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  3. article_body => "<p>With the 2020 NFL season now&nbsp;in the books, it's time for teams to look ahead to the next one. At the same time, however, it's also a good period to reflect on the campaign that was.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For the Washington Football Team, it was one filled with ups and downs and plenty of highlights. Here at NBC Sports Washington, we'll take this week to revisit the Top 10 plays of the season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here's a look at No. 10 and No. 9, which involve Alex Smith's incredible return to the field.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><strong>No. 10: Alex Smith takes his first snap since injury<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n<p>It wasn't a wild play, and in fact, it was just a six-yard pass. Yet, it meant everything to Alex Smith and the Washington Football Team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>After Kyle Allen suffered an injury, the team turned to Smith. The veteran had not played in a game since he dealt with a gruesome leg injury that required 17 surgeries. Still, when his name was called, he was ready.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<drupal-url data-embed-button=\"url\" data-embed-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL\/status\/1315356671653236737\" data-entity-label=\"Embed social\" data-timestamp=\"1612760109\" data-url-provider=\"Twitter\"><\/drupal-url>\r\n\r\n<p>Despite all the adversity&nbsp;Smith faced, leading many to believe he'd never play football again, he did it. There were plenty of nerves from him and his family, but as he stood on the field, it was a display that even the hardest challenges are possible to overcome.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>So though the play wasn't spectacular, it was nothing short of one of the best highlights of the year.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/WashingtonFootballTalk\"><strong>Download and subscribe to the Washington Football Talk Podcast<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><iframe height=\"230px\" src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/washington-football\/episodes\/b6bc0074-16f2-44b8-9957-c067320c97d4\/embed\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe><strong>No. 9: Alex Smith finds Terry McLaurin for first TD pass in return<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n<p>Sticking with the Smith theme, this was another huge milestone for the QB in 2020.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Replacing Allen, once again, in a matchup with the Giants, Smith&nbsp;checked another box in&nbsp;his comeback tour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<drupal-url data-embed-button=\"url\" data-embed-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarkBullockNFL\/status\/1325536669857161216\" data-entity-label=\"Embed social\" data-timestamp=\"1612760387\" data-url-provider=\"Twitter\"><\/drupal-url>\r\n\r\n<p>Finding Terry McLaurin over the middle of the field, the wide receiver secured the ball, broke through a tackle and took it all the way to the house for a 68-yard&nbsp;touchdown. After a long road to recovery, Smith wasn't just back on the field but he was throwing touchdowns as well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Though Washington eventually lost the game, it was a key play that brought the game to 23-20 and nearly allowed the team to pull off the comeback. In addition, the work by McLaurin was impressive in its own right.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>2020 was a memorable season for Alex Smith, and these two plays give a small glimpse into the triumph he had throughout the campaign.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n"
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Commanders

/ by Ryan Homler
Commanders

With the 2020 NFL season now in the books, it's time for teams to look ahead to the next one. At the same time, however, it's also a good period to reflect on the campaign that was.

For the Washington Football Team, it was one filled with ups and downs and plenty of highlights. Here at NBC Sports Washington, we'll take this week to revisit the Top 10 plays of the season.

Here's a look at No. 10 and No. 9, which involve Alex Smith's incredible return to the field.

No. 10: Alex Smith takes his first snap since injury

It wasn't a wild play, and in fact, it was just a six-yard pass. Yet, it meant everything to Alex Smith and the Washington Football Team.

After Kyle Allen suffered an injury, the team turned to Smith. The veteran had not played in a game since he dealt with a gruesome leg injury that required 17 surgeries. Still, when his name was called, he was ready.

Despite all the adversity Smith faced, leading many to believe he'd never play football again, he did it. There were plenty of nerves from him and his family, but as he stood on the field, it was a display that even the hardest challenges are possible to overcome.

So though the play wasn't spectacular, it was nothing short of one of the best highlights of the year. 

Download and subscribe to the Washington Football Talk Podcast

No. 9: Alex Smith finds Terry McLaurin for first TD pass in return

Sticking with the Smith theme, this was another huge milestone for the QB in 2020. 

 

Replacing Allen, once again, in a matchup with the Giants, Smith checked another box in his comeback tour.

Finding Terry McLaurin over the middle of the field, the wide receiver secured the ball, broke through a tackle and took it all the way to the house for a 68-yard touchdown. After a long road to recovery, Smith wasn't just back on the field but he was throwing touchdowns as well.

Though Washington eventually lost the game, it was a key play that brought the game to 23-20 and nearly allowed the team to pull off the comeback. In addition, the work by McLaurin was impressive in its own right.

2020 was a memorable season for Alex Smith, and these two plays give a small glimpse into the triumph he had throughout the campaign.Â