“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
Cleveland 24, Washington 10 – Week 17, January 1, 2023
In what was perhaps Ron Rivera’s most revealing moment as Washington’s head coach, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Commanders 24-10 in Landover at FedEx Field.
Washington had been sitting in the sixth seed position with a 7-5 record when Rivera’s team suddenly went winless over the next four weeks. They tied the Giants, lost to the Giants, lost to the 49ers, and, on this day, lost to the Browns.
Rivera seemed to lose the team when he started Carson Wentz over Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke was the favorite of the team, of the coaches, of the fan base. Yet the truth is Heinicke struggled three consecutive games and Rivera really was attempting to stop the mudslide, beat the Browns at FedEx and make the playoffs.
But the Commanders came out lifeless for the game. It was inexplicable and inexcusable that the team played as they did that day.
Even more, following the disappointing and frustrating loss to the Browns, in the press conference, Grant Paulsen asked Rivera, “To clarify, you said you would talk about quarterback next week. If you guys are eliminated today by what happens at four o’clock, is Sam Howell in consideration?”
The Commanders had just fallen to 7-8-1 and, depending upon the final outcome of a 4:00 p.m. game, could be eliminated from the playoffs. So Paulsen asked if rookie Sam Howell might play in what would be a meaningless final regular season game.
Then the shocking moment occurred. Rivera paused, remained silent, moved his head to the side and asked Paulsen, “We can be eliminated?” Paulsen responded, “Yeah, if the Packers beat the Vikings, then you guys are eliminated.” Rivera, surprised, simply responded, “Ah.”
I certainly understand an NFL head coach not being aware of all the playoff scenarios with three games or perhaps even two games left to play. But when you only have one game remaining, how did he know they were in danger of being eliminated after the loss to the Browns? How had no assistant coach, scout, executive, or player not brought this up with Rivera all week?
It spoke volumes not only of Rivera’s lack of what was transpiring right in front of him but also that he had not led in managing the staff, to assign someone to inform him each of those last weeks of where the team stood in the playoff race.
It was also here that Rivera lost the confidence of many in the building and, now, the fan base in the DMV. 2023 turned out to be a lame-duck year for Rivera and the staff.
Washington had led 7-3 at the half when Deshaun Watson riddled the Commanders’ defense with touchdown passes in the second half of 46, 13, and 33 yards. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz struggled in the second half, and frankly, the Commanders crashed and burned when these two teams last met.