Tag: 2023 Commanders

Panthers game will reveal much about 2024 Commanders

We will learn a lot about the Commanders this week.

The Panthers game is a big game this Sunday.

No, I’m not kidding. Honestly, it is a bigger game than many may realize.

Oh, how quickly we forget.

That’s right. In one short calendar year, the Commanders revealed to all of their fan base and the NFL world that they were never going to have a winning team under Ron Rivera.

Rewind to October 1, 2023. The Commanders (2-1) went up to Philadelphia to play the Eagles and lost a tough, contested game 34-31 in overtime.

What happened next was an eye-opener. The Commanders were announced as a 6.0-point favorite to defeat the winless and hapless 0-4 Chicago Bears at FedEx Field.

Players were heard in postgame interviews talking about how the loss in Philadelphia had been a good loss. Ron Rivera continued to talk about how the culture was good and how he believed in his team and, in particular, Sam Howell at quarterback.

Reading Twitter and listening to DC sports radio the next three days, the overwhelming consensus was the Commanders were so much better than the Bears and would win handily in the Thursday Night Football game.

Watching the game was so enlightening. From the outset, it was irrefutable that Ron Rivera did not have his team ready to compete. The Commanders were a step slow, they were not intense. The fact is Ron Rivera’s team was not energetic, and they were not competing as the Bears were.

The Bears thoroughly embarrassed Rivera’s team on national television. The team that seemingly was two games better, playing at home and on a very short week, found itself down 17-0 and then 27-3 at the half. The final score was 40-20. It was the definitive moment; we all knew the Ron Rivera era was finished. He was never going to have a winning team in Washington.

Fast-forward to 2024. Ron Rivera is gone, and Dan Quinn coaches here now. His team went to Baltimore last Sunday and won respect from the Washington fan base and NFL world, competing well, though losing to the Ravens 30-23.

Similarly to the 2023 game, the Commanders are 4-2, and the Panthers are only 1-5. Again, the game is going to be a Washington home game. The Commanders are a 7.5-point favorite.

Frankly, the Commanders need to be focused and intense in preparation, ready to show they are not resting on a moral victory like the 2023 team did.

This is an opportunity for Dan Quinn and his staff to show how much better they are than the Ron Rivera staff. Have this year’s Commanders team focused to truly compete each and every week.

On more than a couple of occasions, the Ron Rivera teams (2020-23) raised expectations and hopes of the fan base, only to then lay an egg in games where they were expected to or had a chance to win.

The good teams focus on process. On Sunday, we learn how focused and mature Dan Quinn’s Commanders really are.

When they last met: Commanders vs. Cardinals

What happened the last time the Commanders played the Cardinals? We look back at that meeting.

“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 Commanders 20, Arizona Cardinals 16 – Week 1, Sep. 10, 2023

In a sloppy season opener at FedEx Field, the Commanders came from behind to defeat the Cardinals 20-16.

New starting quarterback Sam Howell ran for a touchdown and passed for another touchdown, and Joey Slye added two field goals for the Commanders.

Though no one was aware at the time, the game was a foreshadowing of what was to come in the 2023 season.  How so?

  1. Washington would trail at halftime.
  2. The Commanders would have three turnovers losing the turnover battle.
  3. Washington would give up six quarterback sacks on the day.
  4. The Commanders were so horrible it would be the last home win of the 2023 season.

Washington trailed 13-7 after Howell was sacked, fumbled and Cameron Thomas scooped up the fumble and only had to travel two yards for a Cardinals touchdown.

Trailing 16-10 after three quarters, Sam Howell concluded a 29-yard drive in 7 plays with his own 6-yard touchdown, putting the Commanders on top of the Cardinals 17-16.

Following another Cardinals fumble, the Commanders could only generate seven yards, but it was enough for Joey Slye’s 33-yard field goal and the final scoring margin of 20-16.

Brian Robinson Jr. led Washington rushing with 59 yards in 19 carries, while Howell completed 19 of 31 passes for 202 yards, a touchdown pass to Robinson and one interception, finishing with a passer rating of 77.6.

Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson both had five receptions for 54 and 40 yards, respectively, while Logan Thomas caught four receptions for 43 yards.

Defensively, Montez Sweat (1.5), Jonathan Allen (1.0), and Abdullah Anderson (0.5) all contributed a quarterback sack. Sweat, Allen and Daron Payne all totaled two tackles for a loss. Payne and Anderson both also recovered a Cardinals fumble.

NFL Films review/previews the 2024 Commanders

NFL Films didn’t have a lot of good to say about 2023, but thinks the Commanders will be better in 2024.

NFL Films released their preview of the 2024 Commanders on Monday; they didn’t have much good to say about the 2023 Commanders.

Here are some excerpts:

“They were an unwatchful offensive product…25th in points per game, 24th in yards per game, 29th in turnovers, 28th in the red zone, it was bad.”

“They threw more than any team; they ran less than any team.”

“The O-Line 65 sacks taken, tied for 30th; their tackles were rough as Charles Leno and Andrew Wylie gave up ten sacks each.”

“Terry McLaurin is a star waiting for a quarterback.”

“Washington’s offense may not have sparkled; Washington’s defense was worse.”

“The offense will have seven new faces starting for it this season. with just as many changes for the defense.”

“Washington’s pass defense was probably the easiest to pass on.”

“Checking the last box on the defense, Washington didn’t defend the run well, either.”

“(Clelin) Ferrell’s track record makes it hard to assume anything with him.”

“Their secondary probably carries the biggest question mark outside of the quarterback spot.”

“A 6.5 over/under (wins total) does indicate improvement. They only play one team that has a lower over/under (Carolina Panthers 5.5). The Giants are their equal, so give them a home win there. They get the Tennessee Titans at home, and their preseason expectations are similar.”

“Their schedule, plus a rookie quarterback, is why their floor is a 3-14.”

“But if you look at their year from the glass-half-full perspective, all the changes make this an 8-win type team maybe.”

Here’s the full preview:

 

Commanders at Jets could be ugly this Sunday

One of the ugliest NFL games from the past 30 years occurred between the Jets and Washington. Could this weekend be as ugly as that 1993 game that ended 3-0?

Sunday, the 4-10 Commanders visit the 5-9 Jets.

The Jets defense has been one of the top defenses all season, while their offense has frankly stunk.

But the Jets must be thinking, with the Commanders defense being so pitiful this season, perhaps their offense can come up with enough explosive plays this week to pull out a win. I mean, the Commanders have been giving up explosive plays to everyone else, so the Jets are thinking, “Now, it’s our turn.”

Meanwhile, the Commanders offense, which until its last four games was moving the ball well, has slid backward sharply in their last four losses.

Jets’ QB Trevor Siemian will start Sunday vs. the Commanders. There is no sugar-coating his performance. Perhaps the one defense that can make him look better is the Commanders. They don’t rush the passer well, and to make up for it, they don’t cover the deep ball well either.

Yes, that was an attempt at humor.

The Commanders are again going to be without Brian Robinson Jr. Robinson has not only been Washington’s best runner, but its most effective receiver out of the backfield as well.

The Jets defense against the run has been stifling, and the cornerbacks are long and make it difficult for opposing receivers to get a release off of the line of scrimmage. Sam Howell, thus, may not have the quick reads open this week that he has often experienced.

It could be a low-scoring game, and it may come down to a kick.

Wonder how the new Washington long-snapper will execute under pressure?

 

Don’t tell Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy these last five games are not important

Don’t tell Eric Bieniemy that Washington’s five remaining games are not important.

Don’t even attempt to convey to Eric Bieniemy that the Commanders’ last five games of this 2023 season are not important.

Bieniemy played running back in the NFL for nine seasons (1991-99). He knows how important it is to finish strong, to be playing for next season, etc.

Next, the former NFL running back coached running backs for the Vikings for five seasons (2006-10) and then the Chiefs for five seasons (2013-17), before becoming their offensive coordinator for five seasons (2018-22).

It is very much a reality that there are NFL coaches right now who are not satisfied with their offensive coordinators and will be looking to see if they can obtain one who would be an improvement for their offense next season.

Being a competitor, there is 100 percent absolute certainty, Bieniemy knows he is coaching for a good job next season.

Consequently, if you think for one second that Eric Bieniemy is lying down at night wondering who Washington could get with a top-5 draft choice next season, you are very naive.

Bieniemy is studying daily, planning hard, teaching hard, coaching hard. He wants the Commanders offense to be effective, protecting Sam Howell, moving the ball, and yes, even running effectively when he feels they need to do so to slow down the opposing pass rush and get those tough yards.

So, look for Bieniemy to have Sam Howell getting the ball out early and, yes, often. Look for Sam Howell to be distributing the ball very generously to various receivers, attempting to keep all of those in coverage honest as well.

He is no doubt working to put Sam Howell in the best possible positions for success in each of these last five games. He is not going to put his arm around offensive players and whisper, “Take it easy, guys.” NEVER.

Don’t you think Bieniemy knows that if the defense had shown up in at least two more games, this team could easily be 6-6 and not 4-8? You bet he does.

Eric Bieniemy knows if Josh Harris hires a new head coach, the head coach will be the one determining who the Commanders offensive coordinator will be in 2024.

Consequently, these last five games are resume material for Eric Bieniemy, and he is going to be working hard with his offensive unit.

 

2023 NFC playoff picture after Week 11

A look at the NFC playoff picture after the Week 11 edition of Monday Night Football.

Losing to the Giants 31-19, the Commanders have now fallen to 4-7. Though not officially eliminated from the NFC playoffs, the odds of the Commanders qualifying have certainly taken major hits, as Washington has now lost four of their last five games.

NFC PLAYOFF STANDINGS

These are the four division leaders through ten weeks.

1. Philadelphia Eagles 9-1

2. Detroit Lions 8-2

3. San Francisco 49ers 7-3

4. New Orleans Saints 5-5

If the season concluded today, these would be the NFC’s three wildcard teams.

5. Dallas Cowboys 7-3

6. Seattle Seahawks 6-4

7. Minnesota Vikings 6-5

Those on the outside trying to get in:

8. Green Bay Packers 4-6

9. Los Angeles Rams  4-6

10. Atlanta Falcons 4-6

11. Tampa Bay Bucs 4-6

12. Washington Commanders 4-7

13. New York Giants 3-8

14. Chicago Bears 3-8

15. Arizona Cardinals 2-9

16. Carolina Panthers 1-9

2023 NFC playoff picture after Week 9

Believe it or not, the Commanders are in a good position.

Nine weeks are in the books, and the Commanders after nine games, are in ninth place in the race for the 2023 NFL playoffs.

The Commanders are sitting at 4-5, and what is so frustrating is how the team showed up entirely not ready to compete in a home Thursday Night game against the Bears at FedEx and how dismal their performance was against the anemic New York Giants.

Honestly, how is this team not 6-3, and how did they lose both of those games?

Meanwhile, the Commanders, with five losses, still must face the 49ers, Dolphins and play the Cowboys twice. In addition, there are road games against the Seahawks and the Jets, as well as a home game against a Giants team they face twice each season but have not defeated since the 2021 season finale.

NFC PLAYOFF STANDINGS

These are the four division leaders after nine weeks.

1. Philadelphia Eagles 8-1

2. Detroit Lions 6-2

3. San Francisco 49ers 5-3

4. New Orleans Saints 5-4

If the season concluded today, these would be the NFC’s three wildcard teams.

5. Seattle Seahawks 5-3

6. Dallas Cowboys 5-3

7. Minnesota Vikings 5-4

Those on the outside trying to get in:

8. Washington Commanders 4-5

9. Atlanta Falcons 4-5

10. Tampa Bay Bucs 3-5

11. Green Bay Packers 3-5

12. Los Angeles Rams 3-6

13. New York Giants 2-7

14. Chicago Bears 2-7

15. Carolina Panthers 1-7

16. Arizona Cardinals 1-8

Jonathan Allen glad Commanders got the win

Allen is not surprised by Casey Toohill’s success.

Jonathan Allen wanted to make a big play and got his wish.

“I was glad I was able to be a part of that play and help my team come home with the win yesterday.”

A part of the play? Did you notice what Allen had to do to make the play?

Atlanta had just scored to draw within 24-16 early in the final quarter against the Commanders Sunday in Atlanta. A pass interference call against Benjamin St-Juste put the ball at the one-yard line for a closer two-point attempt.

This time, Allen dug in head up over left guard Matthew Bergeron. At the snap, both fired off into one another, but Allen knocked Bergeron to the inside. Allen now had 240-pound fullback Keith Smith charging forward at him. Allen pushed off Smith to the outside and instantly met running back Tyler Allgeier in the hole; Khaleke Hudson then showed up to help out, ensuring Allgeier was stopped short of the goal line.

Allen was making his weekly appearance Monday with the “Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan.

“We forced turnovers when they got down inside the red zone. I think it was a good (defensive) performance, I won’t say great when you give up 400 yards. But overall, we did what we had to do to get the win.”

“When I first came out of college, I still had the Alabama mindset. Early in my NFL career, even if we won, I wouldn’t be happy unless we dominated. But the NFL is not like college. I’ve learned to really appreciate every win in the NFL because it’s tough.”

Atlanta drove 75 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown in their opening possession. Allen expressed, “The most dangerous part for a defense in the NFL is the first 15 they script. They have a game plan, an idea of how we are going to line up in certain situations. Then they have a precise plan of how to attack us…as a defense, we have to be better in the first 15.”

When asked about Emmanuel Forbes being benched, Allen said he and Kendall Fuller both told Forbes to stay focused and he will be ok. Both talked of how they failed at times early in their career and learned from it.

Allen also expressed he believes in Casey Toohill and was not surprised by the plays Toohill made when getting snaps at defensive end Sunday.

Allen said he told his defensive teammates Sunday to go out there and have fun, to play fast and for your teammates. He clarified by saying, yes, there are several things to still clean up, but he is glad they got the win.

Jay Gruden: Changes will come for Commanders after loss to Bears

Gruden provides some excellent analysis into what the Bears were thinking last week.

“The Bears are grown men who were getting destroyed in the media,” began Jay Gruden in his interpretation of what transpired Thursday at FedEx Field.

Gruden appeared on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Friday to discuss his observations of the Commanders’ miserable 40-20 loss to the Bears Thursday.

Here are a few select quotes from Gruden’s appearance.

“Nobody gave these guys [the Bears] a chance, including me.”

“They came out and threw haymakers early, and Washington never responded. When it was too late in the third quarter, Washington tried to throw a couple of body blows, but Washington was already knocked out.”

“I don’t know what is wrong with Washington’s defense, but they have to figure something out, especially in the secondary and at linebacker.”

“It was an impressive performance by Chicago, and you have to look at Washington and figure out what happened. They could never get anything going, got ambushed early, and could never recover.”

“They were battered and bruised up and had to fly to Denver and play Sunday. Then fly back to Chicago, and then to Washington (on a short week). Sometimes, when people are calling you names and your back is against the wall, grown men will fight back, and that is what Chicago did.”

“To allow DJ Moore to get 200+ yards (230) and three touchdowns is a little on the coaching and the technique of the players, but that can’t happen. But to have Moore hit you for 230, that is hard to fathom.”

“I was disappointed in the push and the pressure. I think Herbert had way too many runs between the tackles for gashes (10-76). That can’t happen with that front.”

“I felt the heat after every game (loss); that’s the way it is around here. You feel the heat when you lose. This is a very proud franchise with fans that feel very deeply about their football team and haven’t won since the run Joe Gibbs had (1981-92).”

“They are dying for success, and when they don’t get it, they want change. And that is what is going to happen.”

“You have to try to ignore the noise, focus on your job and make sure the players focus on their job, quit looking at Twitter and Instagram, whatever the heck they are looking at, and just focus on the next opponent and go from there.”

Why was Commanders loss to Bears so disheartening for fan base?

Is the honeymoon already over? Fans were let down once again.

Thursday’s 40-20 loss to the Bears was one of the more disappointing losses in recent Washington football history.

Why is this the case? Most likely it is because our hopes had been raised by multiple factors. What are those factors?

Sam Howell played well enough in his only 2022 game that we foresaw development this season and improvement at the quarterback position.

Ron Rivera, in the offseason, repeatedly told of how Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin were going to be helping this year’s team create turnovers, which was lacking on the 2022 defensive unit.

Eric Bieniemy was brought in to replace Scott Turner as offensive coordinator. Bieniemy was being presented as an instant, huge improvement over Turner, who could also help in the development of Howell.

Jahan Dotson flashed some really great pass-catching and route-running skills in his rookie season. Dotson would only improve in his second season, causing the offense to have a dynamic duo of wideouts in Dotson and Terry McLaurin.

2022 guards Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell very much underachieved in 2022. So much so that neither was invited back for this season. Sam Cosmi and Saahdiq Charles were said to be very much more athletic, mobile and would bring improvement to the interior of the offensive line as well as mobility in the screen game that terribly struggled in 2022.

Cole Holcomb departed via free agency, but oh, how the Commanders’ brass was happy with the signing of Cody Barton to start for Holcomb at linebacker.

Former owner Daniel Snyder sold the team officially in July. In addition, the new ownership group could not have launched their endeavor any better than they did that first weekend. Josh Harris, Mitch Rales and Mark Ein are local. They spoke of loving the Redskins. They proclaimed with energy they wanted to regain the glory days of the Redskins being one of the most successful franchises during the George Allen (1971-77) and Joe Gibbs (1981-92) seasons. And Earvin “Magic” Johnson would also help, having been such a competitor and team player himself in the NBA. 

Instantly, attendance at training camp soared. Excitement at the home preseason games was swelling. The team began the season with two opening wins. The home schedule saw three sellouts; fans were returning, spending their money because our hopes were rising.

We understood losing to Buffalo and Philadelphia; after all, both of those teams are Super Bowl contenders. So, much of the talk Monday through Wednesday was about how the Commanders were going to win this “must-win” over the Bears. There was even much talk of “by how much” would the Commanders need to win to satisfy the fan base.

Suddenly, the Commanders trailed 17-0. Disappointment became confusion, which led to consternation, anxiety and dread. Then it was 27-3 at the half, and most of us were frustrated, angry, infuriated.

Our hopes had been raised so much, only for the team to again completely dash them. Our emotional balloons had been burst.

Adversity has set in; the honeymoon period is coming to a close. We again hope, hope for a recovery to respectability.