Tag: RB Saquon Barkley (Giants)

4 reasons the Commanders should be concerned about the Giants

Four reasons the Commanders should be concerned about the Giants in Week 11.

Yes, we actually located four reasons the Commanders should be concerned about the Giants.

The Giants Pass Rush

The Giants came into the first game against Washington with only five sacks in six games. But somehow, some way the Giants defensive pass rush thoroughly embarrassed the Commanders throughout the game, recording six quarterback sacks for -52 yards.

Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale

His game plan of blitzes, zone blitzes and stunts so confused the Commanders in the first matchup, the Giants’ front seven absolutely controlled the line of scrimmage for almost the entire game. It was not until the final two possessions that the Commanders put together successful drives.

Saquon Barkley

Barkley is a physical specimen that continues to give the Washington defense trouble. In the first matchup of the two teams, Barkley carried the ball 21 times for 77 yards. He also caught three passes for 41 yards, including a short pass he turned into a 32-yard touchdown pass. Thus, Barkley gained 112 yards from scrimmage.

It is the NY Giants

In the NFC, it seems Washington matches up well with Philadelphia, and the Eagles then match up well against the Cowboys. The Cowboys crush the Giants, and the Giants get the best of the Commanders. Last year, the Commanders, on paper, were the better team, yet all they could manage was a tie and a loss. In the last ten games these teams have played, the Giants are 7-2-1 against Washington.

Commanders, Del Rio prepare for Saquon Barkley and Giants

Everything begins and ends with Saquon Barkley.

Jack Del Rio knows his team is facing a very dangerous running back this weekend.

At 6 feet and 232 pounds, the New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley is one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL. He has massive leg strength and is a great receiver out of the backfield, which could cause matchup problems for the Commanders’ pass defense.

On Thursday, in his weekly appointment with the media, Del Rio was asked about having had to prepare for such backs as Eagles RB D’Andre Swift, Falcons RB Bijan Robinson last week and now Barkley.

“All super talented,” Del Rio said. “Everybody has talent in this league, but that’s the way I’d answer that is they’re all super talented. They’re all a tremendous challenge. We prepare each week to face the one we’ve got. This week, we’ve got Saquon. He’s a heck of a player.”

Del Rio was then asked: What makes Barkley dangerous?

“It’s a combination. Everything everybody talks about. He’s explosive. His balance. His vision. Just a good football player.”

It was typical Jack Del Rio. Ron Rivera could take a lesson or two from Del Rio on how to respond to the media’s questions. Each week, Del Rio is direct and to the point, but he is absolutely not going to give you (or the upcoming opponent) anything regarding a game plan, nor anything technical.

Del Rio is very guarded, but he is also very consistent. You are not going to get any secrets from the former USC Trojan and NFL linebacker.

Even when Del Rio was asked to comment on the Commanders linebackers making some big plays last week against the Falcons, he acknowledged it, but no more.

“I thought it was a good day. We’d like to stack a few of those together,” he said.

Whether it’s Tyrod Taylor or Daniel Jones at quarterback Sunday, Del Rio acknowledged they both are athletic enough to make some things dangerous for the defense.

“(Taylor is) a good veteran quarterback, seen a lot, done a lot, has mobility. I think they can run their offense with either guy.”

“I think both guys are very capable. We’re putting a plan together, looking forward to going out and competing.”