Case Keenum isn’t practicing today, and that’s huge. To me, he’s looking like an awfully intriguing Week 4 option at quarterback. I’m not if that passing game will continue to click without him.
Keenum tends to be lightly regarded, but he’s averaging 311 passing yards, with multiple touchdowns in every game. I understand that he turned the ball over 4 times on Monday night, but he was getting overrun by a really good defense. I think Keenum is a better quarterback than most give him credit for.
Keenum didn’t practice today because of a foot injury. If he’s sidelined, I think Washington would then turn to Colt McCoy. A few weeks down the road, Dwayne Haskins will be starting, but I don’t think he’s ready yet.
There’s always risk in starting a modest quarterback like Keenum (or McCoy), or course, but the opponent this week has been awfully weak against the pass. The Giants are allowing a league-high 346 passing yards per game, with 8 TDs.
If you average the offensive and defensive numbers, Washington projects to finish with the 2nd-best passing numbers in the league this week, trailing only Kansas City.
This foot injury is one to keep a close eye on, I think. If Keenum is right physically, I think he merits consideration as a top-10 quarterback for Week 4.
On the chart here, you're looking at average passing yards and touchdown passes for each offense and defense. The "Points" is the average per game, using 6 for TD passes and 1 for every 10 yards.
| WEEK 4 PASSING MATCHUPS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offense | Yards | TD | Opponent | Yards | TD | Points |
| Kansas City | 398 | 3.33 | Detroit | 287 | 1.33 | 48.2 |
| Washington | 311 | 2.33 | NY Giants | 346 | 2.67 | 47.8 |
| Seattle | 300 | 2.33 | Arizona | 306 | 3.00 | 46.3 |
| Dallas | 307 | 3.00 | New Orleans | 319 | 2.00 | 46.2 |
| LA Chargers | 315 | 1.67 | Miami | 296 | 3.33 | 45.5 |
| Cincinnati | 326 | 1.67 | Pittsburgh | 317 | 2.33 | 44.1 |
| NY Giants | 303 | 1.33 | Washington | 271 | 3.00 | 41.7 |
| Baltimore | 306 | 2.67 | Cleveland | 239 | 1.67 | 40.2 |
| Atlanta | 309 | 2.67 | Tennessee | 212 | 2.00 | 40.0 |
| Indianapolis | 215 | 2.33 | Oakland | 295 | 2.00 | 38.5 |
| Carolina | 278 | 1.33 | Houston | 300 | 1.67 | 37.9 |
| Detroit | 277 | 2.00 | Kansas City | 272 | 1.33 | 37.4 |
| New England | 319 | 2.33 | Buffalo | 225 | 1.00 | 37.1 |
| Arizona | 277 | 1.33 | Seattle | 261 | 2.00 | 36.8 |
| Green Bay | 216 | 1.33 | Philadelphia | 300 | 2.33 | 36.8 |
| Oakland | 233 | 1.33 | Indianapolis | 264 | 2.33 | 35.8 |
| Cleveland | 268 | 1.00 | Baltimore | 304 | 1.33 | 35.6 |
| LA Rams | 246 | 1.33 | Tampa Bay | 278 | 1.00 | 33.2 |
| Pittsburgh | 212 | 1.33 | Cincinnati | 250 | 2.00 | 33.1 |
| Houston | 259 | 2.00 | Carolina | 189 | 1.33 | 32.4 |
| New Orleans | 250 | 1.33 | Dallas | 258 | 1.00 | 32.3 |
| Philadelphia | 276 | 2.00 | Green Bay | 224 | .33 | 31.9 |
| Denver | 258 | .67 | Jacksonville | 280 | 1.00 | 31.9 |
| Chicago | 193 | 1.00 | Minnesota | 252 | 2.00 | 31.2 |
| Miami | 202 | .33 | LA Chargers | 262 | 2.33 | 31.1 |
| Jacksonville | 256 | 2.00 | Denver | 205 | .67 | 31.0 |
| Tennessee | 235 | 1.33 | Atlanta | 221 | 1.33 | 30.8 |
| Tampa Bay | 261 | 1.67 | LA Rams | 212 | .33 | 29.6 |
| Minnesota | 167 | 1.00 | Chicago | 276 | 1.33 | 29.1 |
| Buffalo | 250 | 1.00 | New England | 187 | .00 | 24.8 |
—Ian Allan