NFL Power Rankings 2020, Week 5: Double digit losses sink the Washington Football Team

Washington dropped last week after their loss to the Cleveland Browns. and they continue to move down the rankings following their 31-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They host a 3-1 Los Angeles Rams team that will bring the returns of Sean McVay and Kevin O’Conell. Washington opened as 10 point underdogs at home, but it has already moved to 7.5 after early action.

There is a narrowing range of opinions on what kind of team Washington is(and will be) this season, and the rankings show a range of anywhere from 21-31 as they enter Week 5. How low will Washington go if they have another double digit loss this week?

Rankings: 32

Highest Ranking: 21

Lowest Ranking: 31

Average Ranking: 28.4

21. Touchdown Wire

Perhaps the most remarkable part of Washington’s football Sunday was the tribute to head coach Ron Rivera. Diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) earlier this year, Rivera arrived at FedEx Field to see around 400 cardboard cutouts of some some rather prominent NFL names to raise over $30,000 for the American Cancer Society.

The game against the Ravens was not as inspiring. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who has been pushed to perform at an increasing rate by his coaches, completed 32 of 45 passes for 314 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 31-17 loss. It gets no easier for Rivera’s team next Sunday as they face the Rams. Last Week: 22

24. Sports Illustrated

That was one courageous effort coaching on Sunday from Ron Rivera Last Week: 28

25. Sporting News

Dwayne Haskins did respond to Ron Rivera’s challenge to keep his job, throwing for 314 yards and limiting mistakes against the Ravens. But the defense simply cannot hold up anymore with the offensive limitations, especially without Chase Young. Last Week: 20

26. ESPN

FPI chance to make playoffs: 10.2%

The reason it’s this high, of course, is because of their division. Still, Dallas is a botched onside kick away from being 0-4, so there shouldn’t be such a huge gap between the Cowboys and the rest of the division. But Washington’s overall youth and inexperience at quarterback makes it a long shot even in a bad division. If Washington receives more consistent quarterback play, it has a chance. Also: In the past 20 years, Washington has started 1-3 three times and hasn’t yet finished better than 6-10. Of course, that might win the division by a game this year. — John Keim Last Week: 25

26. Associated Press

Last Week: 24

26. New York Post

Last Week: 23

27. Fansided

Ron Rivera’s team had been humbled the previous two weeks by a pair of Heisman Trophy winning quarterback in Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield, respectively. Now they would face another award winner in Lamar Jackson as they hosted the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins played turnover-free football, throwing for 314 yards while also running for a score. But after a win over the Eagles, Washington dropped is third straight game. Last Week: 24

27. Betting Pros

Washington lost the least exciting game of the week to the Baltimore Ravens by 31-17. The final score does not indicate how much of a blowout this game really was, with the Ravens electing to go with RGIII up by three touchdowns late. Rookie Antonio Gibson continues to shine in his first season. He totaled 128 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown in the loss. Last Week: 23

27. Pro Football Talk

The sooner they switch to Alex Smith, they sooner they make a run at winning the weakest division in football. Last Week: 24

27. NumberFire

Last Week: 22

28. Washington Post

The team simply isn’t very good. But Ron Rivera’s determination and perseverance as he coaches through his cancer treatments should be inspiring to all. Last Week: 26

28. Chicago Tribune

The bright spots are few and far between, but rookie Antonio Gibson, a converted college wide receiver, is making some plays at running back. He rushed for 46 yards, including his third touchdown of the season, and caught four passes for 82 yards in a 31-17 loss to the Ravens. Last Week: 27

28. Heavy.com

Last Week: 23

29. Lineups

We were not expecting Washington to do well this week but they played better than I expected. Terry McLaurin is a legit star in the making as he destroyed a good secondary. Last Week: 27

29. Detroit Free Press

Last Week: 22

29. Draft Kings Nation

Last Week: 22

29. The Ringer

Last Week: 27

30. NFL.com(Hanzus)

What to make of Dwayne Haskins? The 2019 first-round pick set a career high with 314 yards passing (aided by a long strike to Terry McLaurin in garbage time), but too often, the former first-round pick threw short of the sticks in a one-sided loss to the Ravens. On a pivotal fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter, Haskins targeted Isaiah Wright on the sideline on a play that had virtually no chance of producing the desired outcome. As the offense exited the field, CBS cameras caught Ron Rivera — back to the camera — stomping toward the bench. You wonder what he was thinking. Last Week: 30

30. Bleacher Report

Not many people gave the Washington Football Team a chance in Week 4 against the high-flying Baltimore Ravens. Sure enough, Washington fell behind 14-0 and spent most of the afternoon in catch-up mode.

However, while Washington is now 1-3, there were a few reasons for a modest level of optimism in the loss.

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. didn’t throw a touchdown pass. He also didn’t turn the ball over, though, and he threw for 314 yards and posted a passer rating over 90.

Washington appears to have found something in rookie running back Antonio Gibson. Playing against one of the better defenses in the league, the former Memphis standout racked up 128 yards on 17 touches. Second-year receiver Terry McLaurin caught 10 passes for 118 yards.

But per Sobleski, reality has come crashing down in the nation’s capital.

“After a surprising victory to open the season,” he said, “Washington settled exactly where most expected the franchise to be: counted among the league’s worst squads. To make matters worse, the organization is already on the verge of giving up on last year’s 15th overall pick, quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. The franchise needs to take its lumps now because it’s not built to compete and reassess where it stands after the season.” Last Week: 24

30. Bleeding Green Nation

There’s some talk that Dwayne Haskins is in danger of getting benched for Kyle Allen. Don’t really see how that’s in the best interest of Washington’s long-term outlook but Haskins truly isn’t good. Maybe the Football Team wants to make a run at winning the very weak NFC East. Last Week: 27

30. USA Today

Even the locals are pretty down on this team given its current state of affairs. But pretty much everyone can agree about rooting for Ron Rivera. Last Week: 28

30. Athlon Sports

Think Chase Young would have helped against Lamar Jackson and company? While his absence was missed, so too was some offensive production aside from Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin. Last Week: 28

30. Yahoo(Schwab)

Dwayne Haskins Jr. threw for 314 yards and no interceptions against a good Ravens defense. Washington didn’t win, but it was a reasonably positive outing for Haskins, who needed one to improve his job security. Last Week: 29

30. CBS Sports (Prisco)

It’s going to be a long season. They just don’t have the players to win games. At least Dwayne Haskins played a little better against the Ravens. Last Week: 30

30. NESN

The NFC East has allowed the Football Team to stay in contention, which says more about the division than anything. Last Week: 30

30. Fansided(Verderame)

Dwayne Haskins was reasonably decent against Baltimore, but that wasn’t near enough. Last Week: 30

30. Radio.com

Last Week: 30

30. OddsShark

Last Week: 31

31. Pro Football Network

The Football Team walked into a buzzsaw against the Baltimore Ravens. But Washington does play hard though even late in games when the outcome has been decided. You have to think that Dwayne Haskins, particularly with his ability to find Terry McLaurin, made a strong case to remain as Washington’s starting quarterback as this were far and away from his best game of the year against a challenging defense.

That being said, much of his production came when this game was out of reach and Washington averaged under five yards per play on offense. We’ll see how they rebound next week and if they can make a move up the NFL Power Rankings list. Last Week: 30

31. Walter Football

Dwayne Haskins was so eager to avoid turnovers that he was willing to check down passes no matter what against the Ravens. He even checked down a pass on fourth down! The man was on a mission not to commit any turnovers, and he certainly succeeded in his effort. Last Week: 30

31. The Lines

Dwayne Haskins is reportedly under threat of getting benched for his poor play, yet managing 314 passing yards against an angry and talented Ravens defense is hardly grounds for relegation. Last Week: 30

31. Sportsnaut

No one really gave Washington much of a chance against the Ravens last week. In a pretty ho-hum manner, Ron Rivera’s squad lost the game by the score of 31-17. It’s Washington’s third consecutive defeat after the team earned a season-opening win over Philadelphia. This span has seen the burgundy give up nearly 32 points per game. Meanwhile, second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins has put up just four touchdowns compared to three interceptions at the quarter pole of the season. Last Week: 31