One stat that matters for every NFL team

Some coaches believe that stats are for losers. But advanced metrics can reveal a lot, and here’s one stat that matters for every NFL team.

“Stats are for losers.”

You’ve heard that from coach after coach, up to and including Bill Belichick, and though Coach B knows better (he’s had Ernie Adams and a cadre of metric and situational analysts for decades), there are coaches and executives who still believe this, and it’s too bad for them. While base statistics and advanced metrics aren’t the be-all and end-all, the ability to match numbers to tape puts you ahead of the pack  — whether you’re an analyst, a coach, or an executive.

To that end, let’s take a look at one number of meaning for every NFL team coming into the 2021 season. Whether you believe that stats matter or not, we promise to make them as relevant as possible.

(All statistics include postseason performances whenever possible and applicable. All advanced metrics are courtesy of Pro Football Focus, Sports Info Solutions, Pro Football Reference, and Football Outsiders unless otherwise indicated).

The Touchdown Wire NFL Podcast: Doug and Mark name their All-Preseason teams!

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield name their All-Preseason teams, and discuss New England’s QB situation.

In the latest episode of the Touchdown Wire NFL Podcast, Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield name their All-Preseason Teams, and discuss New England’s quarterback situation ahead of the 2021 regular season. With a bye week to contend with, let’s talk preseason stars!

Mark’s list is already up on Touchdown Wire:

Touchdown Wire’s All-Preseason Team

  • How Jameis Winston won the job, how Sean Payton could save him, and why Marquez Callaway looks primed to help;
  • Why the Malik McDowell Rehabilitation Tour could be a real thing;
  • Why Elijah Molden could save Tennessee’s pass defense;
  • Why the Ravens don’t need to look for a backup quarterback;
  • Why two Packers offensive linemen could compete for starting reps based on strong preseasons;
  • Why “Rhamondre” is the name to know in Foxboro;
  • Why Justin Fields should be the Bears’ starting quarterback, and everybody seems to know that except for Matt Nagy;
  • Why the Steelers’ rebuilt offensive line might not be a problem, and how Pat Freiermuth could live up to his “Baby Gronk” nickname;
  • And the rich get richer, as the Bucs have two standout new defenders.

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Secret Superstars of the 2021 preseason: Week 3

Week 3 of the 2021 preseason marked every player’s last chance to stand out. Which under-the-radar players did that the most as the preseason came to an end?

The last week of any preseason means different things to different types of players. Established veterans, if they play at all, are trying to shake the last bits of rust off, establish communication with new coaches and teammates, and try to avoid any injuries. High draft picks are trying to show what they’re capable of — if they’re not already starters, they’re trying to be. Then, there are the low draft picks, the undrafted players, and the veterans who are just trying to land on a roster. The real drama of the preseason is theirs — these players are playing for their professional lives, and they hope they just get enough reps to convince their current teams — or other teams if they don’t make final cuts — that they have something to offer at the NFL level.

Here are the Secret Superstars of Week 3 of the 2021 preseason — some players who either established roster spots, or, at the very least, put up enough good tape to make other NFL teams take notice.

Washington roster cuts tracker: Latest news and updates before 53-man roster deadline

Tracking all of Washington’s cuts here ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

The Washington Football Team must trim their roster from 80 players to 53 by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

For the first time in years, Washington has multiple tough decisions to make at the deadline. Will it keep seven wide receivers or an extra offensive lineman? Does head coach Ron Rivera go with inexperience behind Montez Sweat and Chase Young at defensive end?

We’ll be tracking all of Washington’s moves here. Follow along for the latest updates.

Washington waives quarterback Steven Montez, 9 others in 1st round of cuts

Washington released 10 players on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to trim the roster to 53 players.

The Washington Football Team has until 4 p.m. EDT on Tuesday to trim their roster to 53 players. However, like many teams around the NFL, Washington got to work on Monday releasing several players.

Multiple sources covering the team have confirmed 10 players have already been waived. This would leave Washington with 70 players. Washington actually has 71 players as defensive lineman David Bada is a member of the International Player Pathway program and currently does not count against the roster. That changes once Washington gets down to 53 players.

If Washington releases Bada and re-signs him to the practice squad, the team will have an exemption, allowing them to carry one extra practice squad member during the season since he is a part of the International Player Pathway program.

Here are the confirmed cuts to this point:

QB Steven Montez

C Jon Toth

WR Tony Brown

RB Jonathan Williams

CB Linden Stephens

S Cole Luke

TE Caleb Wilson

LB Joe Walker

DT Devaroe Lawrence

WR Isaiah Wright

 

 

 

Ian Rapoport says Ryan Fitzpatrick is Washington’s starting quarterback for 2021

Ian Rapoport confirmed the obvious on Sunday. Don’t expect an official announcement from Ron Rivera.

Well, it’s finally official—sort of. On Sunday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Ryan Fitzpatrick would be the starting quarterback for the Washington Football Team in 2021.

This is obviously no surprise. But don’t expect head coach Ron Rivera to make an official announcement anytime soon.

Fitzpatrick signed a one-year contract in March to compete for the starting job with Taylor Heinicke. While Heinicke received plenty of reps throughout training camp, it was always clear this was Fitzpatrick’s team in 2021.

Washington just completed its preseason with a 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Rivera chose to sit all of his starters in the game to avoid injuries.

Fitzpatrick played in two preseason games, playing around two full quarters of play.  He completed 12 of 21 passes for 151 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Washington’s first-team offense did not score a touchdown in its brief time on the field together in the preseason. However, in both of his starts, Fitzpatrick appeared to already have a solid rapport with tight end Logan Thomas and wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Adam Humphries.

Washington is set to open the regular season on Sept. 12 against the Los Angeles Chargers at FedEx Field.

 

7 bubble players to watch in Jags’ preseason finale vs. Cowboys

While the starters who are available will play, Sunday’s game is equally important for some bubble players. Here’s our list of Jaguars who need a good performance to solidify a place on the team.

The final preseason game has almost arrived for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they will be taking on the Dallas Cowboys at 1 p.m. EST at AT&T Stadium. Afterward, Jags coach Urban Meyer and his staff have some tough decisions to make as they have to trim the final roster down to 53 players by 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

The Jags will enter Sunday’s game with plenty to figure out, and that’s especially the case on the back end of the roster. That means various bubble players need to make a splash against Dallas if they want to make it to the final roster, or even earn a practice squad designation. Here are a few players we feel will be in that category and believe the staff will be watching closely.

Twitter reacts to the Washington’s preseason Week 3 loss to Ravens

Twitter reacts to Washington’s 37-3 preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday.

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Washington Football Team, 37-3, in the final preseason game for both teams at FedEx Field on Saturday evening.

The game meant very little for Washington in regards to the standings. After all, head coach Ron Rivera sat all of his starters for the preseason finale. For Washington, this was all about evaluation. Rivera and his staff wanted to get an extended look at several young players as the team spends the next couple of days getting its roster down to 53 players.

Some of Washington’s young players had good moments, despite the score. Others struggled.

Meanwhile, the game had a different meaning for the Ravens, who won their 20th consecutive preseason game.

As you might expect, Twitter had plenty of reactions regarding Washington’s putrid performance — and Baltimore’s meaningless winning streak.

 

Washington’s injury updates following preseason Week 3 vs. Ravens

A look at the injuries facing Washington after its third and final preseason game. Things look good.

The Washington Football Team completed the preseason with a 1-2 record after Saturday’s 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

No one cares about the loss to the Ravens — except John Harbaugh.

The good news for Washington, and its head coach, Ron Rivera, is the lack of injuries heading into the regular season.

After the loss to Baltimore, Rivera gave an update on a pair of players who missed the game.

Rookie safety Darrick Forrest has been nursing a hamstring injury over the past week. The timing is unfortunate for the fifth-round pick, and he could be ticketed for the practice squad.

Rivera said the team would likely know more about Forrest’s injury on Sunday.

Second-year defensive end James Smith-Williams, the top backup to Chase Young and Montez Sweat, missed the game with a leg injury. It doesn’t appear to be a long-term issue.

Finally, there is cornerback Torry McTyer, who made his second consecutive start. McTyer left the game early with a concussion. He is now entered into the NFL’s concussion protocol program.

Washington came out of the preseason with no major injuries. Now, the team gets two weeks to prepare for the Los Angeles Chargers.

5 takeaways from Washington’s preseason loss to the Ravens

Here are five takeaways from Baltimore’s preseason win over Washington.

The Washington Football Team ended their 2021 preseason with a record of 1-2 after Saturday’s 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

It was an ugly outcome in a meaningless game for the Football Team. Washington announced before the game its starters would not play, as third-string quarterback Kyle Allen got the start under center.

Steven Montez played the second half at quarterback for Washington.

This game had a totally different feel from the Baltimore side as the Ravens won their 20th consecutive preseason game, a streak that dates back to 2016.

Here are five takeaways from Baltimore’s preseason win over Washington.