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It was a rough first half, but it turns out the rumors about the Washington Football Team’s defense may be true. Prior to today, the largest comeback the WFT had ever had against the Eagles was a 16 point comeback in 1955. Today, the team overcame a 17 point deficit, scoring 27 unanswered points on the strength of their defense, which had 8 sacks and 3 turnovers.
FINAL: Washington 27, Philadelphia 17
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 13, 2020
Washington's defense takes control and the offense capitalizes on key stops to storm back and give Washington its first win of the season. Ron Rivera said his team wouldn't quit and for this game, he was right.
Ron Rivera received a therapeutic IV during halftime to assist with his cancer treatment. No report on whether that’s an NFL first.
Ron Rivera says the IV at halftime was planned and he is fine....
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 13, 2020
Says of the 4th down call in a 17-17 game that they came to win a football game.
That's @RiverboatRonHC in a big spot #WashingtonFootball fans@WSHFootballSI @LockedWFTPod
There was concern that the absence of Kendall Fuller, who was inactive for the game, would cause a problem for the WFT secondary. Both Fabian Moreau and Jimmy Moreland stepped up in a big way, each roping in an interception to help spur the team’s comeback.
Ron Rivera says kudos to Fabian Moreau on getting the momentum started. The team felt they were close on those two forced fumbles the team didn't recover.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 13, 2020
The defensive line played as advertised, including Old Man Kerrigan, who collected two sacks, to get to 92 and pass Dexter Manley’s team record. Matt Ioannidis and Chase Young both had 1.5 sacks, Jon Bostic and Montez Sweat had 1, and Jon Allen and Daron Payne both had .5 sacks.
Hey NFL..... @youngchase907 has arrived pic.twitter.com/O1EV6kegTz
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 13, 2020
Chase Young only had 1.5 sacks, two sack-fumbles (including the game-sealer), and a hit on an interception that didn't count because of a penalty in his debut. Slow start. Not that noticeable. Don't worry, he'll get better. pic.twitter.com/YWiRPckRfm
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 13, 2020
Dwayne Haskins had a rough first half, and missed on a few passes, but seemed to play his best under pressure and with an up tempo gameplan like the team implemented at the end of the first half. Just before halftime, Haskins found TE1, Logan Thomas for a critical touchdown.
During halftime, he apparently pumped up his teammates. In the second half, he played a largely error-free style of football that took advantage of short fields provided by the defense and added the points necessary to secure the win.
Haskins said the drive before halftime helped him find his rhythm. That was the drive following the Fabian Moreau interception. It ended with a TD pass to Logan Thomas.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 13, 2020
Ron Rivera said he had to get an IV at halftime and Dwayne Haskins gave the halftime speech to his teammates.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 13, 2020
We even got to see a little “Riverboat Ron” where the head coach rolled the dice on a late fourth a short. The drive would be capped by a second Peyton Barber touchdown.
Prior to Washington's final touchdown of the game, Rivera elected to go for a critical fourth down. That was him showing the team that he believed in them to get the job done.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 13, 2020
First win as our Head Coach
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 13, 2020
This is only the BEGINNING. pic.twitter.com/78eNhvvBiA