Burgundy & Gold Reaction: Sloppy Loss

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October 17, 2025

by David Earl

What Just Happened???

Heading into this matchup, the Bears’ defense had allowed a terrible 6.1 yard per carry average and gave first down runs on 40.51% designed runs against their defense. Washington, which led the league, averaging 5.9 yards per rush, had its running game held to 4.0 yards per carry. Against this vulnerable Bears defense, they were only able to manage a 31.82% first down conversion rate running the ball.  What was imperative to control the game through the ground keeping a Ben Johnson offense on the sidelines as long as possible became a detriment to their offense. The Bears’ offense is generating about the same in points per game as Washington, averaging 25.3 points to Washington’s 26.8. Their running game does not pose a significant threat, averaging 3.8 yards per carry against Washington’s 10th ranked rush defense, which had allowed 4.0 yards per carry. The Bears produced more then their season average of 10.9 yards per completion as they averaged 13.9 yards per completion. While this may suggest poor coverage by the secondary, it was poor tackling on the shorter pass plays resulting in long gains. The Bears offensive line neutralized a defensive line ranked 6th in sack rate for most of the night as 2 of Caleb William’s sacks was not a result of initial pressure.  While many want to place full blame on defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.,the defense executed poorly the majority of the night and simply forgot how to tackle.

Heading into this week’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, this defense will have to step up their game. The Cowboys offense ranks 3rd with an average of 29.7 points per game, and have been one of the top teams in yards pwr completion, averaging 11 yards per completion over their last 3 games. They have one of the top passing offenses, completing 71.37% of their passes and a 102.5 total quarterback rating. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been relatively untouched this season thanks to his offensive line, which has a 3rd ranked sack rate of 2.90% allowing him to complete an average of 27.8 passes per game that leads the league. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb looks to also return alongside George Pickens, who has averaged 13.9 yards per reception. Lamb brings a season average of 13.9 yards per reception and back-to-back 110 plus receiving yards prior to his injury (ankle) week 3 against the Chicago Bears. That’s their passing game. The Cowboys are ranked 6th on the ground, averaging 4.9 yards per rush and 117.2 rushing yards per game. Their running game is clearly set up by their passing game as they run to pass ratio is 37% to 63%. Needless to say, the Cowboys’ offense against this defense against the Bears will provide very little resistance if they do not clean up their mistakes.

The silver lining heading into Dallas is that their defense ranks second from last allowing 30.7 points per game and allowing 38.5 points per game at home. The Cowboys’ run defense has allowed 5.5 yards per rush over the last three games and ranked 29th for the season allowing 42.07% of their opponents rushing attempts for first downs. This matchup is eerily similar for Washington’s offense, facing this Cowboy’s run defense like the Bears. Just like their matchup heading into last week, Washington will clearly need to lean on their rushing offense to control this game, especially since the Cowboy’s passing attack is far more effective than the Bears.

So, while the run game will be vital this week, Washington will face a ranked 24th pass rush with a 5.07% sack rate allowing a league worst 117 quarterback rating. This is a game where Jayden Daniels could have a breakout passing performance for the season, but it will have to be without Terry McLaurin (most likely), Noah Brown and now Deebo Samuels is battling a heel injury. Daniels will have to lean on TE Zach Ertz again and hope for the continued development of WR Luke McCaffrey. This could be a game to feature more of rookie WR Jaylin Lane and see what RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt can bring to the passing attack.

 

Concerned Moving Forward???

So, at 3-3 should we press the panic button on this team? Well, their next four matchups, the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, are all in the top 10 for scoring offensively. The Cowboys and Lions are the most potent of the four teams, but the Chiefs get star receiver Rashee Rice back this week to go along side Xavier Worthy and tight end Travis Kelce with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Patrick Mahomes, running the offense. So, their 31.7 points per game average over the last 3 games could very well become even more prolific than what the Lions and Cowboys present during this stretch. Of these four teams, the Seahawks (allowing 19.5 points per game) and the Chiefs (allowing 20.7 points per game) will be the most difficult to score against. The Seahawks will be the toughest defense to run against as they have the second best run defense in the league allowing 3.3 yards per carry and the Lions following allowing 4.0 yards per rush (ranked 10th). All these teams except for the Cowboys have a very strong pass rush with the Lions leading the way generating the 4th ranked sack rate of 9.18%. The Lions (+1.0) and the Chiefs (+.07) have the only positive turnover margins of these four remaining teams too.

Do I think this stretch of 4 games is crucial to Washington’s playoff chances? Without question, yes! Washington is already having to deal with key injuries so it’s imperative they can continue to develop the running game, minus the turnovers, and get these young wire receivers more involved hopefully for the better. While corner Marshon Lattimore has looked better over the past couple weeks and rookie Trey Amos has proven to be their best corner, Washington will need far better play from their safety group. Teams have been taken advantage of their poor pass coverage from the linebackers, and this compounds the poor play by the safety group too.

The lack of consistency and big plays from the offense plus a defense that has regressed over the last few weeks. I do not have much optimism. With that Seattle Seahawk defense and a potentially recharged Kansas City Chief offense plus a Detroit Lions offense that is as explosive as any team, this Cowboys game is as close to a must win as they will have all season. This Cowboy defense presents the best opportunity for this Washington offense to flourish during this stretch of games. As for this four-game stretch, and being honest with myself, I do not see Washington doing any better than 1-3.

 

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