The Washington Commanders dropped to 3-4 on the season after Sunday’s frustrating 14-7 loss to the New York Giants.
Washington fans have seen the team lose in every way imaginable over the years. But in Ron Rivera’s four years as head coach, the Commanders often fall into a predictable pattern. Slow starts have plagued Washington — to games and the season — since Rivera took over in 2020.
The one consistency for Rivera’s Commanders has been inconsistency. Washington can hang with — or beat — one of the NFL’s elite teams one week, then look thoroughly unprepared and overmatched the following week against one of the NFL’s worst teams.
After Sunday’s loss to the 1-5 Giants, Rivera wasn’t ready to throw in the towel on the 2023 season, nor should he be. Rivera was asked if he feels the season is slipping away.
“To me, it’s how you bounce back,” Rivera said. “We have ten games left to go; you never know what’s going to happen. You have to take them one at a time; you got to stay focused on it.”
I am not sure what Rivera was supposed to say here. He can’t say, “Yeah, we feel like the season is over after losing to the Bears and Giants in two of the last three weeks.”
However, Rivera’s words, at least to the fans and other observers around the NFL, fell on deaf ears.
There are 10 games remaining, and that’s a lot of football. But Washington’s flaws — and its history under Rivera — tell you exactly what you need to know about the 2023 Commanders. Their issues are in the foundation and not fixable. Sure, Washington could do some things offensively to help the offensive line protect quarterback Sam Howell better. The defense can make some adjustments. But you’ll never be able to count on anything sustainable from this team under Rivera.
There are now four years of data points telling you this team is average — or worse. The talent is probably overrated; the coaching staff is not getting the job done. Washington fans watch other teams making in-game adjustments and are jealous. The Commanders don’t adjust to what other teams are doing until it is too late. You don’t think the players notice this?
Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen’s frustrations after Sunday’s loss is probably how most players feel. Allen is a leader; he’d never throw a coach or teammate under the bus, but this is his seventh NFL season. He likely sees how far this team is still away from contending.
There are 10 games left. In each of Rivera’s three previous seasons, the Commanders have gone on a run, beating some of the NFL’s best teams, getting fans excited before faltering late in must-win games against perceived lesser teams.
That type of run doesn’t feel likely this season. Why? Washington used a specific formula during those runs: Solid defense and a consistent running game that controlled the clock.
Washington’s defense is among the worst in the NFL this season, and Eric Bieniemy never seems to commit to the running game. And even if he did, have you watched this team run block?
The biggest question remaining is whether the new ownership will make any changes during the season if the struggles continue.