Tag: 2024 Commanders Offense

Commanders’ offense looks for better showing vs. Eagles

The offense needs a better performance this time around.

The Commanders’ offense produced their least productive game this 2024 season in the first matchup against the Eagles.

Though the final score was 26-18, the Commanders were outgained 434-264. The Eagles gained 70 yards on their final drive, and the Eagles were clearly in a prevent defense, allowing Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels to complete easy, short passes.

Dan Quinn was asked Friday if the poor performance could motivate the offense in this game. Quinn talked about how the offensive unit felt better than they displayed. Of course, the offense is now without Austin Ekeler and Noah Brown.

“So, they’ve got an excellent front, and so we’ll have to, there’ll be some dead plays, meaning one yard and zeros, but we’re going to break some too. And that’s the piece that you stay with it, you stay aggressive, and what we’ve been able to do on the games where, time of possession and owning it, it happens a little longer down the field or, excuse me, during the game.”

Quinn also expressed that converting third downs may be a significant part of the offense’s success. He spoke of both defenses needing to get off the field on third down because both offenses have been successful on many long drives this season.

He stated the offensive line will be challenged by the Eagles front seven.

“It’s driven by the front for sure, defensively. They’ve got a big deep crew, pass rush acumen to them. And I thought the outside guys are playing strong. So, when they’re playing their quarters where they’re playing man-to-man and the rushers, that’s when you know they’re at their best.”

The Commanders are 0-4 in games against teams with a winning record this season. Wouldn’t it be nice to break that string this Sunday?

Commanders’ offense reminding some of the 1991 team

The current Commanders are doing things that hasn’t been done since the last Super Bowl team.

This Commanders team has accomplished something Washington hasn’t achieved in 33 seasons.

This dates back to pre-Daniel Snyder era teams, all the way back to Jack Kent Cooke being the owner, Joe Gibbs still being the coach, and Mark Rypien being the starting quarterback.

In 1991 the Washington Redskins were Super Bowl XXVI champions, having defeated the Buffalo Bills 37-24 after having led 37-10. This year’s 2024 team has no guarantees to match that accomplishment. However, this year’s team has scored 40+ points three times, and that 1991 Super Bowl champion team last accomplished that.

Led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders have scored 40+ points at the Cardinals (42-14), against the Panthers (40-7), and the Titans (42-19).

The Commanders have converted 71 of 161 3rd down attempts for 44.1 percent. They have done quite well on fourth downs, as Washington has converted 13 of 15 plays for 86.7 percent. The Commanders offense has executed well in the red zone, scoring touchdowns 60 percent of the time on 33 of 55 possessions.

The 1991 team actually accomplished the 40+ points feat four times in the regular season: against the Lions (45-0), against the Browns (42-17), against the Falcons (56-17), and at the Steelers (41-14) and then also in their NFC Championship game win over the Lions (41-10).

Yes, this year’s offense has often been fun to watch. In fact, the Commanders have scored 30+ points in five games already this regular season: at the Bengals (38-33), at the Cardinals (42-14), against the Browns (34-13), against the Panthers (40-7), and the Titans (42-19).

 

Commanders’ QB Marcus Mariota in a good place these days

Marcus Mariota will be ready for this opportunity if called upon.

Marcus Mariota has walked in Jayden Daniels’ shoes.

Mariota was brought to Washington because, as a veteran, he has a lot of experience to offer to Daniels.

The former Oregon Duck was drafted second overall in the 2015 NFL draft, just as Jayden Daniels was drafted second overall in this last 2024 draft.

Next week, Mariota will turn 31 (October 30), so he has been around the block a few times in the NFL. Having Mariota in Daniels’ ear each day of practice was a valuable opportunity for Daniels to learn all he could.

Mariota went to a Tennessee Titans team and started 12 games in his rookie season. However, the Titans only went 3-9 in those 12 games. On the other hand, Daniels is the beneficiary of a GM like Adam Peters, who knew how to overhaul a roster with 30+ new men on the team in one season. So Washington is 5-2 going into Sunday’s game against the Bears.

Mariota finished below .500 in his five years with the Titans (29-32). He then endured two tough years with the Raiders, during which time he never made a start.

In 2022, the Falcons were 5-8 in his 13 starts; something really blew up there, and Mariota was gone, not even finishing the season. It did not look good at all for Mariota going forward.

However, his season with the Eagles (2023) apparently went well in the locker room, and former Eagles coaches Brian Johnson and Mariota both came to Washington this offseason.

Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders OC) said this week he “saw his preparation, I saw how he operated in the spring…I think he embraced the moment. He’s only 30 and is still a tremendous talent.”

Then came last Sunday. Jayden unexpectedly was out with a rib injury, and Mariota was thrown into the fire. Who could have seen Mariota completing 18 of 23 for 205 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and a very impressive 8.9 yards per passing attempt.

This week, Kingsbury remained upbeat. “I think his best football is still ahead of him, and I’ve told him.”

Daniels says Mariota has been very positive for him. In addition, we see Mariota being encouraged and perhaps living out that encouragement he has received from Kingsbury.

Perhaps the Commanders will be the better place for Mariota.

 

Through 4 games, how good are the Commanders?

A look at the numbers explain the Commanders’ fast start.

How good are the Washington Commanders through four games?

No NFL analyst or Commander fan saw this team post the numbers it has in the first four weeks.

  • The Commanders lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 10. When they get in the red zone, they effectively run the ball via their running backs and quarterback. It is harder to defend 11 than to defend 10.
  • The Commanders are fifth, averaging 5.1 yards per rushing attempt. What a startling contrast to last year’s team, rushing the ball.
  • Who would have thought the Commanders would be averaging 169.3 rushing yards a game, third best in the league?
  • The passing completion percentage is the best in the NFL at 82.1. Of course, it will be coming down, but no one else is this efficient through four games.
  • 8.5 yards per passing attempt is good for third overall in the league.
  • Jayden Daniels’s passer rating of 107.4 is fourth-highest in the NFL.
  • Net yards gained per passing attempt, the Commanders are tied for third at 7.4.
  • 30.3 points scored per game? Who saw that coming?  (3rd highest)
  • Commanders are tops in the NFL in 3rd Down conversion percentage 53.5% and 4th Down conversions at 100%

YES, these numbers are also just as true:

  • 6.2 yards allowed per play, 31st in the NFL
  • Passing touchdowns surrendered (10) dead last in the NFL
  • Net yards allowed per passing attempt (7.0) 28th
  • First downs allowed (87) 27th
  • Passing first downs allowed (49) 26th
  • Rushing yards allowed per attempt (5.3) 31st
  • Percentage of drives ending in scores allowed (56.3) 32nd
  • Only 8 QB sacks, tied for 25th
  • QB Hurries 14 (15th)
  • Completion Percentage Allowed (72.0) 27th
  • Passer Rating Allowed (123.3) 32nd
  • Points Allowed per game (25.5) 25th
  • 3rd Down Conversion percentage allowed (54.8%) 32nd
  • 4th Down Conversion percentage (66.7) 27th

Final Considerations:

  • 6 NFC teams have three wins, 4 in the AFC.
  • Each of the three Commanders wins are against team that still only has one win (Bengals, Giants, Cardinals).
  • The Week 5 opponent (Browns) is another one-win team.