Tag: Commanders 3rd down defense

Commanders bright spots vs. Cowboys

It was an ugly loss, but there were multiple bright spots for the Commanders from Week 4.

Despite a third consecutive loss for the Washington Commanders, there were some bright spots that should be recognized.

Jonathan Allen

Allen came to play on the Cowboys’ side of the line of scrimmage, registering 4 tackles for a loss, most for both teams. The Commanders totaled 7 tackles for a loss, thus, Allen had more than half himself. His sack in the first quarter on a 3rd and 3 set the tone early, and he was a force all day. He also knocked down a Cooper Rush pass in the end zone that could have been an easy touchdown.

Jonathan Williams

The rarely used running back in only five carries accumulated 48 yards (9.6 YPR). Williams enjoyed an 18-yard run to the left behind Logan Thomas and John Bates. In the 3rd quarter, Williams ran for 23 yards to the right getting a huge push downfield from Saahdiq Charles and good blocks from Thomas and Bates again both lined up together on a side.

Wentz to Dotson

Wentz struggled throughout, appeared rattled, unable to settle down and step into passes. However, trailing 6-0 in the second quarter, Carson lofted a beautifully well-timed pass to Jahan Dotson at the back right pylon for a touchdown on a 3rd & 2 from the 10-yard line.

Later in the 3rd quarter with the Commanders trailing 15-7, the two again connected, this time on a 3rd & 9 completion of 31 yards. Wentz had to step up, and extend the play, and Dotson had to make a shoestring catch.

Daron Payne

Often Payne was matched up against All-Pro Zack Martin, the older brother of the Commanders new center, Nick Martin. Payne had 2 solo tackles, 5 total tackles, 1 TFL and 1 pass defended.

Joey Slye and Tress Way

Slye was successful on his lone field goal attempt, a 45-yarder in the 3rd quarter. Way punting six times managed to place five punts inside the 20.

Commanders Run Offense and Run Defense

The Commanders gained a very adequate 142 yards in 27 rushing attempts (5.3 YPC). This effort permitted the offense more opportunities as well as provided the defense some needed rest on the bench. The defense responded physically, limiting Dallas to a mere 62 yards in their 29 rushing attempts (2.1 YPC). The defense shut down Tony Pollard entirely, as his 8 carries gained only 6 yards.

Consequently, the Commanders ran 71 offensive plays to only 57 for Dallas, winning the time of possession battle 33:06 to 26:54.

Commanders 3rd Down Defense

Washington’s 3rd down defense in 2021 was at times nothing short of abysmal. They finished the season ranked 31st in the NFL. Sunday they held Dallas to converting only 5 of 15 third downs.

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Commanders coach Ron Rivera optimistic and realistic

Ron Rivera is optimistic about the 2022 NFL season.

Coach Ron Rivera sat down with Julie Donaldson Friday expressing he is both optimistic but also realistic about his 2022 Washington Commanders team.

This is Rivera’s third season leading Washington, and though there are setbacks (injuries), he is pleased thus far preparing for Jacksonville. “I think that things have gone well. There’s been a lot of pluses that we are building on and getting better.”

Rivera spoke of the youth of this team, the energy and enthusiasm. “We have a guy who we think can be our quarterback for a while. When you look at the skill positions, that is where you truly do see the youth. At running back the veteran guy is J.D. (McKissic). At tight end, the veteran guy is Logan (Thomas). Wide receiver the veteran guy is Terry (McLaurin). Terry is only going into his fourth season.”

The former Panthers head coach (2011-19) is optimistic about some of his older veterans as well. “Where you really see the anchor though is our front. Our front five is a group of guys we feel very comfortable about and really think these guys can help protect Carson to give him time to get the ball to those talented young players.”

Rivera is realistic. He knows the line is beat up right now as well as the tight ends. The only one that has been healthy is Armani (Rogers). He is the only one able to be out there. The best part of him, he is such an athletic football player, that he makes plays.”

“We won’t have everybody out on the field Saturday. But once we get back together the following week, we will start to get all our guys out there and start prepping as we get ready for the opener (Sept.11).”

He has not been able to see a healthy unit thus far, “What you really want to be able to do is once we know (who is healthy) that group has to work together over and over in preparation for Jacksonville.”

A former linebacker, linebacker’s coach and defensive coordinator, Rivera was open about his disappointment in the third-down defense against Kansas City. “Those are things we can do better. First and foremost we coaches got to make sure that these guys understand what the important significance of third down is. And the significance of who that quarterback is. When Patrick Mahomes is out on the field, there is a certain discipline you have to rush with.”

We dialed up a couple of pressures, and we didn’t run them the way we needed to. Because of that, the pressure got there a step too late. So you look at those things, and you say, ‘That’s disappointing first and foremost, but that is correctable.”

There was much more, so see the link above for the full interview.