There have been all sorts of jokes about the Washington Commanders secondary heading into their Week 13 game against the Miami Dolphins.
No NFL team allowed as many explosive plays as Washington’s defense, which was a bad recipe when facing a Miami team led by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
It didn’t take long for Hill to make the Commanders pay. On Miami’s first possession, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sees Hill matched up in single coverage with rookie Quan Martin, making his decision an easy one.
Here’s the play:
Wow….Tua was absolutely right. He could have thrown his first TD pass to Tyreek Hill or De’Von Achane.
BOTH were wide open. pic.twitter.com/r6aujoOqSe
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) December 4, 2023
What’s even more startling is that rookie running back De’Von Achane was even more open on the right side of the formation. Washington’s deep safety didn’t really go with either route.
Social media couldn’t believe the Commanders would use a rookie defensive back in single coverage against the NFL’s most explosive player. Hill is on pace to break Calvin Johnson’s single-season record for receiving yards.
As it turns out, Hill couldn’t believe it either.
“Not for real, man, because those guys are great at what they do, and they also get paid,” Hill said via Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post. “But at some point, it’s like, man. I don’t know, man. I just appreciate it. Thanks for not respecting me, I guess.”
Hill would finish with five receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns. He likely could’ve had more, but head coach Mike McDaniel took his foot off the gas in the second half.