Tag: Allen and Payne Combo

Commanders earning the respect of ESPN panel

Ryan Clark even praised the atmosphere at FedEx Field for the win over the Falcons.

ESPN couldn’t help but plan a segment on the Commanders, after all, they have won six of their last seven games.

Not sure how they compute such, but ESPN Analytics figures the Commanders have a 63% chance of making the playoffs.

Here are several excerpts from the segment.

“The Commanders have pressured opposing quarterbacks 33 percent of their drop backs this season, fifth in the NFL.” Marcus Spears

“Last year we sat at this table and I told you how selfish this defensive line was. It is so clear to me now that these guys are playing together and staying on the same page. They understand their rush lanes, having communication with each other.” Marcus Spears

“Jon Allen is a top five defensive tackle in this league. His impact on games kinda goes unnoticed because of the success of the team but I will take him along with any other (DT in the NFL).” Marcus Spears

“I think they are a problem for offenses because both of those interior guys (Allen and Daron Payne) are playing well.” Dan Orlovsky

“The greatest thing about this defense is they can play the run with seven. They are physical enough.” Marcus Spears

“Now that Brian Robinson has emerged, he has added a different level of physicality to the run game. It has changed the entire energy of the team. This team now has an identity. They are going to play tough, physical football on both sides of the line of scrimmage.” Ryan Clark

“They got a quarterback… sign me up any day to play against in the secondary. But when you look at him on this team, he gives them energy. I was in the stadium this week… the energy was like college. It is almost a collegiate feel. I think it is because of the quarterback and the identity they have as a team.” Ryan Clark

“Brian Robinson has changed the brand of their offense. It’s a physical brand. BYOB–Be your own blocker. And that is what Brian Robinson has brought.” Dan Orlovsky

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Commanders enjoy a stress-free win over Houston

The second half may have been dull, but wasn’t it nice to be stress-free for once?

For the first time this season, a Washington Commanders victory was sort of boring in the last few minutes, and that is a good thing.

The Commanders took care of business in the first half to such a degree they easily defeated the Texans 23-10, raising their record to 6-5, and winning a fifth of their last six games.

Antonio Gibson led the way in Houston, accumulating 72 rushing yards in 18 attempts and 31 receiving yards in his three receptions. Gibson rotating with Brian Robinson Jr. continued to prove to be effective. Robinson produced 57 rushing yards in his 15 carries.

It was encouraging to see tight end Logan Thomas for the first time this season lead the team in receptions, with his season-high of 5 receptions for 65 yards. Terry McLaurin was not far behind with another steady performance of 4 receptions for 55 yards.

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke at times was sloppy, missed open receivers and finished completing only 15 of his 27 attempts (55 percent) with a 77.9 passer rating. Yet, Heinicke managed to average 7.1 yards per attempt in his 191 passing yards, did not take a sack, and did not throw an interception.

Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat both produced two quarterback sacks and Daron Payne added a fifth. Allen led the team with 3 tackles for a loss; Sweat had 2 as did Casey Toohill as well.

Kendall Fuller and Darrick Forrest both intercepted Davis Mills, including Fuller returning his interception 37 yards for a first-quarter touchdown.

All in all, wasn’t it great to watch a Washington football victory and not be stressed the entire second half?

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