The Washington Football Team is playing host to the New Orleans Saints today at FedEx Field, and at least the defense is off to a quick start.

A fast start is something that would benefit Washington at this point in the season, as it finds itself just one game back of the Dallas Cowboys for the division lead. 

However, a fast start was not in the books on Sunday, and less than five minutes into the game, it finds itself playing from behind.

Five plays into the Saints opening drive, all passing plays, Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb picked off Saints quarterback Jameis Winston on a terribly underthrown ball. 

Holcomb returned the interception 23 yards to the New Orleans 31.

Washington's offense, however, could get nothing going as it set up a 45 yard Dustin Hopkins field goal that gave Washington an early 3-0 lead. 

It's just the second interception for Washington this season and the first since the Chargers game in Week 1. 

On the Saints next drive, just three plays in, Winston found Deonte Harris deep down the middle for a yard touchdown pass giving New Orleans a 7-3 lead.

Washington was able to sustain a long, 12-play drive on the next possession that covered 72 yards and took 6:18 off the clock, but the offense stalled at the New Orleans five yard line and it was forced to settle for another Hopkins field goal, this one from  23 yards.

If Washington wants to catch the Cowboys, it will need to cash in on those sustained drives and it's opponent's turnovers with touchdowns instead of field goals.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Josef Newgarden wins Indianapolis 500 with a thrilling last-lap pass
Route 66: Star guards score 33 each as Mavericks take 3-0 WCF lead
Unlikely hero helps Rangers steal Game 3 over Panthers
Braves superstar will miss remainder of 2024 season with torn ACL
Naomi Osaka finishes strong, wins first-round match at French Open
Grayson Murray's parents release heartbreaking statement on cause of death
Watch: Matt Vierling's walk-off HR caps wild game in Detroit
NFL reporter reveals why CeeDee Lamb isn't rushing to sign new contract
Celtics are being vindicated for acquiring Jrue Holiday
Christopher Bell wins abbreviated Coca-Cola 600, Kyle Larson's double attempt foiled by rain
Southampton earns Premier League promotion in world's richest game
Astros RHP day-to-day with forearm discomfort
Mavericks rookie takes brutal knee to the head in Game 3
White Sox manager absolutely shreds team after latest loss
Angels slugger suffers what might be baseball's most bizarre injury of 2024 season
Watch: Unlikely Rangers playoff hero nets two goals vs. Panthers
Celtics put Kristaps Porzingis' return from injury on hold
Watch: Panthers' Sam Reinhart nets two goals in first period vs. Rangers
Watch: Big crash ensues on Lap 1 of 2024 Indianapolis 500
Red Sox release well-traveled right-hander

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.