Tag: Brandon Coleman

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Eagles dominated every facet of the game and won the turnover battle while dominating the Commanders to advance to Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia rushed for seven touchdowns, including three scores each for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, blowing out their NFC East rival 55-23 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

As preparations begin for the trip to New Orleans, we’re reviewing the top photos from the historic victory.

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Highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Washington Commanders have a young, ascending roster, and that youth showed in the first half. Costly penalties and crucial turnovers spurred the Eagles early on, giving them a 27-15 lead in the NFC Championship game.

Saquon Barkley’s two first-half touchdowns energized the Birds, and Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown on a four-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in the first half. We’re looking at the first-half highlights with the second half set to begin.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

A solid backup quarterback is the most important thing to an NFL team, and Kenny Pickett finally had his moment after Jalen Hurts was forced to exit with a concussion. The former Steelers first-round pick had one ugly interception but made some big throws as Philadelphia went into the half with a 2-14 lead.

An Eagles win would give Nick Sirianni, the head coach, his second NFC East title in four years.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Commanders’ Cornelius Lucas putting in the extra work

In his fifth season with the Commanders, Cornelius Lucas still getting the job done.

Dan Quinn was pleased with the play of his offensive line on Sunday.

That is no surprise, considering the Commanders’ line pounded the Titans all day, accumulating 267 rushing yards on 45 running carries.

Sunday, the Commanders were without starting right tackle Andrew Wylie, who suffered a concussion in last week’s home loss to the Cowboys. Trent Scott had played in substitution for Wylie against the Cowboys.

However, in this game against the Titans, the Commanders chose Lucas to start at right tackle. He not only started but also played on every offensive snap, all 83 of them.

“Yeah, and before you mentioned him, he was one of the first [people] I was going to bring up was Lucas,” said Quinn. So, for a good bit of the season, he’s been playing mostly at left tackle. So, this week in practice for him to after practice, before practice, getting in extra work with [T/G] Sam Cosmi. You could see this was a player that was really putting in the details to get it right.”

Lucas, thus far, had been playing over at left tackle this season. He started early and has swapped time with rookie Brandon Coleman. But during the week, he was putting in the extra work to prepare himself for playing the right tackle spot.

“Now changing to another side to go, that part was going to be a big deal, because he himself did the extra with Sam. ‘I want more combinations, I want more stuff to go.’ So, they really did a nice job of staying on blocks, getting to the next level and the tight ends were a big part of this as well.

Perhaps with the bye week now finally here, the Commanders can get Wylie back and healthy. In addition, they now know their swing tackle, Lucas, is fit and ready to take on either tackle position.

Why Commanders offense is struggling the last two games

Why has Washington’s offense struggled the last two weeks? There are multiple reasons.

The Washington Commanders offense is looking to rebound from two subpar performances.

The Commanders, in the last three games, have been outscored 39-11 in the fourth quarter.

In their last game, a 26-18 loss to the Eagles (8-2), the Commanders generated only 264 offensive yards, averaging 4.2 yards a play.

One of the early season successes for OC Kliff Kingsbury’s offense was the largely effective conversions on third and fourth downs. However, against the Eagles, the Commanders were only 3-12 on third down.

In particular, Jayden Daniels was not getting the ball down the field, as Terry McLaurin never even had a reception until 10:27 in the final quarter. Daniels was visibly inaccurate more often than usual.

In addition, Daniels only passed for 191 yards, though he attempted 32 passes. This resulted in Daniels averaging 5.9 yards per attempt, much lower than he was accomplishing earlier in the season.

The offensive line is beat up, though able to continue to play. Rookie Brandon Coleman had his worst pass-blocking performance in the last two weeks, but then again, he is playing with a shoulder that is not 100 percent. Guard Nick Allegretti and center Tyler Biadasz are playing injured.

Local DMV sports media might consider thinking a bit more before lashing out at Kingsbury, as some have. They suggest the Commanders’ offense is falling off because Kingsbury’s offenses always do later in the season.

That may or may not be true this season with Washington. What is undeniably true is that the Commanders’ offense is wounded right now, and the bye week can’t come soon enough for Washington.

The offensive personnel has many members playing injured. Consequently, their performance is bound to decrease. Kingsbury has not been the one bouncing passes, dropping passes, and being unable to pass in the last two weeks.

Understand the Steelers and Eagles are both division leaders through Week 11. They are simply better teams than the Commanders right now.

Yes, the offense has been struggling lately, but injuries to an offensive personnel already not one of the elites in the league while playing against two quality opponents only stand to reason there were going to be more struggles.

Commanders guard had to pop teammate’s finger back in place during game

Nick Allegretti had to play doctor in Sunday’s win.

Who says NFL players aren’t tough? And it’s rare to find a tougher group than the offensive line. The offensive linemen are going full force on every play — run or pass — and can often have defenders or teammates going down and rolling up behind them.

It’s rare to find an offensive lineman that’s not playing hurt, especially once you’ve reached the midway point of an NFL season.

During Sunday’s 27-22 win over the New York Giants, Washington Commanders left guard Nick Allegretti faced one of these situations. Only, it wasn’t him. At some point during Sunday’s game, rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman asked Allegretti to pop his finger back in place. It wasn’t a job Allegretti wanted, but he obliged.

“I had to pop the finger back in,’ Allegretti said of Coleman. “Not a….I almost went down, I am queasy. I did not enjoy that. He’s like, ‘just pull it,” so I looked away, and we got her back in.”

Speaking of toughness, Coleman missed last week’s game due to a concussion and played the entire game on Sunday, lining up against one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, Brian Burns, and winning that matchup.

The Giants entered Sunday’s game with 35 sacks, which was the most in the NFL. Washington’s offensive line held New York to zero sacks on Sunday.

Commanders announce roster moves with injuries at offensive tackle

The Commanders add veteran OT depth.

The Washington Commanders were busy making moves on their day. With injuries to their top two left tackles, Brandon Coleman (concussion) and Cornelius Lucas (ankle), the Commanders have only two healthy tackles on the roster: Right tackle Andrew Wylie and backup Trent Scott.

The Commanders first worked out former Patriots tackle Yodny Cajuste. Washington didn’t initially sign Cajuste but did sign veteran Bobby Hart to the practice squad. Hart, 30, was a seventh-round pick by the New York Giants in 2015 and has spent time with six different NFL teams, including three stints in Buffalo.

Hart has plenty of experience, having played in 98 career games with 67 starts. He was Cincinnati’s right tackle for three seasons from 2018-20, starting every game but three.

Washington released OT Anim Dankwah from the practice squad in a corresponding move. The 6-foot-8, 353-pound Dankwah signed with the practice squad last month. He’s an undrafted rookie from nearby Howard University.

Coleman missed last week’s game, while Lucas left in the second half with an ankle injury. The Commanders have offered no further updates, but practice is set to return on Wednesday; we should know more then.

Watch: NFL analyst with high praise for Commanders’ rookies not named Jayden Daniels

The Commanders’ rookie class continues to stand out.

In his latest edition of “Baldy’s Breakdowns,” NFL analyst and former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger had some high praise for multiple members of the Washington Commanders’ 2024 draft class.

While Baldinger is a huge fan of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, he highlighted the performance of both of Washington’s third-round picks in last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns.

Left tackle Brandon Coleman made his first NFL start, splitting half the snaps with veteran Cornelius Lucas. Both played well. But most impressive is that Coleman’s assignment was defensive end Myles Garrett, arguably the NFL’s top defensive player.

Baldinger came away impressed with the rookie tackle.

On one play, Baldinger highlights how the Commanders’ other third-round pick, wide receiver Luke McCaffrey chipped Garrett, allowing Daniels to hit Dyami Brown for a 41-yard touchdown. It was a beautiful play from start to finish.

Baldinger also highlighted McCaffrey’s receiving and blocking, but most importantly, his willingness to do whatever it takes. Baldinger praised McCaffrey’s route-running.

McCaffrey helped spring running back Jeremy McNichols on his touchdown run last week.

It’s early, but it looks like first-year general manager Adam Peters hit a home run with the 2024 draft class. Daniels, McCaffrey, Coleman, Mike Sainristil, Ben Sinnott and Johnny Newton all showed flashes in five games.

As Baldinger said, there is “lots to be excited about in the capital city.”

Dan Quinn praises two rookies not named Jayden Daniels

Quinn explains what stands out about two members of Commanders’ rookie class.

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn was asked Wednesday about two of his rookies, in particular.

Those two rookies were wide receiver Luke McCaffrey and cornerback Mike Sainristil.

Quinn had already spoken very positively about Jayden Daniels and Brandon Coleman the previous day with the press.

“What I’ve seen early, I’ve also seen lately,” replied Quinn. By that I mean, these guys are like a rare level of competitor. They just don’t back down.”

Jayden Daniels might consider getting the ball to McCaffrey more often each game. You see, he has only been targeted six times, but he does have six catches, averaging 10.3 a reception.

“I knew Mike also had leadership skills early on, where guys would look to him, not just the other rookies in the class. But some of the defensive backs as well. So, that is what I saw. As they are growing into their season, they are just three games in, each of these opportunities are so important.”

Sainristil has been in on 16 tackles in three games (12 solo and four assists). He has also has a pass breakup.

“I think when we look back a few months from now, some of the mistakes that guys make early, they don’t make late. But you do have to fight through some of those with the guys. I have unbelievable belief in them about what they are capable of becoming, and that sometimes happens with the youngest players.”

Indeed, McCaffrey made two very nice plays earlier, picking up first downs, but in the final quarter, he once drove to the stick on third down and then cut off his route just short. So when Daniels passed to him, and McCaffrey was instantly tackled, it was 4th & 1, not 1st & 10.

“You make sure they get the experience, so by the time December and January football comes, they have lived through some of those (experiences). They have some scares to look back on, and they’re really better for that.”

Commanders’ offensive line better than expected in Week 1

How did the Commanders fare in pass protection in Week 1?

Heading into the 2024 NFL season, there were concerns that Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters didn’t do enough on the offensive line to protect rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Washington signed center Tyler Biadasz and left guard Nick Allegretti, who started in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Biadasz represented a significant upgrade for Washington at center, while Allegretti would become a full-time starter for the first time in his career in 2024.

In the 2024 NFL draft, the Commanders selected offensive tackle Brandon Coleman in the third round. Coleman impressed over the summer and looked poised to be the Week 1 left tackle until a pec injury forced him to miss the entire preseason.

So, against the Buccaneers last week, veteran Cornelius Lucas started at left tackle, with Andrew Wylie returning at right tackle, joining Washington’s best offensive lineman, right guard Sam Cosmi.

In the opener, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was only sacked twice. Considering the Commanders’ issues protecting Sam Howell last week, that’s an encouraging number.

Pro Football Focus ranks every NFL offensive line weekly, with the Commanders at No. 28 heading into Week 2.

While rookie Brandon Coleman played 14 snaps at left tackle, starter Cornelius Lucas won’t give up the position easily, as he played an excellent game against the Buccaneers, especially in pass protection. His 85.8 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked sixth among offensive tackles in Week 1.

Washington’s unit looked promising, especially compared to expectations, as it gave up just eight total pressures — and no sacks or quarterback hits — on 34 dropbacks. The Commanders’ PFF pass-blocking efficiency score was tied for the 14th highest in Week 1.

The 33rd Team also ranked the offensive lines after Week 1 and had the Commanders at 19th.

It’s not great, but it’s much better than some initially believed. It will be interesting to follow what happens at offensive tackle. If Wylie continues to struggle, Washington could move Lucas to right tackle and start the rookie Coleman at left tackle.