This season hasn’t gone as planned for Washington wide receiver Jahan Dotson. With a new offensive coordinator (Eric Bieniemy), many projected Dotson as one of the NFL’s breakout players in 2023.
Dotson has 22 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown through six games.
Obviously, that breakout hasn’t happened — yet.
Why? Not everything is Dotson’s fault. However, in recent weeks, Dotson, famously known for having outstanding hands, has dropped passes at critical moments. In Sunday’s 14-7 loss to the New York Giants, Dotson missed an opportunity late in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime potentially.
On fourth-and-5, quarterback Sam Howell was under heavy pressure, escaped and rolled to his left. He saw Dotson past the first-down marker near the one-yard line and released the ball — and it was a bit behind Dotson — but the second-year receiver got both hands on the ball but couldn’t come away with the catch.
Here is the play.
Isaiah Simmons biggest play as a Giant? Dotson has to catch this, but the throw is slightly off target due to Simmons forcing Howell out of the pocket. pic.twitter.com/wOid1y6N3a
— Strickly NFL (@StricklyNFLPod) October 22, 2023
It was a tough play, but one Dotson should’ve made. That was Washington’s last offensive line, clinching the victory for the Giants.
Afterward, Dotson was upset with himself, taking full responsibility for not coming away with the catch.
“I know the capability of myself; I know I make those plays all the time with my eyes closed,” Dotson told reporters after the game. “Not being able to make that play, it hurts, for sure. And I’m going to let it hurt because that’s the only way I’m going to get better. Because I don’t want to feel like this again. I’m going to get back to work.”
“It hurts and I’m gonna let it hurt” pic.twitter.com/dQPqtESodq
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 22, 2023
Dotson deserves praise for how he handled this situation. He did it last week, too. It was tough to stand in front of the media after a difficult loss, and Dotson did that, taking accountability and promising to deliver the next time.
It should be noted that Dotson did not cost the Commanders the game. Their first-half performance on both sides of the ball cost Washington this game.
That’s a play you expect Dotson to make. He should make that play. While it wasn’t easy, he had a chance.
Now, Dotson and the Commanders need to put Sunday’s loss behind them, with the Eagles coming to FedEx Field next week.