NFL Power Rankings 2020, Week 3: Washington’s loss to Arizona puts them in the bottom half of the league

Washington got smoked by the Cardinals on the road and are now 1-1. They were coming of an uplifting, come-from-behind win against the Eagles in their season opener in Week 1, but had a lot of their issues exposed in Arizona.

There is a wide range of opinions on what kind of team Washington is(and will be) this season, and the rankings show a range of anywhere from 17-32 as they enter Week 3. Washington travels to Cleveland this week to face the 1-1 Browns. These rankings could see a major shift in Week 4...

Rankings: 30

Highest Ranking: 17

Lowest Ranking: 32

Average Ranking: 24.3

17. Touchdown Wire

Yes, that would be your Washington Football Team leading the free world in Football Outsiders’ defensive efficiency metrics. How is this possible? Pass rush, for the most part. Each of the team’s five first-round defensive linemen (Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Ryan Kerrigan, and Jonathan Allen) has at least a sack and multiple pressures this season, though most of that came against the Eagles’ ill-prepared offensive line in Week 1.

The problem, especially as it pertained to Washington’s Week 2 loss to the Cardinals, is that the offense is working far behind the data curve — it ranks 30th in those same metrics, and you’re not going to beat Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury if your quarterback (one Dwayne Haskins) can manage just 19 completions in 33 attempts for 233 yards and one touchdown. Last Week: 15

18. Sporting News

Washington had a wake-up call against the Cardinals as it couldn’t stop Murray and Dwayne Haskins can’t do too much with limited help around him. Ron Rivera’s team overachieved against the Eagles, but it might take a while for another win with the Browns next on the road. Last Week: 16

18. New York Post

Last Week: 14

19. Fansided

The franchise was looking for its first 2-0 start since 2011 but found themselves in an early home in the desert. Washington was down 14-0 after 15 minutes of play and 20-0 at intermission. Jack Del Rio’s defensive unit surrendered 438 total yards – including 160 rushing. Offensively, second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins finished with 223 yards through the air and one touchdown. But he was sacked four times and lost a fumble. Last Week: 10

19. Draft Kings Nation

Last Wee: 16

20. Associated Press

Last Week: 19

21. Bleacher Report

In Week 1, the Washington Football Team was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL, erasing a 17-0 deficit to stun the Philadelphia Eagles.

There would be no miraculous comeback in Week 2. Washington fell behind the Arizona Cardinals 20-0 in the first half, and while the WFT made the score respectable in the second half, it was never a close contest.

There were at least some bright spots. Dwayne Haskins was decent again, throwing for 223 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin reeled in seven passes for 125 yards and a score. And edge-rusher Chase Young continued his hot start in the NFL, notching four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.

But Sunday’s trip to the desert was a reminder that while the team without a name may be headed in the right direction, it still has quite a bit of work to do.

Last Week: 19

21. Sports Illustrated

The fun might be over for Washington as they dip into the meat of their schedule, but this pass rush will complicate more than a few Sundays for young quarterbacks during the season. And is that enough to take them out of the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes?

21. Detroit Free Press

21. Heavy.com

22. NumberFire

23. Washington Post

The loss in Arizona should put expectations back more in line with where this team really is. It will play hard and be more competitive with Coach Ron Rivera in charge. But this team is limited offensively and even approaching a .500 season would be a major accomplishment. Last Week: 21

23. Pro Football Talk

They’re not the first nor the last to fall victim to the magic that is Kyler Murray. Last Week: 24

25. ESPN

Outside of Terry McLaurin, no one is really a strong fantasy play right now; but the one to watch remains Gibson. The rookie has rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in two games; as the season progresses, he’ll get more carries because this offense lacks playmakers — and he has the potential to become one. He has shown flashes and has come close to breaking long runs; eventually, he will break one or two. The confusing part is that the former college wideout has only caught three passes. That should improve. — John Keim Last Week: 24

25. Chicago Tribune

With Kyler Murray, Gardner Minshew, Joe Burrow and even Justin Herbert playing well Sunday, it’s troubling for Washington, which hitched its wagon to Dwayne Haskins.

25. Pro Football Network

The Washington Football Team got down early in Arizona and aren’t yet equipped to come from behind from a large deficit. Or are they? Washington came back big in Week 1 and scored all of their 15 points in the second half against the Cardinals. Also, it looks like Antonio Gibson is taking control of this backfield, which is exactly what you want to see. Dwayne Haskins is improving, and the arrow here is pointing up. Last Week: 27

25. Betting Pros

The Football Team fell back to earth in Week 2 against the Cardinals. Washington gave up 438 yards to the Cardinals’ offense, and despite the final score showing a two-score game, the game was never once that close. In better news, Dwayne Haskins continued to show signs of improvement, as he went 19-33 for 223 yards and one touchdown, while rookie running back Antonio Gibson found the end zone for the first time in his career. Last Week: 25

26. NFL.com(Hanzus)

The ferocious Washington pass rush was one of the biggest stories to come out of Week 1. But getting after Carson Wentz (to the tune of eight sacks) proved to be a far easier task than containing Kyler Murray, who ran for two scores and threw for another in a 30-15 Cardinals victory. The bigger concern for Washington in this game came on offense, however. The Dwayne Haskins attack was stuck in neutral as Arizona built a 20-0 lead by halftime. (Arizona hadn’t shut out a team in the first half since 2017.) The lone bright spot was second-year wideout Terry McLaurin, who finished with 125 receiving yards at a gaudy 17.9 yards per catch. Get that man some help. Last Week: 23

26. Bleeding Green Nation

Just don’t see this team seriously going anywhere with Dwayne Haskins leading the way. Last Week: 26

26. PressBox

Last Week: 26

27. USA Today

Seems like owner Dan Snyder is OK despite being quarantined. Maybe for everyone’s sake, he should consider extended (permanent?) isolation period. Last Week: 24

27. Athlon Sports

Did the defense watch any film of Kyler Murray running around? Like, at all? Didn’t seem like it at times as that once terrific front seven was sliced up on the road in another case of one step forward, two steps back in D.C. Last Week: 25

28. CBS Sports (Prisco)

They came back to reality against Arizona after their Week 1 upset of the Eagles. The defense had a rough showing. Last Week: 28

28. NESN

After a great comeback win over the Eagles, Washington came back down to Earth against Arizona. WFT probably will be able to hang around in a weak NFC East, however. Last Week: 27

28. The Ringer

29. Radio.com

Last Week: 29

30. Walter Football

Surprise, surprise, the Redskins didn’t play against a team missing three offensive linemen this week, so they ended up losing. The Redskins are one of the worst teams in the NFL, but that Week 1 victory threw everyone off the scent. If the Redskins were to play at Arizona in, say, Week 11, that line would be Cardinals -13, or something. Last Week: 25

30. Yahoo(Schwab)

It’s promising that Washington gave exciting rookie Antonio Gibson 13 of 22 running back carries. Teams like the Jets and Lions should not be giving carries to 30-something veterans, and at least Washington seems to understand it’s far more beneficial to see what Gibson has rather than giving Peyton Barber or J.D. McKissic more playing time. Last Week: 28

30. Yardbarker

Washington’s brilliant comeback win over Philadelphia in Week 1 game in to reality this past Sunday. Ron Rivera’s squad just isn’t talented enough to be competitive on a consistent basis. Washington was absolutely manhandled by the Arizona Cardinals, finding itself down 20-0 at the half. The one saving grace is that the team did not give up after halftime. That’s a testament to Mr. Rivera. Last Week: 30

32. OddsShark

Last Week: 32