Alex Smith is showing why Ron Rivera wanted an experienced quarterback to start for Washington, and has the team in position to compete for a division title because the NFC East is so weak.
Smith calmly guided Washington to a 20-9 comeback victory against Cincinnati on Sunday after No. 1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow went down and sapped the Bengals' energy and efficiency. Smith's first victory since breaking his right leg almost exactly two years earlier was the perfect example of how the 36-year-old quarterback can still win games if he has enough talent around him.
"We're an incredibly young team that is still kind of finding out who we are: our strengths, finding out how to win, trusting in each other," Smith said. "It's important for us to kind of continue to keep getting better."
The next step in that comes Thursday with a short turnaround before visiting the Cowboys for an annual Thanksgiving Day game. After Smith had a career-high 38 completions and 390 passing yards at Detroit the previous week and managed the game against Cincinnati, Washington is hoping momentum carries more weight than fatigue.
"You try to have as much carry-over from the last couple weeks as possible," Rivera said Monday.
Washington's offense is getting the job done with Smith throwing to second-year star Terry McLaurin, receivers Steven Sims and Cam Sims, and third-down back J.D. McKissic. Rookie running back Antonio Gibson has eight rushing touchdowns after playing receiver for most of college at Memphis.
"Having a vet at the quarterback position changes [things] dramatically," Gibson said. "He's been there and done that, so there's not too much pressure on him. He relaxes in the huddle. I feel like for me, anyway, having a vet there just helps in that situation."
Smith has completed 88 of 129 attempts (68%) for 918 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in four games this season.
