The Washington Football Team return home to Fed Ex Field this week, to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 action. Both teams come into the game with identical 2-2 records.
Washington are fresh off a big win over the Falcons, that saw Taylor Heinicke pull off some late game heroics. The WFT scored two touchdowns in the final five minutes, to edge out the Atlanta Falcons 34-30 at the Mercedes Benz Stadium. The win moved Washington to 2-2 on the season, and one game back of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East race.
The Saints will be trying to rebound from a 27-21 upset defeat at the hands of the New York Giants this past Sunday. The Saints were up by eleven in the fourth quarter, but let it all slip away. Jameis Winston has struggled so far this season, failing to throw for 150 yards in three of his four games this year.
It was the Saints first home game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome this year, after spending the first three weeks of the regular season operating out of the Dallas area.
Head-To-Head
The two teams have faced each other 27 times in their histories, with Washington winning 17 of them.
The last time these two teams faced each other was in 2018 at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Drew Brees ran rough shod over the Washington defense, in a 43-19 trouncing. Brees threw three touchdowns, and completed a near-perfect 26 of 29 passes for 363 yards.
Injury Situations
Washington was hit hard with injuries against the Falcons.
Washington’s depth will be tested, because as many as six guys from last week’s active roster will not be on this week’s active roster. Torry McTyer and Jon Bostic may both be done for the season, while Brandon Scherff will need at least 2-3 weeks off (ACL) . Logan Thomas will need 1 or 2 for his hamstring as well. Cam Sims and Dyami Brown were also injured this past Sunday, and are both tagged as questionable this week.
Benjamin St. Juste was in concussion protocol last week, and unavailable. He is still listed as questionable for the Saints game.
The Saints were without linemen Eric McCoy (C) and Teron Armstead (OT) against the Giants. Both are listed as questionable for Washington.
New Orleans additionally have Brett Maher (K), Quentin Poling (LB), Tony Jones (RB), and Keith Washington (CB) listed as questionable.
The Saints could get an injury boost this week, as they also have five players that are currently on injured reserve, that are slated to return around week 5.
Keep an eye on their injury reports to check those players’ progress before Sunday.
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Opening Line
The Saints opened as 1-point road favorites.
New Orleans -1.0 (110)
The opening over / under was set at 44.
Over / Under 44.0
To check out this week’s NFL lines and get an early bet in, click here.
2021 WFT Regular Season Schedule
New Scandal?
Washington head trainer Ryan Vermillion has been placed on administrative leave, because of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Federal authorities reportedly raided the team’s practice facility and the trainer’s townhouse, in connection with the investigation. Vermillion did not travel with the team to Atlanta this past weekend.
The WFT is not under investigation.
No arrests have been made, nor charges filed.