Friday, November 26, 2021

Washington Football Team Week 12 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Washington Football Team rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 22 (22nd)
  • Best ranking: 20 (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 23 (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 12 roundup for Washington in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 23

Most memorable Thanksgiving game: RG III puts on a show in 38-31 win over Cowboys on Nov. 22, 2012

Electrifying rookie Robert Griffin III entertained a national audience in a 38-31 win over Dallas -- the first time Washington had defeated the Cowboys on Thanksgiving (they're now 2-8 vs. Dallas on the holiday). Griffin had shown he could run all season, but in this game it was his arm that torched Dallas. Griffin threw four touchdown passes, including three in a 28-point second quarter. With Dallas focused on the zone run reads, Griffin attacked them with play-action: He completed 6 of 9 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns with this look. That it happened in Griffin's home state and near where he played college ball at Baylor made it all the more fun for the eventual offensive rookie of the year. -- John Keim

NFL.com -- Rank: 21

Washington doesn't have the most talented quarterback in the league, but Taylor Heinicke plays the position like the whole world is against him. Heinicke was emotional and fearless in a 27-21 win over the Panthers, throwing three touchdown passes to outshine Cam Newton in the former MVP's return to Bank of America Stadium. Heinicke made big throws all afternoon, sending a message to the same Panthers team that deemed him expendable on cutdown day two years earlier. Washington can check into the NFC playoff race in earnest with a win over the Seahawks on Monday night.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 20

Winning on the road against Carolina keeps them in the playoff chase. Taylor Heinicke is playing well.

USA Today -- Rank: 23

Why did no one make a bigger deal of QB Taylor Heinicke's Carolina revenge tour last week? Were there really more prominent prodigal sons in Charlotte or something?

The Athletic -- Rank: 23

Best side dish: Washington has won two straight impressive games, knocking off Tampa Bay in Week 10, then going on the road to beat Carolina, victories that keep them in the hunt for the playoffs. That's been aided by Terry McLaurin, who has become a favorite target of Taylor Heinicke. It's been a bit of a boom or bust season for McLaurin, with four games recording more than 100 receiving yards and three with less than 50 yards. But if the Football Team is going to make a legitimate run at a wild-card spot, it will need some big games from McLaurin.

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