Tag: 2022 Washington Commanders

Was Ron Rivera just asked to compare the Commanders to the ’85 Bears?

Ron Rivera was asked if there were any comparisons from this team to the 1985 Chicago Bears.

Did a Washington reporter actually just ask Ron Rivera the following question this afternoon at the press conference?

“One of the cool things about having you as coach is you get to give us a glimpse of playing on one of the legendary Bears teams. Not asking you to make any comparisons, but the team that you have, the defense and the characters, the people you have now on this team: Do you have any similarities between the times when you were with Dan Hampton, the Fridge, Jim McMahon. I mean there are characters on this team too. Sometimes do you laugh at some of the similarities?”

Bless Ron Rivera; he reflexively went along with the question and answered in the affirmative. But as he was answering the question, I couldn’t help but notice Rivera never compared the games, the results, the type of games, beatdowns, etc.

RR: “I do; there are some things that do remind me. I’ll start with Buddy (Ryan). Buddy spoke his mind, and that is what I get with Jack (Del Rio). He is honest, upfront, and speaks his mind.

Jack’s on us up front, and he speaks his mind. I think that’s cool. I think it’s important for the players to know where they stand. You sit there, and you look at some of the personalities that we have on that defensive line, and you know, Jonathan [Allen] reminds me an awful lot of a [Hall of Fame Chicago Bears Defensive Lineman] Dan Hampton type guy. He really does. He’s a tough hombre type of guy, and that’s what you get with Jonathan. You get that toughness. You got a little bit of that gunslinger when you talk about Taylor [Heinicke], and you compare that to Mac [Former Bears QB Jim McMahon] in terms of personalities, I mean each team has its own personality, and we got some guys with personalities.”

Well, the Commanders are 7-5-1 after 13 games. The ’85 Bears didn’t lose until their 13th game, a road MNF game in Miami 38-24. They only had three games all season they did not win by at least two scores.

I was age 22 during that 1985 NFL season. The Bears were the most dominant team I had ever seen. The 1972 Dolphins had won every game, finishing 17-0, beating Washington 14-7 in SB VII. Yet, that Bears team not only beat teams, they often humiliated them. Many games were a beatdown.

How good were the 1985 Bears? Washington was 10-6 that season. But when they went to Chicago, the Bears embarrassed them 45-10. Dallas also finished 10-6, so when the Bears went to Dallas they humiliated the Cowboys on national TV 44-0.

How good was the ’85 Bears defense? Their starting quarterback Jim McMahon had a TD/INT ratio of only 15:11. Yet, he won all 11 games he started. When McMahon was injured, the Bears backup Steve Fuller had a TD/INT ratio 1:5. Yes, you read that correctly, 1 TD to 5 INT. Yet the Bears went 4-1 in those five games.

When they reached the playoffs, facing the best the NFC had to offer, the Bears shut out the Giants 21-0 and then the Rams 24-0. Then in Super Bowl XX, they destroyed the Patriots 46-10.  Consequently, the ’85 Bears outscored their postseason opponents 91-10.

Next question, please?

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2022 NFL season is one of huge pendulum swings

It’s been a wild NFL season thus far for multiple teams.

It’s been a wild NFL season of huge pendulum swings in 2022.

Several teams are really up or really down in the NFC this season.

The Commanders started their season winning the opener over the Jaguars but then dropped four consecutive games. At 1-4, they narrowly escaped Chicago with a 12-7 win. Though they lost quarterback Carson Wentz to a broken finger, the Commanders with Taylor Heinicke behind center are 5-1-1, raising their record to 7-5-1.

The Giants are also 7-5-1; however, they are trending downward because they began the season 6-1. Thus, they are 1-4-1 in their last six games. They still have games with Washington, Philadelphia and Minnesota remaining.

Hard to believe, but the 49ers were actually 4-4 six weeks ago. Now the 49ers have put together five consecutive wins, are 9-4 and their rookie quarterback Brock Purdy looks like a huge find for the team in last year’s final round.

The Lions entered the season having accumulated double-digit loss seasons the last four consecutive seasons. After defeating the Commanders (36-27) in week two, the Lions proceeded to lose five straight, falling to 1-6. But the Lions have now won five of their last six, only losing a very close, competitive Thanksgiving Day battle to the Bills (28-25).

The Panthers were 1-5, they have fired head coach Matt Rhule, have traded Christian McCaffrey, released Baker Mayfield and yet, the Panthers are 5-8, still alive, having accomplished a huge 30-24 road win in Seattle.

On the other side of the coin, consider the defending NFC and Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams. The Rams were 3-3, and then the bottom fell out, and they dropped six straight games. Hard to believe a single returning player or coach thought in training camp, they could potentially lose six straight games.

With four weeks remaining, don’t be surprised when more surprises occur.

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Which Commanders are in the NFL’s top 10 statistics?

Several Washington players rank in the top 10 of various NFL statistics this season.

In this 2022 NFL season, which Washington Commanders players are among the league leaders’ top 10 in their respective categories as players?

The source for these statistics is ProFootballReference.com

  • Longest Pass: Carson Wentz (4th) and six others for 75 yards.
  • Pick-sixes: Taylor Heinicke and four others (2) and seven have one.
  • Pass attempts per game: Carson Wentz (6th) with 38.7
  • Pass completions per game: Carson Wentz (8th) 24.0
  • Comebacks: Taylor Heinicke (2) is tied for 9th with 8 players
  • Longest reception: Dyami Brown one of six tied for 4th, 75 yards
  • Receiving yards: Terry McLaurin (8th) with 945.
  • Yards per reception: Terry McLaurin (10th) with 15.2
  • All-purpose yards: Antonio Gibson (9th) 1,115
  • Yards per kick return: Antonio Gibson (6th) with 23.6
  • Punt return yards: Dax Milne (8th) 233
  • Kick and punt returns: Dax Milne (T1st) with 42
  • Punts: Tress Way (T2nd) with 66
  • Punting yards: Tress Way (4th) 3,101
  • Punt returns: Dax Milne (2nd) with 30
  • Tackles for loss: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne (T2nd) with 15
  • Passes defended: Kendall Fuller (T7th) 11
  • Fumbles forced: Jonathan Allen (T10th) 2

 

Ron Rivera changing Commanders’ prime time culture

Under Ron Rivera, Washington is no longer a prime-time embarrassment.

Since FedEx Field opened in 1997, the Washington NFL franchise was nothing short of woeful on Monday night football.

Even when the Commanders were playing well in the 2016 season, they came into FedEx Field in a December contest against the Carolina Panthers and laid an egg.

The numbers were unbelievably horrible. Washington was 2-21 in home Monday Night games through the 2019 season.

The memories of some of those games are so bad I’ve been unable to repress the memories. How could I ever forget the 2008 23-6 home loss to the Steelers in what felt (and sounded) like a Pittsburgh home game?

How about Jim Zorn’s Swinging Gate on a cold December 2009 night when Washington lost embarrassingly to the NY Giants 45-12?

The next season Mike Shanahan was the head coach, but that didn’t stop the Eagles from humiliating Washington 59-28.

Jay Gruden was at the helm when in 2018 Washington traveled to New Orleans only to get drilled by the Saints 43-19. That game was so ugly for Washington, looking so anemic on both sides of the ball.

Ron Rivera took the helm for the 2020 season. He found the NFL wanted to stay as far away from Washington in prime time as possible. The “Football Team” was not scheduled for either a Sunday night or Monday night game.

But there was Washington at 6-9, and a win would capture the NFC East. So the NFL flexed the Washington at Philly game in Week 17 to Sunday night in prime time.

Washington won that contest 20-14 and came back the following season to beat the Giants 30-29 (Thursday Night), Seattle 17-15 (Monday Night), before losing at the Eagles 27-17 (Tuesday Night) and Dallas 56-14 (Sunday Night).

This 2022 season the Commanders have defeated the Bears 12-7 (Thursday Night) and Eagles 32-21 (Monday Night).

Yes, with Ron Rivera, the NFL now looks to the Commanders in prime time for a good show. Thus the NFL has flexed the Week 15 Commanders’ home game against the Giants to Sunday Night Football.

Provides new meaning to changing the culture, doesn’t it?

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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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Commanders and Giants to battle for NFC playoff spot

It’s been a while since Washington and New York have played meaningful December football against one another.

It’s been 7 NFL seasons since Washington and New York played meaningful, important games in December against each other.

The Commanders, on Sunday, go to New York to face the Giants (7-4) who are in the 6th position, one-half game ahead of Washington. The oddity of the Washington schedule is going to be magnified greatly because both teams are unexpectedly in playoff contention as we enter December.

Consequently, Washington will play at the Giants on Dec. 4, enjoy its bye week on Dec. 11 and then turn right around and host the Giants in their next game on Dec. 18. Thus, both games will have large playoff implications, and for both teams.

The last time Washington and the Giants faced each other late in the season with both teams in playoff contention was 2016.  The Giants (10-5) had locked up a spot in the NFC playoffs. They traveled to meet Washington (8-6-1) at FedEx Field. The game meant everything for Washington, who with a win, would qualify for the playoffs. Yet, it was the Giants who from the opening kickoff, played with motivation and purpose, ending Washington’s season with a 19-10 victory.

This season the Giants have lost both of their games within the division, having lost twice to Dallas. Washington is 1-2 within the division, having lost to Philadelphia and at Dallas and defeating the Eagles in Philadelphia. Washington is 4-4 in the conference, while the Giants are 3-4 against the NFC.

If you are interested, Washington has the higher strength of schedule (.515 – .456) and also the higher strength of victory over the Giants (.395 -.381).

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NFC East keeps rolling, goes 3-1 in Week 12

Yet another banner week for the NFC East.

The NFC East continues to outperform all expectations, again going 3-1 in Week 12.

The Giants were the only divisional team to lose, falling 28-20 to the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving.

The Eagles outscored the Packers 40-33 and the Commanders survived the Falcons 19-13.

  • Eagles 10-1
  • Cowboys 8-3
  • Giants 7-4
  • Commanders 7-5

If the season had ended after Week 12, it would mark the first time in NFL history that all four teams in a division qualified for the playoffs. But of course, it is also just as true that this is only the third season where seven teams from each conference will qualify and participate in the playoffs.

Commanders LB concern: Cole Holcomb to IR

Cole Holcomb was placed on IR, and he will be out for a minimum of four weeks.

Linebacker Cole Holcomb’s foot injury is not progressing; consequently, the starting linebacker has been placed on injured reserve.

Holcomb the sturdy linebacker out of North Carolina, started the Commanders first seven games of the season. The loss of Holcomb is substantial, evidenced by the fact that though Holcomb has been unable to play in the last four games, the former Tar Heel still leads the team in combined tackles (solo and assists) with 69.

Jamin Davis has continued to develop, or this loss of Holcomb would have been an absolute disaster. Davis has played in all 11 games and is second in tackles with 58 (38 solo, 20 assists).

Placing Holcomb (a four-year veteran) on the reserve/injured list, Friday, the Commanders activated LB Milo Eifler from the Reserve/Injured list. Eifler stands 6-foot-1 weighing 228. Thus Eifler is more mobile than Holcomb, Jon Bostic, or David Mayo.

Eifler has appeared in two games for the Commanders in 2022. He did not play any defensive snaps in the loss to the Cowboys in Week 4 while playing 13 special teams’ plays. In the Week 3 loss to the Eagles, Eifler played 19 special teams’ plays and six defensive plays.

Of note, three weeks ago, the Commanders in response to the Holcomb injury, brought up LB De’Jon Harris from the practice squad. Harris is bigger at 6-foot-0, 245 pounds. In weeks 9-11, Harris has played 19, 20 and 21 special teams snaps. He has yet to play a down on defense for the Commanders this season.

The Commanders will go into Sunday’s contest against the Falcons with Davis, Bostic, Eifler, Harris, Khaleke Hudson and David Mayo at linebacker.

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Falcons at Commanders: Playoff implications for BOTH teams

Sunday’s game between Washington and Atlanta has playoff implications for both teams.

Washington’s 23-10 victory at Houston in Week 11 raised the Commanders’ record to 6-5, solely in 8th position where seven teams qualify for the playoffs.

Sunday, the Falcons (5-6) come to FedEx Field. Even a quick glance at their record, instructs Commanders fans that a loss to the Falcons would leave both teams at 6-6. However, the Falcons in this scenario would have the upper hand moving forward, having won the head-to-head meeting.

NFL Week 12 began Thanksgiving Day, and Commanders fans watched closely as the two teams ahead of the Commanders, the Giants and Cowboys, met in Texas. Both came into the game at 7-3, but with Dallas’ 28-20 victory, the Cowboys are now 8-3, and the Giants fall to 7-4.

The Commanders will naturally be tempted to look ahead to a Week 13 contest against the Giants. Yet, they simply cannot afford to make that mistake. The Commanders must control what they can control. They must take care of the task laid before them and defeat the Falcons Sunday.

A Commanders’ win would raise their record to 7-5, narrowing the Giants (7-4) lead over Washington to only one game.

Other Week 12 games related to the Commanders’ playoff chase have Tampa Bay (5-5) at Cleveland (3-7), Seattle (6-4) hosting Las Vegas (3-7), San Franciso (6-4) hosting New Orleans (4-7) and Green Bay (4-7) traveling to Philadelphia (9-1).

The Commanders must realize the Falcons sit alone in 9th place, only one game back and this is a big game for Atlanta. It must also not be overlooked that the two teams met last season.

No doubt, there are many Falcon players who vividly remember Washington won in the last minute when Taylor Heinicke found J.D. McKissic down the right sideline for a 30-yard touchdown, providing Washington the exciting 34-30 win.

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A good offensive stat for the Commanders in Houston

An interesting stat coming out of Sunday’s win over the Texans.

While the Commanders defense was sacking Texans quarterback Davis Mills five times, what did you notice regarding Taylor Heinicke being sacked?

Heinicke was not sacked the entire game, and what is significant about that is it was the first time this entire 2022 regular season that the Washington quarterback was not sacked.

In the 32-21 upset win in Philadelphia in Week 10, the Eagles got to Heinicke three times, as did the Vikings the previous week in the 20-17 loss at FedEx. In the 17-16 win in Indianapolis, the Colts sacked Heinicke twice, and in his first start this season he was sacked once by the Packers in the Commanders’ 23-21 victory.

Carson Wentz in his last start was injured against the Bears. Wentz managed to play the entire game but was sacked three times. In the 21-17 last-second loss to the Titans, Wentz was also sacked three times.

In the 25-10 loss at Dallas, Wentz went down twice. But of course, the absolute worst was the Week 3 blowout at FedEx by the Eagles, as they sacked Wentz nine times.

You may recall that Week 2 was pretty bad in a loss to the Lions in Detroit, where the silver and blue defense sacked Wentz five times. In the season-opening win over the Jaguars at FedEx, Wentz was only sacked once.

Thus far in 2022, Carson Wentz has made six starts, while Heinicke has started five contests. Wentz leads Heinicke in completion percentage (62.1 – 60.8), passing touchdowns (10-5), passing yards a game (248-206), and passer rating (84.1 – 81.8).

While Heinicke leads Wentz in yards per passing attempt (7.0 – 6.4), yards per completion (11.5 – 10.3), QBR (46.4 – 33), sack percentage (5.7 – 9.0), sacks (9 -23).

Coach Rivera would only offer that his decision to go with Heinicke over Wentz was strictly about winning. Washington is 2-4 in games started by Wentz while 4-1 with Heinicke.

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