Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury might change the offense for Sunday’s playoff game against the Bucs.
Running back Austin Ekeler was thought to be simply getting his feet wet again by playing in the finale at Dallas. Returning from the injured reserve list, the consensus was that the Dallas game was preparation to get him ready for a playoff game.
However, did you notice that in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys in Dallas, Ekeler actually was on the field more than Brian Robinson Jr? That’s right, the official snap counts corroborate this observation, with Robinson being called upon on 23 Commanders’ offensive plays, while Ekeler surprisingly was on the field for 35 Commanders’ offensive plays.
The Commanders’ inside running game has really struggled lately. How much are the linemen worn down, perhaps playing with minor injuries? How much is center Tyler Biadasz’s missed action against the Falcons and the entirety of the Cowboys game? But what also must be asked is, “How much of this is Brian Robinson?”
In his last four games, Robinson has averaged per carry 3.1, 2.4, 4.6, and 2.0 yards a carry in gaining 65, 24, 60, and 10 yards.
In fairness to Robinson, he ran harder and had more success earlier in the season, accomplishing 100+ yards against the Giants, Cardinals, and Titans. So, is Robinson banged up and playing with some bumps and bruises that are slowing him, limiting him?
Kingsbury knows he needs a healthy Ekeler next week if he is going to get any big plays from running backs. Ekeler making some big gains on screen passes or passes out of the backfield could be the way to go against the Bucs on Sunday, who are big and physical inside on defense.
But isn’t it worth noticing that Quinn and Kingsbury did not keep Ekeler inactive until the playoffs? They wanted to test him, having him out there, and in fact, he was out there more than Robinson.
Might Ekeler be the offensive spark the Commanders need right now?
Four takeaways from the first half between the Commanders and Eagles.
The Philadelphia Eagles lead the Washington Commanders 21-14 at halftime of their Week 16 rematch from Northwest Stadium.
Here are four quick takeaways from the first 30 minutes of action:
Turnovers the difference
The Commanders have taken care of the football all season, only turning it over nine times through the first 14 games. In the first half, Washington turned the ball over three times, including two fumbles by running back Brian Robinson Jr., one of which ended a promising drive at the Philadelphia 10-yard line.
And just before halftime, quarterback Jayden Daniels missed a wide-open Luke McCaffrey across the middle, resulting in an interception and slowing Washington’s momentum. Those turnovers have proven to be the difference.
Commanders knocked out Jalen Hurts
Washington knocked Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts out in the first quarter with a concussion, and he will not return. Kenny Pickett replaced Hurts and threw a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown shortly thereafter.
No running game
We mentioned Robinson’s fumbles, but he has eight carries for 14 yards with the two fumbles. Daniels leads the Commanders with 32 yards and five attempts. Chris Rodriguez carried the ball three times for five yards. Washington is struggling to handle Philadelphia’s defensive front. The Commanders must be able to keep the Eagles honest in the second half, even if it means using Daniels more in the running game.
No stopping Saquon
Saquon Barkley has 13 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard scoring run. The Commanders did a better job later in the second quarter of limiting Barkley, but his presence and Washington’s fumbles are why Washington trails. With Hurts out, the Eagles will continue to lean on Barkley in the second half, so the Commanders will be tested. Washington’s corners must win individual matchups to afford to dedicate more resources to stopping Barkley.
Here are four keys to a Commanders’ win on Sunday vs. Saints.
The Washington Commanders are right in the middle of a playoff race, which was impossible to imagine one year ago at this time. The Commanders were on their way to eight consecutive losses to end a 4-13 season.
Times have changed.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leads a record-setting offense, while the Washington defense is improving each week. On Sunday, the Commanders will add a critical component to their defense when Marshon Lattimore makes his debut. Washington traded for Lattimore at the NFL trade deadline last month, and he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Commanders enter Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC’s No. 7 playoff seed. The Rams are red-hot, and Washington can’t afford to slip up against an injury-ravaged Saints squad.
What must the Commanders do to beat New Orleans? Here are four keys to victory.
Make Jake Haener’s life miserable
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3). Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Jake Haener has appeared in several games for the Saints, but he will make his first NFL start on Sunday against the Commanders. The second-year quarterback leads an injury-depleted offense that has lost the likes of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Taysom Hill.
Washington’s defensive strategy is simple: Get after Haener early and often. New Orleans’ top receiver is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who it added in October. MVS is averaging 24 yards per reception and has four touchdowns since coming to the Saints, so expect him to see plenty of Lattimore. Ultimately, the goal is to keep the pressure on the Saints’ young quarterback.
Shut down Alvin Kamara
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41). Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Kamara missed practice twice this week due to illness. He was on the field Friday and is good to go for Sunday. Kamara remains one of the NFL’s best running backs. He’s a true do-it-all back, as he can gash you in the run game or make big plays in the passing game. Expect Commanders’ defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to load the box to slow Kamara while applying more pressure on Haener to make plays.
Run the ball
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders hands the ball off to Brian Robinson Jr.. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Two weeks ago, Washington focused on its running game with Daniels, Brian Robinson Jr., and Chris Rodriguez Jr. The result was 267 rushing yards and 42 points. While the opponent was Tennessee, it’s easy to forget the Titans had the NFL’s No. 2 defense entering that game.
The Commanders should be able to run the ball against New Orleans. That’s not to say offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury shouldn’t pass the ball, but the goal coming into the game is to demoralize the New Orleans defense. You can do that by running the ball.
Spread the ball around
Dyami Brown #2 of the Washington Commanders is pursued after his reception by Jaylon Johnson #1. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Before Noah Brown’s injury, Dyami Brown had become more involved in the offense in recent weeks. That’s a good sign, as Noah Brown was second among Washington wide receivers in receptions, yards, and targets before being sidelined for likely the remainder of the season. The object of the game is to win, of course, so you must do everything possible to achieve that win. But along the way, Kingsbury and Daniels should work to find out which receiver will step up opposite Terry McLaurin.
Brown has thrived with the ball in his hands this season. He’s also an excellent deep ball receiver. The Commanders should focus on getting him, Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Ben Sinnott the ball against New Orleans. Washington has Philadelphia in Week 16. When the Eagles played the Commanders last month, no receiver outside McLaurin stepped up. To overcome Philly next week, Washington must find him some help. This week is a perfect time to start.
Could the Washington Commanders land a Heisman Trophy winner in the NFL draft for the second consecutive year?
In the 2024 NFL draft, Washington held the No. 2 overall pick and selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels won the Heisman Trophy after a record-breaking final season for the Tigers. Daniels’ arrival has completely transformed the Commanders from a four-win team to a playoff contender.
Currently 8-5, Washington looks likely to make the NFC playoff field, barring an unforeseen collapse.
While the Commanders finally have something to play for in December, it’s never too early to begin looking ahead to next season. That means it’s mock draft time. While Washington is in a much different position than one year ago, the Commanders have several needs.
In a new mock draft for The Athletic, Dane Brugler has the Commanders adding some help for Daniels and the offense. Brugler has Washington selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 21 overall pick.
Jeanty is one of the best players in this draft class, full stop. But there aren’t many obvious landing spots for a running back in the top 20, especially if Dallas passes (and I’m not projecting any trades in a mock draft this early in the process).
Washington wouldn’t be upset to see the Boise State standout fall this far. I’ll double check the NFL rule book, but a Jayden Daniels/Jeanty backfield hardly seems fair.
We agree with Brugler. Could you imagine a backfield of Daniels and Jeanty, with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler also around? Providing Washington adds a receiver in free agency, adding Jeanty would give the Commanders one of the upcoming draft’s top 10 players. The only reason Jeanty doesn’t go in the top 10 is because of his position.
Jeanty rushed for 2,288 yards, averaged 7.3 yards per carry and scored 28 touchdowns this season and has the Broncos in the College Football Playoff. Jeanty and Colorado star Travis Hunter are clear favorites to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
GM Adam Peters is about drafting the best player available. If Jeanty is there at No. 21, there’s no doubt he’d be the best player remaining on the board.
What are the odds the Commanders land back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners?
Here are all of the best images from Sunday’s game between the Commanders and Titans.
The Washington Commanders improved to 8-5 with Sunday’s 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans. The win snapped a three-game losing streak. Quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 25 of 30 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns in the win and rushed for a touchdown.
Daniels led a ground attack that ran for a season-high 267 yards, paced by Brian Robinson’s 103 yards. Chris Rodriguez came off the bench to deliver a career-high 94 yards. Both Robinson and Rodriguez also scored touchdowns.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin also established a new career-high with nine touchdowns after catching two on Sunday.
Here are all of the best images from Sunday’s Week 13 win over the Titans.
How did everyone react to the Commanders snapping their three-game losing streak?
On Sunday, the Washington Commanders ended their three-game losing streak by defeating the Tennessee Titans 42-19 at Northwest Stadium.
It was a dominant performance from start to finish, as Washington’s defense immediately shut down the Titans, setting the tone of quarterback Jayden Daniels and the offense.
On the Commanders’ first possession, running back Brian Robinson Jr. ran for a 40-yard touchdown, giving them an early 7-0 lead. After another stop, Daniels called his own number for a touchdown run. Then, Washington forced back-to-back turnovers, converting both into Terry McLaurin touchdowns, and it was suddenly 28-0.
While Tennessee had some moderate success moving the ball, the Commanders dominated, scoring over 40 points for the third time this season.
It’s been a rough few weeks for Washington fans, who feared a similar meltdown to the 1996 and 2008 seasons. While there are still four games to be played, the Commanders have something those previous teams didn’t: Jayden Daniels.
Let’s see how X — formerly Twitter — reacted to Washington’s Week 13 performance.
The #Commanders just put up 463 yards on a defense that averages giving up 276
I hate it when people don’t say what they mean in a tweet but then later say oh, that’s not what I meant, I meant this. If that’s what you wanted to say then say it. The Titans D is pretty good so I’m excited they played well in the 1st half.
First-half highlights for the Commanders from their first half against the Titans.
The Washington Commanders (7-5) lead the Tennessee Titans (3-8) 28-7 at halftime of their Week 13 matchup from Northwest Stadium.
Running back, Brian Robinson Jr. is back for the Commanders and looks completely healthy. On Washington’s third play from scrimmage, Robinson burst through the Titans’ defense for a 40-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.
The Commanders had excellent field position after cornerback Mike Sainristil strips and recovered a fumble. Daniels made the Titans pay, finding wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a 16-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead. It was McLaurin’s eighth touchdown of the season — a new career-high.
Unbelievably, Washington immediately forced another turnover, this time on the kickoff return, again getting excellent field position.
Washington did the right thing, sidelining Ekeler for at least the next five weeks. Remember, the Commanders have a Week 14 bye.
Since Ekeler entered the NFL back in 2017, he has suffered four documented concussions. That doesn’t take into account any concussions he may have had before his NFL career. No concussion is more severe than another. Each time you suffer a concussion, it’s a head injury and should be treated with extreme caution.
So, while the Commanders are in a playoff race and Ekeler is one of their best players, they do right by the player, something that wasn’t always the case before new owner Josh Harris, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn arrived.
Depending on how Ekeler recovers, he may or may not play again this season.
In the meantime, Washington will try to get it done on offense with running backs Brian Robinson Jr., Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez. Quarterback Jayden Daniels will also be involved in Washington’s running game.
There are usually very few updates on players in the NFL’s concussion protocol, meaning it could be a while before there is a definitive update on Ekeler.
Robinson twisted his ankle under the weight of a Dallas player. It didn’t look good, but somehow, Robinson quickly returned. However, after a few more carries, he exited again, this time for good.
Robinson was fortunate the injury isn’t more severe, but it did have him limited in practice last week. Fortunately, though, Robinson was removed from the injury report after participating fully in Friday’s practice.
While Robinson will play, how much can Washington count on him? Jeremy McNichols has been excellent in relief this season. Chris Rogriguez Jr. is also back after being released and re-signed. Rodriguez was critical in the Commanders’ Week 9 win over the Giants.
Tennessee has one of the NFL’s best defenses. Running against the Titans will be difficult. Obviously, a healthy Robinson gives Washington the best chance.
Who is in for the Commanders on Sunday? Who is out? The final injury report for Week 13.
When the Washington Commanders face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, one of their top running backs will be in action. Washington released its final injury report on Friday, and Brian Robinson Jr. will play.
Unfortunately, Austin Ekeler, who suffered a concussion late in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, is out. That’s not surprising. It is Ekeler’s second concussion of the season, and he remains in concussion protocol. Also, right tackle Andrew Wyler will miss Sunday’s game. Like Ekeler, he is also in the NFL’s concussion protocol program.
Wylie was limited in practice this week, so there was some hope he could play. Trent Scott will likely start in his place.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was listed as doubtful for Sunday. Lattimore made his practice debut on Wednesday but was limited all three days. Head coach Dan Quinn discussed Lattimore’s progress on Friday.
“We’re pumped that he’s certainly closer, but we’re going to huddle up today and end of tomorrow to see where exactly we stand,” Quinn said. “We got a pretty strong process to go through and the player is a part of that too. So, we’re going to make all decisions, protect the team first, but man, is it good to have him back out there and get going.”
It still appears unlikely that Lattimore plays, but it certainly appears he’s headed toward making his Washington debut in Week 15 after Washington’s bye against his old team, the Saints, in New Orleans.
Here is Tennessee’s final injury report for Week 13.
Out: OT Leroy Watson IV (back), CB Chidobe Awuzie (groin)
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