Tag: 2022 Commanders Defense

How did the Commanders defense surrender 37 points?

Yes, the Commanders allowed 37 points, but the defense wasn’t nearly as bad as you think. Turnovers and short fields plagued them all game.

Upon seeing the final score, the first thought in many Commanders’ fans’ minds might just have been, “How did the Commanders defense give up 37 points?”

Some no doubt will say the defense played the worst they had all season because they gave up the most points in this game. But isn’t that rather simplistic? Consider the following:

A turning point was no doubt when Washington, trailing 14-7 in the third quarter, faced a 4th & 1 from their own 34. Taylor Heinicke’s quarterback sneak was unsuccessful.

Thus the 49ers started on the Washington 34. On 2nd & 9 from the 33, Jeremy Reaves committed a common error that entirely too many Commanders make. Brock Purdy faking a handoff wide right, Reaves naively came off the edge chasing the running back. You are NEVER going to make that play, so why not go to the quarterback, because if he keeps the ball, you have lost all contain.

Sure enough, Purdy was easily outside of Reaves, found George Kittle who also received the benefit of a hold from Jauan Jennings on Darrick Forrest, and suddenly the Commanders were down 21-7.

Next, trailing 24-14, Heinicke was sacked, fumbled and the 49ers recovered at the 11. Yet the Commanders held to only yield a field goal.

Two plays later, Heinicke again gave up the ball with an interception to Jimmie Ward at the Washington 25. Once again the defense held, limiting the 49ers to another field goal.

Joey Slye’s unfortunate onside kick attempt gave the 49ers yet another extremely short field, as they started on the Commanders’ 33-yard line on their way to scoring their final points, a Christian McCaffrey 1-yard run. Consequently, four times the 49ers scored, it was the result of a short field.

On the other side of the coin, the Commanders did give up a 71-yard touchdown run by Ray-Ray McCloud. Not sure if that was a called run blitz by Jamin Davis, but he took himself entirely out of the play from the start.

Not to be overlooked, the Commanders badly missed safety, Kam Curl. Incidentally, Curl was also injured, missing the first two games of the season. In Week 2, the Commanders yielded 36 points and several explosive plays to the Lions.

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Chase Young’s return for Commanders is encouraging

You couldn’t help but be excited for Chase Young after his debut Saturday.

None of us knew what to expect, knowing Chase Young was making his return Saturday, against San Francisco.

Young had not played since the November 2021 home win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Young tore his ACL.

ESPN stats states Young was in on two tackles Saturday, one solo, one assisted, and also deflected a pass.

It may not make the stat sheet, but Young also had a play in the second quarter where he clearly determined to set the edge, and force the runner back inside and Daron Payne appeared in the gap to make the tackle. But it was a good example of doing your job in playing defense and your teammate being accountable to then do his own job as well.

On the very next 49ers snap from scrimmage, quarterback Brock Purdy was alone in an empty set on 2nd & 9 from the 49ers 14-yard line. Taking the snap at his own 9-yard line he dropped shortly to the 6, looked right toward tight end George Kittle who was breaking to the sideline at the 19-yard line.

As Purdy released his pass for Kittle, Young who was lined up as the left defensive end, leaped in the air raising his right arm and hand into Purdy’s passing lane. Young’s timing was terrific, making contact with the ball, deflecting the ball up into the air, and the ball landing just a couple of yards behind Young.

I didn’t expect much from Young in his season debut Saturday. I mean, after all, I didn’t see much from him in 2021 either. Oh, he rushed way upfield, leaving huge running lanes at times for agile, mobile quarterbacks.

But today, Young looked to be comfortable, have a spring in his step, and more than once looked to play team defense rather than simply leave his area to chase the ball all over the field.

Recalling both Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio had previously voiced their frustration with Young not doing his job last season, performing more like an independent contractor. However, Young’s 2022 debut Saturday was encouraging.

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Why did the Commanders lose to the Giants Sunday?

We look deeper into why the Commanders lost to the Giants in Week 15.

The quick knee-jerk reaction is to blame the officials, but the Commanders offense deserves most of the blame for the Commanders discouraging loss to the Giants in Week 15.

Yes, the defense gave up a 97-yard, 18-play scoring drive. But are you aware the other Giants possessions produced drives of 3, 19, -1, 17, 43 (field goal), 5, 33, 54 (field goal) and -2 yards (end of game)?

Consequently, the Commanders defense only yielded one touchdown and two field goals to the Giants offense for 13 points. How many NFL games do you think you should win if your defense and special teams only yields 13 points? 95 percent? 98 percent? Seriously.

On the other hand, the Commanders offense gave up a strip-sack touchdown when Taylor Heinicke was blindsided by Kayvon Thibodeaux and Thibodeaux returned the fumble one yard for a touchdown.

The Commanders offense produced a mere 12 points. In today’s NFL, isn’t this inexcusable? Looking at the scores of Week 15 games, only the Browns won with as few as 13 points and the Chargers won, scoring 17. Every other winner scored 20 or more, with six winners this week scoring 30 or more points.

The Commanders moved the ball several possessions, rushing for 159 yards on 26 carries and passing for 249 yards on 17 completions.  However, the Commanders yielded three quarterback sacks, fumbled on four offensive plays, losing two of them, and had a costly delay of game in the first half. After moving the ball, the Commanders repeatedly could not convert third downs, finishing the night 1-10.

One of 10 on third downs? Yes, the Commanders moved the ball several times, but repeatedly could not perform on third downs, whether it was protections, decision-making by the quarterback, pulling the trigger by the quarterback, receivers not effectively running routes, or catching third-down passes.

How many NFL games does a team win when they only convert third downs ten percent of the time?

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The Commanders are winning more with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback

For right now, the only stat that matters is wins.

While Taylor Heinicke starts at quarterback for the Commanders, the team is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.

How about Heinicke’s drive late in the fourth quarter, leading to his 28-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson, tying the game at 20-20? On the drive, Heinicke completed six of his eight passing attempts for 90 yards and the tying touchdown.

Remember also the drive included a 4th & 4 from the Washington 27. Heinicke was forced out of the pocket and moving to his left, no less, saw and connected with Curtis Samuel for 20 yards to the Washington 47. If Heinicke does not move out of the pocket and find Samuel, the Giants gain possession of the ball deep in Washington territory up 20-13. Game over.

This tweet by Al Galdi brought some interesting interaction among Commanders fans.

Heinicke has come through wonderfully in the fourth quarter for Washington in most cases. Yet, if we are going to be objective and honest, there was also the Vikings game where his fourth-quarter interception was paramount.

It is also just as true that in the last three Commanders games, the offense has not produced a single pass play gaining at least 30 yards.

One must go all the way back to the Monday Night game at the Eagles when Heinicke connected with Terry McLaurin for 41 yards to locate the last time he had a pass completion for at least 30 yards.

When looking at the NFL passer ratings, 33 quarterbacks qualify for having enough passes thus far this season. Heinicke is 25th of the 33 at 86.3. Heinicke’s QBR is 26th of 33 at 42.9.

His net yards gained per pass attempt is up to 21st of 33 at 5.94. This means you don’t have to have a big arm to succeed in this very important metric. If you can get the ball on target to your skilled receivers in space, they can gain plenty of yards after the catch.

Yet, despite the passing offense often being less than productive, as the numbers reveal, the Commanders are 5-1-1 in games Heinicke has started. They are winning with the formula of running the ball often, winning the time of possession and leaning on your defense to keep you in each game.

It’s not the best formula, but it is showing to be good enough… at least for now.

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How are the Commanders defensive numbers?

We examine Washington’s defensive numbers, and they are a primary reason the Commanders are in a good position to make the playoffs.

It’s been a fun last seven weeks as the Commanders have won six of their last seven games and five of the six games started by Taylor Heinicke.

I decided to look at some more of the defensive numbers and see what I learned about how the Commanders are performing defensively (through 12 games) in relation to the other 31 teams in the NFL.

Here are the team offensive numbers I shared Saturday.

DEFENSE

*I have emboldened where the Commanders rank 1st

Points Allowed: 14th with 236

Yards Allowed: 12th with 3,720

Yards per play: 14th with 5.3

Takeaways: 15th with 14

First Downs allowed: 7th with 207

Passing Yards allowed: 16th with 2,419

Passing Touchdowns allowed: 28th with 19

Passes Intercepted: 20th with 7

Passing Yards allowed per attempt: 13th with 6.0

Passing First Downs allowed: 10th with 117

Rushing Yards allowed: 14th with 1301

Rushing Touchdowns allowed: 5th with 6

Rushing Yards per carry: 16th with 4.4

Rushing First Downs allowed: 7th with 63

Percentage of Drives ending in offensive score: 7th with 31.6%

Percentage of Drives ending in offensive turnovers: 9th with 8.8%

Passing Completion Percentage allowed: 4th with 60.1%

Passer Rating allowed: 16th with 90.8

Times Quarterback Sacked: 13th with 30

QB Hits: 1st with 87

Tackles for a loss: 3rd with 65

Percentage of time sacked QB on pass attempts: 12th with 7.4

Net yards gained per pass attempt: 13th with 6.0

Points allowed per game: 10th with 19.7

Average Number of Plays allowed per offensive drive: 1st with 5.3

Net Yards allowed per drive: 5th with 27.5

Average time allowed per drive: 1st with 2:24

Average points allowed per drive: 8th with 1.68

 

Del Rio and Commanders defense working to be better vs. Eagles

Jack Del Rio isn’t pointing fingers. The entire defense must get better, and he knows the Eagles present a difficult challenge.

Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio met with the media Thursday as the Commanders prepare for the 2-0 Philadelphia Eagles.

Film from the Detroit loss is enough to reveal players making fundamental errors not filling gaps, not setting the edge, getting beat in both man and zone coverage on pass plays.

Del Rio knows Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has improved.

“He’s always been very competitive. I think he’s probably playing a little more polished at the position in terms of directing the offense and distributing the ball. They’ve done a great job surrounding him with playmakers, and their offensive line is very talented, and he’s a good football player. So that’s a good group.”

Del Rio spoke of his group growing and developing.

“The last couple of weeks haven’t gone exactly like we’d like. There are some really good moments in each of the ball games, and I think there’s some things that we’ll certainly learn from and do a lot better going forward. So, I like the group. The group is working really hard. I think we’ve had a good time, kind of putting it all together. I expect us to play better football.”

When asked about what he has noticed in the giving up of explosive plays, Del Rio wasn’t taking any bait this week to name names.
“Not one thing. Like I said, we acknowledge what hasn’t gone the way you’d like. I don’t think it benefits anyone to sit here and have a finger-pointing session. We take ownership, and we have moved on. We’re getting ready for the next challenge.”

When Del Rio was asked what he personally does when a play doesn’t go right, he responded, “I think you’re re-asking what I’ve already really addressed. Things that didn’t go right we’re correcting and things that go right, we acknowledge. I think either way there’s accountability and then we’re moving on. So, right now we’re preparing for the Eagles, and we don’t spend a lot of time, especially on a Thursday of game week, worrying about what was; it’s more about preparing and then competing this weekend.”

Del Rio knows the Eagles won both games last year and the offense has added A.J. Brown to their receiver group.

“He’s a big, strong, talented wide receiver. Really a good football player. It’s another weapon. I think their tight end’s really good. I think their backs are really good. I think they have a really big, strong, talented, offensive line. It’s a good football team. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The defensive line the deepest unit last year is thin this season. Del Rio responded, “Guys are getting a lot of reps looking at different possibilities and trying to heal up best the guys that are a little nicked up. It’s a fluid process. I think, really in all the cases.”

On CB Benjamin St-Juste:
“Yeah, we like Kendall [Fuller] outside. Juice has been pretty solid inside. There are things that we’ll continue to do better as he gains experience from playing in the position.”

On CB William Jackson III:
“I think he’s done okay. I don’t really want to sit and evaluate our players each week. I’m going to start nipping that a little bit. I mean our job is to prepare for the next opponent. We can talk a little bit, generally about things like that. I think overall; I think our group is playing well. I think Will’s playing well. I think we’re going to play better as we go. So that’s where we are.”

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Rivera talks Commanders’ defense

Ron Rivera discusses some of Washington’s young defenders.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera had quite a bit to say regarding his defense, when talking with the media.

Are the Commanders looking to blitz more this season?

“I think that’s something that as we evaluate who we are and what we do, we have some guys that we think are very good blitzers. We think [LB] Jamin [Davis] is a very good blitzer. We think [S] Bobby McCain is a good blitzer. We like who [CB] Benjamin St-Juste is in terms of blitzing. You have guys that are quick and understand. You want to use those guys and it does help the defensive line if you blitz and you blitz early in the game, now, they don’t know what to expect.”

2021 rookie CB Benjamin St-Juste suffered injuries, but this year is looking better prepared as well.

“There were some things that Jacksonville did that we weren’t prepared for. I think they caught us with something that was different, a little new and it kind of put us in a tough spot, but we got out of it. I thought he handled that pretty well. That was good. It was really good to see him out there playing to his ability. He has a tremendous skill set, has good size, and he can run. I think he is only going to get better at that position and really be an asset for what we want to be on defense.”

Coach Rivera likes Kam Curl and is hopeful he returns quickly.

“I think with him, just a little bit more of a DB presence near the box. I know DFoe (Darrick Forrest) did a great job. He did things tremendously well and the things we asked him to do did very well. With Kam, there is a bigger presence. His stature, size and his impact as a player, but again, take nothing away from what Dfoe did. That was a tremendous performance, and he made an impact in the game.”

Rivera spoke to some of Jamin Davis’ issues but remains confident Davis will contribute greatly.

“Really, playing to your leverage side, understanding exactly, if I have inside leverage, I want to make sure that this guy goes up and over. If he goes over the top of me, it makes it a longer throw and forces the ball to be elevated, it gives the safety a chance to help me. If I pop my feet and back up just enough and that guy gets underneath, now I’m in a chase position and that is not where my leverage is. That’s the mistake he made. He knows, hey, go take the air out of them from an inside position, make them roll over the top. If I’ve got help outside inside then I want to get him inside as quickly as possible. Then, I know the guy is down there to help me. Those are some of the things that he has got to be aware of. It is with reps, time, understanding, growth and development. He is a young guy that is still learning but because of his skillset and what he is capable of he can make those plays.”

Losing Phidarian Mathis in the very first half of the first game, after losing both Tim Settle and Matt Ioanidis means the Commanders were extremely thin inside at defensive tackle. Thus, they added Donovan Jeter to the roster from the Steelers’ practice squad.

“Big, stout, physical young man (Jeter) more so than anything else. Right now, with our situation, we opted to sign the bigger guy, a bigger body. Space eater up inside, very active as a player. I like his first-step quickness, his ability to get into the crease and hold the point. He holds doubles pretty well. He is going to be a little bit of a space-eater and allow those guys behind him or next to him to work and make some plays. Big guys like that, with quickness, command a little bit more attention inside.”

“Having gone through camp with the Steelers and playing as well as he did, we just felt this is a young man that we will give a shot and see. He is a bright young man and he has done a nice job so far. He has only been in the playbook for two days but he has had an opportunity to rotate in and out. ”

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