The Commanders won’t get their bye until December 8.
Two weeks ago, the Commanders were 7-2, 2-0 in the NFC East divisional games. Today, they are 7-4, having led both of the last two games in the second half but lost both games in regulation.
Jayden Daniels looks tired and lacks the same energy. The offense actually only generated ten points until that final possession, when surely every Commanders fan noticed the Eagles were playing with less intensity, simply seeking to keep everything in front of them, chew up more clock, and end the game quicker.
Daniels played so well earlier in the season that we forgot he was a rookie. Thus, he is going through an NFL season for the first time. Thursday, he missed some open throws that he did not miss early in the season. Yet, in the last two games, we have seen him appear much more human.
Suddenly, Kliff Kingsbury’s offense has significantly slowed, scoring less. But then again, the Eagles are very talented defensively. How much of what is happening to the Commanders’ offense might be because there are now 11 games on film that are being watched closely by NFL opposing coaching staffs?
Thursday, the offense did not come easily. It struggled for the entire game. Did you notice that when Washington trailed 12-10, the Eagles’ defense suddenly made the Commanders’ offense look very weak?
- 2nd-and-1 at the Eagles 25. Brian Robinson carry gets zero yards.
- 3rd-and-1 at the Eagles 25. Brian Robinson loses one yard.
- 4th-and-2, the entire play was a mess with the snap, missed blocks, and Daniels, having no place to go, was hit hard.
What now?
Some of this is the last two teams are better than most opponents this season.
Some of this is that Daniels is injured, beat up, and needs rest.
So, keep perspective: Did you forget Washington has not had a winning regular season since Kirk Cousins was starting in the 2015 and 2016 seasons?