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The Washington Football Team got their 3rd win of the year today, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 20-9. This win ties them with the New York Giants, and puts them a half game back from the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington plays the Dallas Cowboys in 4 days on Thanksgiving that is way more important than it deserves to be given thei records.
Head Coach Ron Rivera said the game turned when Bengals QB Joe Burrow suffered what appears to be a season-ending injury to his left knee. The win feels good, and now they need to focus on the next one.
Washington Football Team | Postgame Press Conference https://t.co/xE9Gzz58gN
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) November 22, 2020
Joe Burrow:
Rivera opens the press conference by saying the team's thoughts and prayers are with Joe Burrow, who announced on Twitter he is out for the season after suffering a knee injury today.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Immediately after the game, head coach Ron Rivera had this to say: "We're very sorry for Joe Burrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. It's always tough when a young player gets hurt like that."
— Logan Campbell (@loganncampbelll) November 22, 2020
Game turned after Burrow's injury:
Rivera says game definitely changed when Burrow went out and adds that his defense took advantage
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 22, 2020
Rivera said the game turned with Burrow out. He said Burrow is a talented player, and with a backup in there who didn't receive the snaps, the defense was able to take advantage of that.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Getting the win:
Rivera happy for Alex Smith, who got his first win in two years since the injury.
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 22, 2020
Chase Young:
Some people may have been surprised @youngchase907 got all the way across the field to deliver THAT hit on Burrow... his coach was not #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/he6MAPabq3
— NBCSports Washington (@NBCSWashington) November 22, 2020
In the postgame @Russellmania621 asks Ron about the Washington Post article critical of Chase Young.
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) November 22, 2020
"I know who we have in terms of who the young man is and what he's going to do for us."
Rivera on Chase Young: "The only criticism I think he worries about besides (the coaching staff's) is his mom's."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 22, 2020
Ron Rivera said that the only person outside of the coaches that Chase Young worries about besides his coaches is his mother. Rivera said she's a heck of fan and has a certain expectation of her son.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 22, 2020
Thanksgiving game vs the Cowboys:
Washington will have another game in four days on Thanksgiving. With such an important game coming up on such a short turnaround, Rivera said it will be important to take care of the players.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Playing with a lead:
Rivera said the most important thing that happened for Washington was that once it got the lead, it was able to move the ball down the field, keep the chains moving and limited mistakes.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Alex Smith:
Alex Smith's stats weren't flashy, but Rivera liked the way he played: "Once we got the lead, it was about first downs and grinding it out. ... That's probably the most important thing that happened."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 22, 2020
Rivera said he likes to see the offense be more balanced. One of his favorite things to do is look at how many pass-catchers were targeted. Smith targeted seven players today, all of whom made at least one reception.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Division race:
With the Eagles losing against the Browns, Washington is now a half-game out of first place. Rivera said that right now, the focus needs to be on playing the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Washington Football Team | Players Postgame Press Conference https://t.co/CsLV49X6B6
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) November 22, 2020
Terry McLaurin
Joe Burrow injury:
Terry McLaurin is addressing the media. He said it sucks seeing Burrow go down, but especially seeing a friend leave the field with an injury is tough. He knows Burrow is a tough person and will come back stronger.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
McLaurin on Burrow: "Seeing that sucks, that was really tough....especially seeing a friend go down. It's tough."
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 22, 2020
McLaurin said in the NFL we are competitive but it's still a brotherhood. He said obviously they have their Ohio State brotherhood and you will always have that black 'O' close to your heart. He along with Haskins and Young have that with their ex college teammate Burrow.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) November 22, 2020
Appreciate the win:
McLaurin: "It's tough to win in this league. Anytime you can win, you appreciate it and learn from it."
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 22, 2020
Dallas Cowboys:
McLaurin said he'll take the day to celebrate this win, but starting tomorrow, all the focus is going to be on Dallas.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Chase Young:
On Chase Young's play that forced a fumble on Joe Burrow, McLaurin said Chase is relentless and doesn't give up on a play. Those are the type of plays they need, McLaurin said.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Alex Smith:
McLaurin said Alex Smith never makes the story about him. He doesn't get caught up in his comeback. He tried to keep everyone focused on the task at hand.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Success:
McLaurin on his success said he gets emotional because God has been so good to him in his life. He mentioned he was just happy to be drafted but he knew he could be more than a special teams guy. He said he just wants to make the fans, ownership, and his teammates proud.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) November 22, 2020
McLaurin said many people thought that he was just a special teams player, but he felt like he could be more. Now, McLaurin is a captain and is 129 yards away from his first 1,000-yard season. Consider the doubters proven wrong.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 22, 2020
Terry McLaurin is one of the leading receivers in the NFL, and he still talks as if he's a third-round rookie trying to prove himself as an offensive contributor. @WashingtonNFL found a really good one.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 22, 2020
Ronald Darby
Targeted early:
CB Ronald Darby said being targeted early in the game helped him lock in. He responded by making play after play for the @WashingtonNFL defense.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 22, 2020
Thanksgiving game vs the Cowboys:
Ronald Darby is asked about Thanksgiving and he mentions being away from his family, but... "They're going to have leftovers when I get back, so I'm not tripping."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 22, 2020
Antonio Gibson
Alex Smith:
RB Antonio Gibson said having a veteran at quarterback "changes the whole situation."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 22, 2020
Positive mindset:
RB Antonio Gibson said the team always has a positive mindset. They have been in a lot of close games and "it's all been on us." Still being in contention for the division provides extra hope.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 22, 2020
Trusting your reads:
Antonio Gibson said he feels like he's getting there as far as knowing and trusting his reads and getting better. He rushed for 96 yards on 16 touches and a TD today. pic.twitter.com/cNhdOLsVBP
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) November 22, 2020
Chase Young
Joe Burrow:
Chase Young on Joe Burrow: "I was definitely hurt man. I don't want to see anyone like that go down."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 22, 2020
DE Chase Young said he wanted to keep playing against a QB like Joe Burrow, who left the game with a leg injury.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 22, 2020
"I wanted to keep playing against Joe. I was hurt for Joe. You just never want to see that happen.
Chase Young said of Joe Burrow: "I was definitely hurt man... He's a dude."
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 22, 2020
Before Burrow left Young said to him, "I said I love you and get well. I pat him on the head and said a little prayer. Nothing else I could do."
Chase Young said he's hurt to see Joe Burrow go down because that's his guy. He mentioned knowing Joe he will be back tomorrow working through rehab to get back. He wanted to keep playing against him. He said he told Burrow he loved him when he was on the cart. pic.twitter.com/jjdVbAHl5s
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) November 22, 2020
Team win:
Young: "I felt like we had a lot more fun out there playing ball today as a group."
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 22, 2020
Room for improvement:
Chase Young, on his play so far this year: "You definitely haven't seen my best ball yet. I'll tell you that right now."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 22, 2020
Thanksgiving game vs the Cowboys:
"LeBron will be watching, everybody will be watching...it's time to get that money."
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 22, 2020
That's how Chase Young feels about playing on Thanksgiving
Steven Sims Jr.
Cincinnati:
Steven Sims at the podium:@Matthew_Paras: "Why a Cincinnati hat after playing Cincinnati?"
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) November 22, 2020
Sims: "Oh this is just for the swag. It's red. I didn't even realize that!" pic.twitter.com/0cum2qTb9J
Alex Smith
1st win since returning from injury:
Alex Smith on his first win in two years: "It felt really, really good. ... Another thing, I thought I'd never be doing again."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 22, 2020
Throwback uniforms:
Washington wore the throwback unis they wore when Alex Smith suffered his injury in 2018.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 22, 2020
"The last time I wore them, I got them cut off me in the ambulance," he said.
This time, he got a win — first since the injury.
Same unis, same week too, just before Thanksgiving.
Joe Burrow:
Alex Smith said it's tough to see an injury like that to Joe Burrow but he's a kid with a bright future. He said he is a fan of his game.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) November 22, 2020
Thanksgiving game vs the Cowboys:
Alex Smith said there is no need to think about games down the line. He said they have a huge division game on a short week on TG and that's where the focus should be.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) November 22, 2020
Ryan Kerrigan
Joe Burrow:
DE Ryan Kerrigan on Joe Burrow: "He's impressive man. He's got really good command of the offense."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 22, 2020
Trade rumors:
Ryan Kerrigan, on his name coming up in trade rumors before the deadline: "I've always wanted to be here, so seeing that is a weird feeling. But I'm glad I'm here."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 22, 2020
Ryan Kerrigan was asked if he requested a trade before the deadline. Said he'd "rather not get into that" and to instead focus on the team's win today.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 22, 2020
Thanksgiving game vs the Cowboys:
DE Ryan Kerrigan advises his teammates to start recovering immediately and treat tonight as if it is Monday. That's the best way to get ready for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 22, 2020
Chase Young:
Ryan Kerrigan, on @youngchase907: "Even though he is technically a rookie, we see him as a leader on this team."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 22, 2020
Before the game, Young got his teammates hyped in the huddle, a role assumed by veterans. https://t.co/KmklnFyelX