yards per carry. The passing game made plays when they needed to as the offensive line gave a yeoman’s effort.
The game basically came down to Kirk Cousins doing something we really didn’t think he could do: make winning throws. Second-year receiver Josh Doctson caught a tremendous 38-yard bomb with barely a minute left in the fourth quarter to put the team at the 1-yard line.
It was the kind of throw that we ALL have been waiting for Cousins to make and for Doctson to complete it, couldn’t have come at a better time.
Running back Robert Kelley’s second touchdown run left a little under a minute remaining for Wilson and the ‘Hawks offense to attempt a comeback. Washington fans, were desperately hoping that the team wouldn’t give up a touchdown – fans would have been satisfied if they just tied the game with a field goal after Seattle was able to drive down to the 38-yard line with a chance to get closer for a chip shot field goal.
But it didn’t happen.
Wilson tried to scramble and make a big play and was taken down and out of field goal range. A failed hail Mary ended one of the bigger upsets in the NFL this season and has invigorated everyone from the team to the fanbase.
