Tag: 2022 Commanders

Commanders should not overlook anyone, including the Giants

All five of the Giants’ losses are to 2022 playoff teams.

How bad are the New York Giants?

“Well, they are 1-5,” you reply.

Former Giants coach Bill Parcells used to often say a team is what their record says they are. Yes, once a team has a win/loss record, you can’t change it.

Yet, isn’t it just as true that your won/loss record only simplistically records the results of the games played? What does it say about the quality of opponents played?

Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida State, Washington, Oklahoma, Penn State and North Carolina are all undefeated. By the way, the Air Force, James Madison and Liberty are all undefeated as well. Are we to suppose they are all thus very equal teams?

Back to the Giants. I was looking at some of their woeful offensive statistics when I suddenly noticed their schedule. They defeated the Cardinals in Arizona. They have lost home games to Dallas and Seattle and road games at San Francisco, Miami and Buffalo.

Did you notice each of the Giants’ losses are to 2022 playoff teams? Yes, the Commanders lost to Buffalo and Philadelphia, but they also lost by 20 points to the Bears, who finished 3-14 in 2022, and their only win (1-5) this season is over the Commanders.

So, be careful, Commanders fans. This game may not be as easy as you are thinking.

All one needs to think about is last season.  The Commanders entered the game at the Giants sporting a 7-5 record. The teams faced each other twice in three weeks. The first game concluded as a 20-20 tie, and the Commanders fell to the Giants at FedEx Field 20-12.

A couple of weeks later, the Commanders, at home with their last chance to earn a playoff spot, fell to the 6-9 Cleveland Browns. They appeared lifeless, unmotivated.

But that is another story for another day.

Where are the Commanders in the NFC East right now?

A look at where the Commanders stand in the NFC East compared to their rivals.

Three weeks of playoffs have passed us, so where are the Washington Commanders thus far in this offseason?

The Commanders have publicly announced that they have interviewed Pat Shurmur, Ken Zampese, Charles London, Eric Studesville and Thomas Brown to fill the offensive coordinator position.

Eric Bieniemy is now said to be a target. Is Bienemy really that unhappy in Kansas City, that he would choose to leave Andy Reid for Ron Rivera? Would he actually rather work with Sam Howell than Patrick Mahomes?

Why on earth would Bieniemy consider a lateral move, working for a team that hasn’t had a winning record since the 2015 and 2016 seasons? Meanwhile, in those same eight NFL seasons, the Chiefs have won 11, 12, 10, 12, 12, 14, 12 and 14 games in regular seasons.

What are we missing here? What is not being said?

Are we simply to believe Bieniemy would make a lateral move to a young Sam Howell who has attempted a whopping 19 passes in his NFL career? He would actually make a lateral move away from Mahomes, who, since being the starter in Kansas City, has passed for 5,097, 4,031, 4,740, 4,839 and 5,250 yards.

Howell, with those 19 passing attempts, is the only quarterback on the roster for 2023. Consequently, the new offensive coordinator is by necessity going to be someone who has no guarantees about the ownership for the 2023 season, if Ron Rivera will be around for the 2024 season, or if he himself will be around past the 2023 season.

Meanwhile, in the NFC East, the Eagles have, in the last three seasons, drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round, traded Carson Wentz, moved on from a Super Bowl-winning coach, hired a first-time NFL head coach, and are back in the Super Bowl for the second time in only six seasons.

The New York Giants, in their previous five seasons, had lost 13, 11, 12, 10 and 13 regular season games. Enter Brian Daboll. Daboll, in his first season, managed to change the culture of the losing Giants and instantly improve them to move ahead of the Commanders and win a playoff game over the Vikings in Minnesota.

The Cowboys? Dallas won 8 and 6 games in the two seasons prior to head coach Mike McCarthy’s arrival. Since McCarthy took over the reins, Dallas has won 12 games in both 2021 and 2022, won a road playoff game, and gave the 49ers all they wanted in San Francisco in the divisional round. Meanwhile, the TV and Twitter pundits are repeatedly telling you what an idiot McCarthy is.

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Which Washington offensive coordinators do you recall?

Looking back at some of Washington’s previous offensive coordinators. It’s a pretty good list.

As a little kid following the team as closely as I could, I recall hearing for the first time of an offensive coordinator. George Allen was a defensive-minded head coach for Washington, but I was learning they had this coach in charge of the offense (to some degree), and he was Ted Marchibroda (1971-74).

I learned in just a few years that Marchibroda really knew offense when as head coach of the Colts, his teams were exciting on offense, winning the AFC East. I began hearing how Allen had actually been too conservative, handcuffing Marchibroda.

Charlie Waller (1975-77) was the next Washington offensive coordinator. I naturally thought he must be great. Until a couple of years later and I heard Joe Theismann praising then-offensive coordinator Joe Walton (1978-80) for being his most organized ever, coordinating the quarterback pass drops with the timing of the offense.

I was a teenager (didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did) but have always remembered this Theismann comment because it struck me, causing me to wonder what Waller had been doing with the offense the previous seasons.

When Joe Gibbs was the head coach, Joe Bugel (1981-89) was listed as the offensive coordinator, but it was Coach Joe always calling the plays. Steve Spurrier didn’t have an OC, either. That time it didn’t work out so well.

When Coach Joe came out of retirement, he determined he needed not one but both Al Saunders (2006-07) and Don Breaux (2004-07) as his offensive coordinators.

Sherman Smith (2008-09), Kyle Shanahan (2010-13), Sean McVay (2014-16), Matt Cavanaugh (2017-18), and Kevin O’Connell (2019) all brought their own backgrounds and philosophies to the role.

Frankly, I don’t know what type of OC Scott Turner (2020-22) was. I heard all of the complaining about the play-calling this season. But I do know this. When I watched the All-22 viewpoint, I often saw guys schemed open and Washington quarterbacks not getting the ball to them.

Yes, it is important whom they hire, but in 2023 they are going to NEED better offensive line play and better quarterback play.

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Sam Howell becomes number 8 for Commanders Ron Rivera

Sam Howell becomes the eighth quarterback to start a game for the Commanders under Ron Rivera.

Sam Howell’s jersey number is 14; in addition, he becomes number 8 for Ron Rivera.

Sunday, when Sam Howell gets his first NFL start against NFC East rival Dallas, Howell will be the eighth quarterback to play the position for Washington in Ron Rivera’s three seasons as head coach.

It has been much more crowded behind center for the Burgundy and Gold than the majority of NFL teams. This season saw Rivera go with Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Wentz again and now Howell in Sunday’s season finale at FedEx Field.

The 2021 season saw Rivera start Ryan Fitzpatrick, Heinicke, Garrett Gilbert and then Heinicke again. Also, Rivera pulled Heinicke during both losses to the Cowboys, choosing to play Kyle Allen the rest of the way.

Rivera’s first season in Washington was chaotic at quarterback. Rivera started Dwayne Haskins, then benched Haskins for Kyle Allen. Allen broke his ankle, and Rivera bypassed Haskins and went with Alex Smith.

Smith’s limited leg began to break down, and Rivera had to go back to Haskins. Haskins played so poorly that he was benched against the Panthers for Tyler Heinicke. Smith returned to play the season finale in Philadelphia, but the leg so restricted Smith that Rivera gave Heinicke his first start in the playoff game against Tampa Bay.

It’s been a wild and frustrating ride at quarterback for Rivera, perhaps best illustrated by the fact that he traded two second-day draft picks for Wentz. However, after his woeful play in the loss to the Browns, Wentz may likely not even be active in the season finale.

Enter Sam Howell into the quarterback equation. Just this week, one of the more respected analysts of the Commanders, Logan Paulsen, expressed, “From what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, Sam is not ready”.

Might it be a baptism by fire for Howell against the Cowboys?

As an eighth day begins a new week, here’s to hoping the eighth quarterback for Rivera in Washington, Sam Howell, will mark a new beginning for the Burgundy and Gold.

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Santana Moss: Commanders have been outcoached

Santana Moss is always positive, but he has some concerns.

Brian Mitchell was not the only one upset regarding the Commanders’ anemic performance Sunday against the Browns.

Santana Moss and JP Finlay also had strong comments they felt should be expressed as well during the NBC Sports Washington postgame show.

SM: “I consider myself the optimist about different scenarios and situations we are in. That is how you have to be with life. You can’t always just expect the worst. That is what I was giving this team, the benefit of the doubt.

But when we keep sitting here waiting for a scenario to play out (pause)… No! You have your destiny in your hands. That is the scenario. Come out here, do your job and do it well.”

“Look, I am not going to sit here and act like I have not been on teams that have stunk it up. I have. But the one thing I have done is leave it on the field. Some of those guys out there don’t deserve what we just saw. Some of those guys go out there and leave it on the field.”

“But when a coach and his staff dictates what we want to put out there, then you cannot blame the players. Collectively we have been saying this too many times down the stretch of these last few games that coaching has been standing out more than a lack of players going out there not performing.”

“I feel like every week we have been talking about someone outcoaching us. We can’t sit here and say that week-in and week-out and expect the players to go out there and give me a different outcome.”

JPF: “This is the type of loss, that in a strong organization, everything is on the table following this. You may have to completely clean house after a loss like this. Against a team that is already eliminated from the playoffs that just won this game from start to finish.”

“I don’t know the final numbers because I had to run down here (field). They were on path for their worst offensive performance since week six (Chicago). Which, I don’t think coincidentally was Carson Wentz’ last start.”

“So, just making that decision to go from Heinicke to Wentz, somebody has got to own that, and that somebody is Ron Rivera. You can criticize a billion other things, both coordinators.”

“This offensive line? I hate that I keep going back to this. Please let me know. I would love for someone to put their left hand up and let me know who decided to let Brandon Scherff walk for this collection of dudes.”

“Trent Williams, gone. Brandon Scherff, gone. You know where those guys are going? Canton! You know where this group is going? Fishing when the playoffs start. It is a complete lack of accountability from the top down. If this was a strong organization, ownership would be looking at a complete review of everything they have.”

“But this isn’t a strong organization, and we have no idea what ownership is doing. And if I had to guess, probably nothing, because the sale is coming. You know what you are not going to do with the sale coming? You are not going to fire a bunch of people, and then have to pay out their contracts.”

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When they last met: Washington and NY Giants

The Commanders and Giants last met — two weeks ago.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Washington 20, New York Giants 20 – Week 13, Dec. 04, 2022

Former Washington Redskin and current New York Giants kicker Graham Gano’s 58-yard field goal attempt missed as time expired in the overtime period, resulting in a 20-20 tie for the Commanders and Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Commanders had scored their first two possessions jumping out to a 10-0 lead. However, in their first possession, on a 1st & 10 at the NYG 22, Taylor Heinicke missed a wide-open Logan Thomas for what should have been a touchdown. Washington settled for a 21-yard Joey Slye field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

For the next two full quarters, the Commanders were outplayed by the Giants 20-3 as the Giants drove 45, 81, 66 and 20 yards scoring on four consecutive possessions.

When the Commanders began a fourth-quarter possession at their own 10-yard line, only 3:53 remained on the game clock, with the Commanders down 20-13.

Heinicke rose his level of play, completing passes of 11 yards to Terry McLaurin, 6 yards to Curtis Samuel, and on 4th & 4 from the Washington 27, he again found Samuel for 20 yards to the Commanders’ 47.

Again it was Heinicke to Samuel, this time for 25 yards to the NYG 28 and a first down. On the next play Heinicke found Jahan Dotson, who spun his way to a 28-yard touchdown tying the game 20-20 with 1:45 remaining.

Washington’s last three possessions (one in regulation, two in overtime) all resulted in Tress Way punts. The Commanders allowed Heinicke to be sacked five times and hit 10 times by the Giants.

Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 96 yards in 21 carries while Terry McLaurin had 105 receiving yards in eight receptions and Curtis Samuel’s six receptions totaled 63 yards.

Slye missed a 52-yard field goal with 10:12 remaining and Washington trailing 20-13.

 

 

NFC East makes another strong statement

It was another statement week from the NFC East.

Not only did the Commanders and Giants play such a tight game it ended in a 20-20 tie, but the Cowboys again provided the week’s most dominant performance, and the Eagles put a whoopin’ on the Titans.

After Week 13 games, the NFC East record is now 34-13-2. By contrast, the closest division to this success in 2022 has been the AFC East whose overall record is now 30-18.

Eagles 11-1

Cowboys 9-3

Giants 7-4-1

Commanders 7-5-1

The tie in New York meant that on the same day when Seattle won at Los Angeles, both the Commanders and Giants could have done much worse with a loss. The Giants could have fallen into a tie with the Seahawks at 7-5. The Commanders could have fallen to 7-6, a full game behind the Seahawks. So both the Commanders and Giants remained very much alive in pursuit of the playoffs.

Ok, yes, the Cowboys roughed up the Colts who entered the game 4-7-1. However, the Eagles really took care of business destroying a Titans team that came into the game 7-4. No one compares the Titans to teams like the Colts this season.

Dallas was in a tough, tightly contested game in the second half, leading only 21-19, when suddenly it was like they literally turned on the switch. “Ok, let’s get serious now.”  What followed were five yes, five fourth-quarter Cowboys touchdowns, resulting in a 54-19 massacre of the Colts.

Both the Eagles and Cowboys have shown they can defeat good teams; yet, in the last three weeks, the Cowboys have shown they can destroy NFL teams. One of those teams was the Vikings 40-3 in Minnesota. Keep in mind the Vikings are 10-2 this season. Did I forget to mention their two losses were convincing losses to the Eagles and the Cowboys?

Barring a major injury, don’t be surprised to find the Cowboys and Eagles continuing to play the best football throughout the end of this regular season.

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NFC East goes 1-1 in Week 9

The Giants and Cowboys were off in Week 9.

With the NFL schedule having the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys both off for Week 9, the NFC East looked as if it was going to be 2-0.

The Eagles had already defeated the Texans 29-17 Thursday Night in Houston to remain the NFL’s only defeated team at 8-0.

The Commanders had the Vikings on the ropes and struggling to stay alive. Washington led 17-7 in the fourth quarter. The Vikings suddenly rallied, outscoring the Commanders 13-0 in the final quarter for the 20-17 win.

  • Eagles 8-0
  • Cowboys 6-2
  • Giants 6-2
  • Commanders 4-5

The Eagles’ victory means Philadelphia is 8-0 for the first time in franchise history. Jalen Hurts has the longest winning streak for an NFL starter, dating back to his final three games of 2021, for an 11-game total currently.

Hurts was pretty much flawless against the Texans, completing 21 of his 27 attempts for 243 yards, and two touchdowns.

Javon Hargrave was a beast against the Texans. Hargrave contributed seven tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits. He was clearly the dominant force on the line of scrimmage, Thursday.

The Commanders have to be kicking themselves for leading 17-7 early in the final quarter before being outscored 13-0 in the final frame. Taylor Heinicke had his typical game–inconsistent. Heinicke passed for 149 yards, though completing only 15 of 28 attempts. He only managed to produce 5.3 yards per attempt.

Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen had good games inside for the Commanders. Payne collected four solo tackles, four tackles for a loss, one sack and two QB hits. Allen contributed two tackles for a loss and four QB hits.

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