5 Washington players to watch in Week 3 vs. Bills

Can the Washington Football Team defeat the heavily-favored Buffalo Bills on Sunday?

If Washington is to go on the road and pull off the upset, it will need big performances from some of the top players on the team. The Bills are big favorites on Sunday, and Washington’s defense has yet to play a complete game on defense.

Could that change on Sunday?

Here are five Washington players to watch on Sunday:

QB Taylor Heinicke

Sep 16, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) looks on during the second half against the New York Giants at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

All eyes will be on Taylor Heinicke as he makes his first road start for the Washington Football Team. In two starts for Washington, Heinicke has been fantastic. Not only is Heinicke making his first road start, he's making it against one of the best teams in the NFL in the Bills. We are going to learn a lot about offensive coordinator Scott Turner in this game. Washington needs to follow a specific game plan to beat the Bills. It will be tough to run, so that means the game could come down to how well Heinicke plays. Turner must call a game where Heinicke gets rid of the ball quickly.

RB Antonio Gibson

Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

All because it will be tough to run, doesn't mean Washington shouldn't run. In two games this season, Antonio Gibson has rushed for 159 yards, and is averaging just under five yards per carry. Outside of a fumble in the opener, he's ran well. Gibson ran well against the Giants last week but had just 13 carries. Buffalo is allowing only 73 yards rushing per game, and around 3.6 yards per attempt. Washington's offensive line is at its best run blocking, while the Bills' defensive line is strong at defending the run. Turner must get Gibson involved early. If he can break one run, that opens up multiple opportunities for Washington's offense.

RT Sam Cosmi

Washington Football Team offensive tackle Sam Cosmi during an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)

Rookie right tackle Sam Cosmi struggled in his Week 1 NFL debut against Joey Bosa and the Chargers. However, much like this summer when Cosmi lost most of matchups in practice against Chase Young and Montez Sweat, he kept getting better. He was one of the NFL's highest-rated offensive linemen in Week 2, per Pro Football Focus. A big reason Cosmi's high ranking is his run blocking. Cosmi has dominated run-blocking snaps this season and playing beside All-Pro right guard Brandon Scherff means Washington should run more to that side.

DE Chase Young

Sep 16, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) reacts during the first half against the New York Giants at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

At some point, Washington defensive end Chase Young is going to break out with a big performance. Could it be on Sunday? Buffalo's offensive tackles have struggled a bit in the season's first two weeks. Dion Dawkins and Daryl Williams are good players, but Young needs to take advantage of them and force those struggles to continue at least one more week. A big game from Young is a game-changer for the defense.

CB Kendall Fuller

New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) looses control of the ball while being covered by Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Since the second half of last season, it feels like Washington cornerback Kendall Fuller has been on the wrong end of some critical third-down receptions. Fuller struggled a bit against the Giants in Week 2, but settled down later. Fuller covers the slot when Washington goes with three corners. The Bills will keep them in nickel for a big portion of the game on Sunday. In the slot, that means Fuller will draw Cole Beasley. Beasley is a good player who had his share of big games against Washington over the years. Washington needs Fuller to minimize Beasley's impact on Sunday.

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