Burgundy & Gold Reaction: Defensive Struggles Real

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October 3, 2025

by David Earl

The State of the Defense

Let’s start off with the good about this defense: that’s against the run. For the season, Washington’s defense is ranked 6th in the NFL, allowing 3.6 yards per carry average. Prior to this matchup Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson averaged 5.1 yards per carry and a career 4.7 yards per carry and is easily regarded as one of the top 3 running backs in the NFL. When game planning against a player of this caliber the goal is to contain a runner like that and eliminate the back-breaking long run during the game. They held Robinson to 4.4 yards per carry on 17 attempts and a long of 14 yards which has to be considered a successful execution of scheme. In the first four games Washington’s defense did not allow a single run of 20 or more yards happen when they gave 3 last season after week four. Also, through the first 4 games last season, Washington’s defense surrendered 5.1 yards per carry average, which is 1.6 yards per carry worse than this season. The lone bright spot on defense is just how well that have improved thus far in defending against the run. Much of this is due to the anchor on the defensive line Javon Kinlaw has been this season. With that said, let’s discuss the brutal reality of this defense which is defending the pass.

Heading into the Falcons matchup Washington allowed a top ranked 56.7% pass completion rate but also a 98.7 total quarterback rating. This disparity is created by a near league worst in giving up an average 12.5 yards per completion and no interceptions heading into this Falcons matchup. This average yards per gain has led Washington to a total of gross total passing yards per game of 249.7, which accounts for only positive forward pass plays, ranking them 24th in the league. Heading into the Falcons game the secondary allowed a league best low completion rate, they were unsuccessful in minimizing the effectiveness of the opponents passing game. That is also seen through the fact Washington has allowed a near worst (ranked 26th) completions for first downs at 62.5%. When Washington’s secondary allowed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to complete 76.92% of his passes the rest of the game was certainly not going to end well. They allowed a total quarterback rating of 126 as Penix’s wide receivers had an average of 15.4 yards per reception. While much of the criticism has fallen on CB Marshon Lattimore, rightfully so too, the rest of this secondary and the defensive scheme overall was never in place all game to even put up a good fight.

Heading into the matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the loss of their left tackle Joe Alt and Washington’s run defense, I do not see the Chargers being very successful on the ground. As for the passing game, the Chargers have not exactly been prolific with QB Justin Herbert. Thus far the Chargers rank 20th in the league completing 63.7% of their passes with a total quarterback rating of 92.2 placing them middle of the league. This will be the key matchup defensively for Washington ,as Herbert is more than a capable quarterback with veteran wide reciever Keenan Allen and second year receiver Ladd McConkey fresh of a highly productive 82 reception for 1,149-yard rookie season. If the Washington secondary cannot limit the yards per reception and lesson the high first down conversion rate through the passing game, the Chargers will get this defense on their heels. If that happens rookie RB Omarion Hampton is more than capable of taking this game over late as the defense will begin to wear down.

 

Can the Offense Carry the Roster?

Thus far Washington has been really good against bad teams while highly ineffective against good playoff caliber teams, the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons. Part of this inconsistency thus far has been an erratic offensive line, slow start from the wide receiver room, and an aging roster which lacks depth. Now the running game has been productive, averaging 5.9 yards per rush through four games and 6.7 yards this past weekend. While they may lack that dynamic 3-down runner who is a home run threat on any carry, Washington has been very good in their running back by committee. The one bright spot thus far is 7th round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who has averaged 5.9 yards per rush and 4.6 yards per rush when removing his long 42 yard run week one. He has shown himself to have the best vision of the group but is still not comfortable enough in pass protection, which is not a surprise when looking at his college career. With the Chargers’ defense producing the 19th ranked rush defense allowing 4.5 yards per rush, Washington’s run game will be vital to set a tone for this week’s game. If they can effectively control the clock and keep that Chargers offense off the field while allowing the defense to remain fresh, Washington could see an opportunity to sneak out a win.

Now in the event Washington cannot control the game with the rushing attack, their offense will feed right into the Chargers strength. The Chargers have allowed a 59.4% completion rate and the second lowest total quarterback rating of 72.7. Although Jayden Daniels is returning this week, he will be off a 2-week rehab stint while entering this game without WR Terry McLaurin facing a good secondary plus a pass rush with a 10.07% sack rate (Ranked 2nd). Now what Washington does have entering week 5 is the return of RG Samuel Cosmi and the emergence of wide reciever Luke McCaffrey, both wide receiver and kick returner, which can produce a couple advantages. McCafferty can easily flip the field in the return game giving the offense good average starting field position. Comsi, provided he is healthy enough of course, can help bolster an underachieving offensive line unit. Will all this be enough to carry a roster that is showing signs lately of being the second oldest team in the league or with them running out of gas and momentum in the second half?

 

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