Tag: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

Daron Payne designated ‘out’ for Commanders in NFC championship game

Tough news for the Commanders ahead of the NFC championship game.

The Commanders got some bad news Saturday.

The Commanders downgraded defensive tackle Daron Payne to “out” for Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Eagles in Philadelphias.

It’s been a rough two weeks for Payne. The former first-round draft pick from Alabama in 2018 injured a finger against the Bucs in the Wild Card round but toughed it out, had it re-taped, and played against the Lions last week.

However, Payne also aggravated a knee. With both injuries, the Commanders’ brass has determined it better they not put Payne out there trying to stop the daunting Eagles running game, including Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.

No doubt Payne wanted to be out there, as he has played through numerous injuries over the years, making himself available week after week.

What does this mean for the Commanders’ run defense against the Eagles? They have elevated DT Carl Davis and tackles rookie Jer’Zhan (Johnny) Newton (Illinois), veteran Sheldon Day, and Jonathan Allen will get more reps.

Big picture-wise, it means Washington lost their best interior offensive lineman, right guard Sam Cosmi, for the remainder of this season and their most reliable/healthy defensive player for years in Payne.

 

Commanders DC Joe Whitt has a message for the Eagles and Jalen Hurts

Commanders’ DC has a message for Jalen Hurts and Eagles.

Joe Whitt knows Jalen Hurts must be stopped.

The Commanders’ defensive coordinator met with the media Thursday and was very direct regarding Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and his game plan for using Hurts.

Hurts is perhaps the strongest quarterback in the NFL. He is another running back out there when he determines to run.

Whitt candidly offered Thursday, “Well, we’ve had a number of these guys (running quarterbacks) that we’ve had to prepare for. And so, the one thing is, if he’s going to run the ball and if the coordinator makes a decision for him to run the ball, we’re going to treat him like a running back, and we’re going to hit him that way. So, that’s their decision. If they want to get him hit the way that he gets hit, if they don’t, they’ll keep him in the pocket. But that’s what we’re going to do.”

In the teams’ second meeting this season, Hurts ran hard in the first quarter, was hit hard, concussed, and did not return. The Commanders faced Kenny Pickett the rest of the day rather than Hurts.

Yes, it is a message from Whitt. It is a message that Hurts can’t think he can run down the field and not expect to get hit like a running back would.

It may also remind officials that Hurts should not be guaranteed extra protection once he leaves the pocket.

However, the Eagles and NFL officials will interpret Whitt’s message, his defense must get after Hurts and contain Hurts in the pocket, or it will be a long day for the Commanders’ defense.

Which quarterbacks did the Commanders defeat in 2024?

A look at the quarterbacks the Commanders defeated in 2024.

The Team 980 morning host Kevin Sheehan Tuesday morning asked his listeners which quarterbacks the Commanders had beaten this season.

Yes, the Commanders won 12 games this season, and that is wonderful. But let’s also go through the list as Sheehan did, and you might be a bit surprised to be reminded. I don’t recall the order in which Sheehan unveiled the list, but here is the list:

  • First, the Commanders’ five losses this season came against Baker Mayfield (Bucs), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Russell Wilson (Steelers), Jalen Hurts (Eagles) and Cooper Rush (Cowboys).
  • Four of those five teams to whom the Commanders lost are in the playoffs, which begins this weekend: Bucs, Ravens, Steelers, and Eagles.
  • The Commanders won NFC East games against Daniel Jones (Giants twice), Kenny Pickett (Eagles), and Trey Lance (Cowboys). The Giants finished 3-14, The Eagles’ Jalen Hurts was concussed in the first quarter, and Lance is the Cowboys’ third-string quarterback.
  • Other NFC games the Commanders won: Cardinals (Kyler Murray), Panthers (Andy Dalton), Bears (Caleb Williams), Saints (Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler), Falcons (Michael Penix). Dalton was later benched, Williams and the Bears lost ten straight during the season, Haener and Rattler were the Saints No. 2 and No. 3 quarterbacks behind Derek Carr, and Penix was playing his second NFL game.
  • In the AFC games, the Commanders won: the Bengals (Joe Burrow), Browns (Deshaun Watson), and Titans (Will Levis). Burrow is an All-Pro, Watson’s career has spiraled downward the last two seasons, and Levis, in his two NFL seasons, is 5-16 as a starter, including 2-10 this season.

Conclusion:

This should remind readers of the 2020 season, when Washington mainly defeated lower-tier quarterbacks on their way to a 7-9 season. However, the significant difference is this year’s Commanders had several games where their offense was explosive. Thus, the Commanders won 12 games. Washington’s offense can compete in the 2024 playoffs. The issue will be how well the defense plays against a quality quarterback(s).

Quick facts from Commanders’ Week 16 win over Eagles

Some quick facts and numbers from the Commanders’ win over the Eagles.

The Commanders twice trailed by 14 points and overcame five turnovers to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33 at Northwest Stadium in Landover.

Here are some of the quick facts from the Commanders 10th win of the 2024 season:

  • The Commanders’ win over the Eagles broke the Eagles’ 10-game winning streak.
  • The Commanders pulled off a rarity on Sunday: They lost the turnover battle 5-1 and still won the game.
  • The Commanders trailed 33-28 with 1:58 remaining when the Eagles lined up to kickoff to Washington. The Commanders then drove 57 yards in 9 plays, earning the victory.
  • Third downs were crucial in this game. The Eagles converted only three of 16, while the Commanders converted seven of 13.
  • Washington entered the game 0-4 against teams with a winning record. Thus, this is their first 2024 win against a winning team.
  • The Commanders surrendered 211 Eagles rushing yards, including 5.4 yards per rushing attempt. Saquon Barkley rushed for 150 yards on 29 carries.
  • Jalen Hurts ran for 41 yards on his first three rushing attempts, but on his third carry, he was injured and did not return.
  • Jayden Daniels completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards, five touchdown passes and two interceptions. Daniels was also Washington’s leading rusher, running for 81 yards on nine rushes.
  • Olamide Zaccheaus did not have a touchdown in the first 14 games. He had two touchdown receptions Sunday, finishing with five receptions for 70 yards.
  • Receiver Jamison Crowder only had two receptions on Sunday. However, both were for Commanders’ touchdowns.
  • With the Commanders’ win today, the Cowboys and 49ers were both eliminated from the playoffs.
  • When Sonny Jurgensen was traded from Philadelphia to Washington, he threw five touchdowns against the Eagles in his first season in Washington (1964). Not until today did another Washington quarterback pass for five touchdowns against the Eagles.
  • Jayden Daniels is the first Washington rookie quarterback to pass for five touchdowns in a game and the sixth NFL rookie quarterback to accomplish the feat (according to Washington PR).
  • Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton produced three tackles for a loss, and Frankie Luvu had two as well.
  • The Commanders were outplayed so badly by the Eagles in the first quarter that the Eagles generated 183 total yards of offense while Washington only produced 35.
  • The 21 points the Commanders surrendered in the first quarter was the most they had given up this season.
  • Frankie Luvu’s first-quarter interception was his first as a Commander.
  • With his five receptions for 60 yards today, Terry McLaurin goes over 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth consecutive year. He has done it five times in his six NFL seasons.
  • McClaurin’s touchdown reception was his 12th this season. He now has 37 touchdown receptions for Washington, which passed Ricky Sanders.

What did Commanders’ DC think of Marshon Lattimore’s debut?

Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. weighs in on Marshon Lattimore’s debut.

Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt noticed some things he really liked in Marshon Lattimore’s debut last Sunday.

The Commanders traded for Lattimore a month ago, but his injured hamstring kept him from playing against Dallas and Tennessee before the bye week. So he debuted last week in New Orleans against his old team, the Saints.

“There was a couple things,” Whitt said. “He played with a lot of confidence. He communicated well. There was two reductions where he was the one, and he wasn’t supposed to be the one that led the communication on those reductions, but he did. And that was really positive to see.”

One reason GM Adam Peters went after Lattimore was his experience. The former Ohio State Buckeye had seen action in 97 NFL games prior to last week.

Another reason is Lattimore’s ball skills, he employs, playing defense. He sees the ball well, and he catches the ball well, intercepting 15 passes thus far, including two he has returned for touchdowns.

Whitt liked how Lattimore was also prepped well and ready, referring to “just the command that he had of the defense. And like I said, I give a lot of that credit to [Assistant Defensive Back Coach] William Gay because he was with him from day one, teaching him and being that mentor that we asked William to do with a lot of these guys. So, but I was just really pleased with the command that the young man had of his game.”

Of course, everyone on the defense, including the coaches, is well aware that this Sunday will be a greater test for Lattimore. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is completing 69 percent of his passes this season.

Hurts’ top two receivers, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, both have 56 receptions this season, and both have missed three games. Tight end Dallas Goedert and Saquon Barkley have also contributed 38 and 31 receptions, respectively.

Therefore, Whitt knows he will need a good game from Lattimore this Sunday.

Shannon Sharpe loves Commanders duo of Daniels & Kingsbury

Shannon Sharpe would take Daniels over the NFC East’s other quarterbacks.

Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe really likes what he sees in Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

This week on ESPN, Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith, and former Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi assessed Daniels’ place among NFC East quarterbacks.

Sharpe declared: “Guys, you all know I hate being a prisoner of the moment. But the way this young man is playing now, and the way Kliff Kingsbury is in his ear and dialing up the plays? You’re absolutely right I am taking him over anybody else in that division.”

“Oh, I get it. It is a college offense, and it’s very simplistic. Well, a lot more teams need to make their offense simplistic if it’s going to cause their quarterback to play like this young man is playing.”

“He’s more mature than you would think. He had 55 career starts in college. I think that has a lot to do with it, and he has Kliff Kingsbury. No matter what you think of Kliff as a head coach, Stephen A., Bruschi, you know, there’s no denying his offensive mind and his ability to coach quarterbacks.”

Sharpe then discussed how Kingsbury coached Johnny Manziel, Patrick Mahomes, and Kyler Murray.

“There’s no denying his ability to relate, and to get on their levels, and extract the best out of a quarterback. I absolutely, right now, would take Jayden Daniels over any other quarterback in that division.”

Here is a video of the segment of the panel statements

Stephen A. Smith would take Commanders’ QB over others in NFC East

Stephen A. Smith is high on Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.

A recent ESPN “First Take” segment featuring Stephen A. Smith, Tedy Bruschi, and Shannon Sharpe focused on Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’s early performance in his first four NFL games.

Smith wasn’t shy about praising Daniels over the other NFC East quarterbacks.

“I am rolling with Jayden Daniels. First of all, I’m not rolling with a guy like Dak Prescott, who’s had eight years to win a Super Bowl and can’t even win more than two playoff games in eight years. As far as I’m concerned, he has shown me what he is. He’s elite in the regular season but far from it in the postseason.”

“This brother (Daniels) brings me hope. Let’s understand something, 82.1 % completion percentage. Over their three-game winning streak, this man has scored on 22 of 24 of their drives over the last three games. Ten touchdowns, ten field goals, excluding kneel downs.”

Smith then referred to Dan Quinn saying he blew a 25-point lead in the Super bowl, but that he also got his team to the Super Bowl and concluded “he kinda knows what he is doing.”

Smith admitted then he had been down on Kliff Kingsbury, not thinking he had deserved a shot at an NFL head coaching job. He then said Kingsbury did not deserve to by pass a lot of other NFL coordinators to get that head coaching job with the Cardinals.

“But we all knows as a coordinator, he can call up some plays. We all know as coordinator he’s cultivated relationships with quarterbacks…and that’s going a long way. Now he is doing it with Jayden Daniels, because Daniels has raved about the level of communication they have with one another.”

Smith then recalled how much talk pre-draft was the number of hits Daniels took at LSU and how would he survive in the NFL “That’s not what he is doing. He is being smart, he’s running with the football, making plays with his legs. He’s certainly making plays with his arm.”

“We are looking at Washington being formidable, they could potentially win this division…The way this kid is playing, and the pieces he has around him, I like what I see.”

As if that wasn’t enough, Smith did his version of the NFL power rankings, and the Commanders were ranked No. 5.

Here is a video of the entire segment.

Where did Commanders’ Jayden Daniels rank in ESPN projections?

What will Jayden Daniels’ numbers look like in 2024?

ESPN released its projections for the top 2024 NFL Quarterbacks. Where would you project Jayden Daniels on such a list?

Providing their list of the top 40, they projected the outcomes of the upcoming season for each quarterback.

As for the NFC East, two quarterbacks were projected to be in the top ten. Spoiler Alert: Washington’s Jayden Daniels does not appear in the top ten, but he is projected to finish above one other quarterback in the division.

If you were told Daniels is going to be the 12th-best NFL quarterback in his rookie season, most Commanders readers would definitely take that projection.

Of course, the projections are impossible to predict, but for whatever it is worth, ESPN projects Daniels will complete 321 of his 513 passing attempts for 3,463 passing yards. He will throw 16 passing touchdowns and also throw 14 interceptions. He will rush for 584 yards on 106 attempts and five rushing touchdowns while also being sacked 41 times.

Jalen Hurts was projected as No. 1 overall, Dak Prescott as No. 6, and Daniel Jones as No. 25.

Former Washington Commanders quarterbacks Sam Howell and Carson Wentz were projected at Nos. 36 and 40, respectively.

The entire document lists projections for all 32 teams and each position and is entitled Mike Clay’s 2024 NFL Projection Guide. It is 80 pages in length, so if you don’t want to get lost in all of that data, here is how Clay projects his top 16 (top half) NFL Quarterbacks.

  1. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
  2. Josh Allen, Bills
  3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
  4. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
  5. Joe Burrow, Bengals
  6. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
  7. C J Stroud, Texans
  8. Anthony Richardson, Colts
  9. Aaron Rodgers, Jets
  10. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
  11. Brock Purdy, 49ers
  12. Jayden Daniels, Commanders
  13. Jordan Love, Packers
  14. Deshaun Watson, Browns
  15. Justin Herbert, Chargers
  16. Kirk Cousins, Falcons