Five things to know about the Chiefs’ next opponent: Washington Football Team
The Chiefs will try to get back to their winning ways in the nation’s capital this coming Sunday.
After a 38-20 loss to the Bills in “Sunday Night Football,” the Chiefs will face the Washington Football Team. This is the second of the NFC East opponents the Chiefs will play this season.
Each week, I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here are five things to know about Washington before Sunday’s game at FedEx Field. Kickoff is at noon, and KCTV (Ch. 5) will broadcast the game.
1. Nuts and Bolts
Washington has a 2-3 record, having alternated wins and losses since being beaten by the Chargers in the season opener. On Sunday, the Saints beat Washington 33-22.
The Chiefs lead the all-time series 9-1 and they have won the last seven meetings going back to 1983.
Washington is scoring an average of 24.6 points per game, which is 12th in the NFL while allowing 31 points a game, which is 31st in the league.
The Football Team is tied for 25th in the NFL in takeaways (minus-3), while the Chiefs are 31st at minus-7.
2. Taylor time
Washington planned to have Ryan Fitzpatrick be the quarterback to take the franchise back to the postseason.
But Fitzpatrick suffered a hip injury after throwing just six passes in the season opener against the Chargers and Taylor Heinicke has played most of the season.
Heinicke, who played well in Washington’s playoff loss to the Buccaneers last season, has completed 64.2% of his passes (102 of 159) for 1,208 yards, eight touchdowns but with five interceptions. He has rushed the ball 25 times for 127 yards and a touchdown.
3. No. 1 target is McLaurin
Heinicke’s favorite target is wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who leads Washington with 29 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns.
McLaurin is ninth in the NFL in receiving yards and he is 12th in receptions.
Washington’s Adam Humphries has 14 receptions for 153 yards but no touchdown catches. Tight end Logan Thomas has caught 12 passes for 117 yards.
4. Third-down problems
Washington has struggled on third downs on both sides of the ball this season.
When Washington has the ball, it has converted just 30.5% of its third-down tries this season. That is 31st in the NFL. Opponents, however, have converted 56.2% of third-down conversions against Washington’s defense.
Opposing quarterbacks have a 136.1 passer rating on third-down plays against Washington, and are averaging 9.0 yards per attempt.
Washington has fared better on fourth downs, converting on six of 10.
5. Defensive woes
Washington is 27th in total defense, allowing 407.8 yards per game, and it is 28th in pass defense (293 yards per game).
In the loss to the Saints, Washington gave up a pair of long scoring passes by Jameis Winston: . a 72-yard touchdown pass to Deonte Harris and a 49-yard Hail Mary to Marquez Callaway before the end of the first half.
Washington has just nine sacks, which is tied for 23rd in the NFL. The team also blitzes on 25.9% of plays, the sixth-most in the league.
Opposing teams have four passing plays of 40 or more yards. Only the Chiefs (eight) and Titans (six) have given up more.
Washington also has given up two runs of 40 or more yards (tied for last).
Former Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller plays for Washington, which has just two interceptions this season.
